First Starter

[Bru]

My first starter with 1084 Irish Ale. Im using a stir plate.
The first potential issue I had was the packet didn't swell - I gave it 24hrs.
How do I tell if the starter has fermented ? Do I take an FG reading before pitching ?
I assume one way is to see if there is cake on the bottom of the flask when I crash cool before pitching ?

 

[kingkobra]

Id give it a good 3 days and if it dosent start bubbling then id start over

 

[TexLaw]

If there is viable yeast in the smackpack and the starter ferments, you'll be able to tell. You'll either see the fermentation (or smell it, if you get very close to the opening of the starter vessel) or you'll see the product of the fermentation (i.e., the cake that you mentioned). If you have the stir bar still going, you won't have a cake, but you will notice that the starter is much cloudier than it used to be.


TL

 

[Revvy]

Of over a dozen starters with tubes, smack packs or bottle harvesting, I have ever only seen one Krauzen or "activity ring."

All that really matters is that creamy band o yeast at the bottom.

That one is cold crashed, but even if it is a t room temp, you should see the sediment in the bottom. I use a stirplate, but usually stop it a few hours early to let it settle.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bru]

By this morning starter was clearly fermenting. Im suprised it took so long to get going - I was under the impression it would be finished in 24hrs.