First Yeast starter

[busta98]

I attempted my first yeast starter and I'm a little unsure as to how the big the yeast cake should be on the bottom to know when its ready. I used a 64oz growler when making. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[TipsyDragon]

assuming you made a big enough starter to begin with you will know its ready when the starter stops fermenting.

 

[busta98]

I didnt use an airlock I used foil. Anyway to tell when it stops? Also what do you mean by big enough starter..... The amount of yeast I used or the wort I used to make it? Sorry for the questions.....I'm a newbie at this

 

[BCNbeer]

I attempted my first yeast starter and I'm a little unsure as to how the big the yeast cake should be on the bottom to know when its ready. I used a 64oz growler when making. Any info would be appreciated.

Well, it depends on lots of things. What will be the OG of the beer your going to brew? Are you just trying to give the yeast a running start? If so, you could pitch the whole thing when its active (like within 12 hours). If you're trying to build up lots of yeast for a big beer, then you will need to make some more starter wort and feed to your yeast. I usually make my first starter (1/2 cup of DME with 2 cups of water) and wait a day and then make another starter, the same recipe and toss that in there. Make sure to mix it up often.

 

[TipsyDragon]

by big enough i mean the amount of wart used. there are plenty of calculators out there that will tell you how much starter you should use.

wait for the foam to fall back into the beer then take a good 'ol gravity reading. wait a day or so and take another. if they are the same then its done.