How big of an Erlenmeyer flask do I need?
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jekeane
Well-Known Member
2l is generally fine for most ales. high gravity beers and lagers benefit from larger starters. I use my 5L flask for anything over 1.070 and all lagers.
I have a 2 Liter flask, and I like to overbuild my starters to harvest yeast. I often wish that I had a 5 liter flask.
Singletrack
Because it's judgement that defeats us.
I have both a 2 L and a 5 L. I haven't used the 2 L in years. Go big, IMO.
However... the 2 L fit in the fridge for cold crashing. I bought a 5 gal drink cooler for the 5 L. Well worth it to me.
I also make large starters and reserve a quart for the next batch. And I make 7+ gal batches, so that influences size for me.
However... the 2 L fit in the fridge for cold crashing. I bought a 5 gal drink cooler for the 5 L. Well worth it to me.
I also make large starters and reserve a quart for the next batch. And I make 7+ gal batches, so that influences size for me.
Another way to approach it is with a 2 liter flask and making stepped starters, decanting before the second step and any more steps.
http://www.yeastcalculator.com/
http://www.yeastcalculator.com/
http://www.woodlandbrew.com/2015/02/yeast-starters-stirred-vs-not.html
After you read the article you can decide better on the flask.
After you read the article you can decide better on the flask.
Definitely check out Cynmar before purchasing. I got a heavy duty wide-mouth 2L Pyrex (or some other brand of good borosilicate) flask for less than $20.
I find it's good to have a 250 ml flask too. It's great for stepping up bottle dregs or for step 2 after taking yeast off a slant.
I find it's good to have a 250 ml flask too. It's great for stepping up bottle dregs or for step 2 after taking yeast off a slant.
Same here. I've saved more money on yeast with my 5L flask than I thought I would. I buy yeast, make big starters and put 3-4 jars in the fridge for the next few brews. Drink and repeat!
Personally, I just have a 2L. It works fine for the vast majority of what I brew and fits in the fridge. That's really the limiting factor for me. I don't want liters of starter dumped into my wort, so I need to be able to cold crash it.
On the rare occasions that I need more yeast, I'll just reuse a chunk of yeast cake from a normal beer.
On the rare occasions that I need more yeast, I'll just reuse a chunk of yeast cake from a normal beer.
I have both a 2 and a 5 and I actually routinely use both of them. The 2 is great for my picobrew, especially since it takes up less space in my fridge while cold crashing, while the 5 gets used every time I'm making up yeast for my 10 gallon batches. I also use both in succession when stepping up yeast from a slant/harvested from a bottle, along with a mason jar for the first couple of steps.
petrolSpice
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Get the 5L. A 2L flask doesn't fit a 2L starter very well. And with a big beer you will need at least 2L starters.
Stepped starters would work, but what a pain...
Stepped starters would work, but what a pain...
I agree with this, the best I can do in a 2L flask is 1.5 without it blowing yeast everywhere, and even then, it can still makes a mess.
ahawk
Member
I'm still happy with my 2L Simax flask and I do 5 gal batches. But hey, I'm still a newbie, so I might be wrong 
imasickboy
Drinkasaurus extraordinarius
Don't you guys use fermcap? I can do a 2L in a 2L flask with no blowoff. When I forget, however, umm, yeah. Big freaking mess.
I guess it depends on what kind of brewing you do. I make almost exclusively average gravity beers, so I almost never need more than 1L of starter. The rare lager I make gets 34/70.
If you make bigger beers or lagers with liquid yeast, then the big flask makes sense.
If you make bigger beers or lagers with liquid yeast, then the big flask makes sense.
I find that my 2L is plenty. I do larger starters - 2l or less 75% of the time. 20% are for my frozen yeast that start from 5ml samples. These have to be stepped. The remaining 5% are stepped from packs/vials and need to be big for lagers and high gravity ales. I don't need a 5L for the 5% of the starters that I make that could be in one.
That said, I would like to have one for those occasions....
That said, I would like to have one for those occasions....
imasickboy
Drinkasaurus extraordinarius
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JG2ZSPK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
On sale for 12.95 right now. Free shipping if you have Prime. I just bought a second.
On sale for 12.95 right now. Free shipping if you have Prime. I just bought a second.
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I have a wide mouth flask. Easier to pour stuff in without a funnel. I know the purpose of the Erlenmeyer is to reduce contamination risk with the narrow mouth, but the wider mouth has never led to an infection IME.
ahawk
Member
Narrow. I thought that was the norm. I use a funnel to pour in the starter and sanitized tin foil to cover the opening.
UndeadFred
Well-Known Member
2L is okay for most ales. 5L is needed for lagers. Do youself a favor and use a small stainless non-clad bottom stock pot with a lid instead of that $60 5L flask. I'd almost recommend that for 2L flasks as well, but they are cheap enough.
As long as the vessel is flat bottom and non-magnetic is works fine. You can buy a gallon or two pot at a dollar store that will work, or certainly a cheap department store. If it doesn't come with a lid, then use a glass plate from your kitchen as the lid... This is what I do when I make 5+L starters (you can go bigger this way and that's more better, dontcha know)...
As long as the vessel is flat bottom and non-magnetic is works fine. You can buy a gallon or two pot at a dollar store that will work, or certainly a cheap department store. If it doesn't come with a lid, then use a glass plate from your kitchen as the lid... This is what I do when I make 5+L starters (you can go bigger this way and that's more better, dontcha know)...
UndeadFred
Well-Known Member
...and by the way.. step starters are not that bad if you plan a week in advance... I like to cold crash and ixnay the starter beer anyway, ESPECIALLY on lagers...
Sourz4life
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I use wide mouth for things like Brett and Sacc since oxygen helps promote growth but I use narrow for Lacto/Pedio so I can more easily keep oxygen out with a stopper.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JG2ZSPK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
On sale for 12.95 right now. Free shipping if you have Prime. I just bought a second.
I just ordered it!!! I hope it's a good brand!
Can't wait to grow yeast!!
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I have a 2 liter and a 4 liter flask. I use the 4 liter all the time for my 11 gallon batches. I make 2.5 liter starters and up, depending on the gravity. The 4 liter also still fits on my stir plate, which helps in that I didn't have to buy another bigger one. This is what works for me....
John
John
