How to Determine Starter Size?

[mrgrimm101]

Ok so I've been looking into creating starters, but I'm not getting how to decide how much wort to prepare. I bought a 1000ml Erlenmeyer flask, but now I fear that it will be too small to be effective.

I also have a 64 oz growler and a 1 gallon glass carboy at my disposal, so I might use one of those. I can make a liter starter and let it go, but how do I know if that will be big enough? I was also reading into 2 stage starters, where the starter finishes, then I decant the 1st starter and add new wort to the yeast to create a 2nd starter. I understand that this will increase the yeast cell count, but how do I know how much it will increase?

I've been looking at yeast cell charts that explains how many cells I want for specific gravity beers.

For example, I'm looking at a Scotch Ale recipe I put into Beersmith. It has an OG of 1.081 and if I'm figuring the yeast starter right, it says a 4qt starter with 2 packs of yeast.

I also have an IPA with an OG of 1.066 and it says a 3qt starter.

Does this seem right? Sorry for the vague, uninformed post..but if any of you wonderful HBTers could help me out that would be much appreciated.

 

[jwalker1140]

Your first stop should be the 'Articles' section on the mrmalty.com website. There are two yeast starter articles that should answer all your questions, and then some. Next, go to the 'Yeast Tools' section and click on 'Yeast Pitching Rate Calculator' to determine how big your starter should be depending on the size and OG of your batch and the age of your yeast. Happy reading!

 

[flars]

A 1000 ml flask will be on the small side unless you use it for stepped starters. Here are links to two starter calculators that also feature stepped starters.
http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/
http://www.homebrewdad.com/yeast_calculator.php

Mrmalty is a basic calculator, but is also useful for pitching harvested yeast. I find Mrmaltys' viability with age calculation is very conservative. Brewers Friend and Hombrewdads' yeast viability calculators more useful.
http://www.mrmalty.com/yeast-tools.php


Any container can be used to make a starter. The base just needs to flat, for using a stir plate, to keep the stir bar from being thrown. Gallon jugs or large pickle jars are great for the intermittent shake method. With the IS method, the more often you shake to aerate, the sooner the ferment will finish.

 

[SavoryChef]

Www.Yeastcalculater.com

 

[mrgrimm101]

Your first stop should be the 'Articles' section on the mrmalty.com website. There are two yeast starter articles that should answer all your questions, and then some. Next, go to the 'Yeast Tools' section and click on 'Yeast Pitching Rate Calculator' to determine how big your starter should be depending on the size and OG of your batch and the age of your yeast. Happy reading!

Thank you I think this is what I was looking for. Ive been reading in my copy of How to Brew.. but maybe I was missing something

 

[singybrue]

Sorry to tell you, but your 1000ml flask isn't big enough. A 1000ml starter is better than just a smack packs worth, but a 2000ml flask can cover most of your needs. especially if you are pulling off 500ml each time for the next beer.

 

[lhommedieu]

I started with a 2L flask for ales and found that it was just big enough. I'm using a 5L flask for lagers and like the extra space. To make a 10 gallon batch of 1.058 pils I needed to step up my 43% WL 802 three times with 3.5 L of wort. Sometimes bigger is better...

 

[mrgrimm101]

Ha i figured. Would a gallon carboy be overkill? I already have 1. Ideally I want a larger flask and stirplate

 

[lhommedieu]

Just make sure that it's sterile before adding sterile wort and yeast. Cover loosely with sterile tin foil. The reason that I like the 5L flask is that I can bring the wort to a 10 minute boil and the steam will sterilize the foam stopper on top. I leave it over night on the stove top and by morning it's cold enough to pitch. You don't need a stir plate if you give you starters enough time between steps but I agree that they're nice to have. Mine is busted and going in for repairs so I'm shaking when I can and that works fine.

 

[mrgrimm101]

I have an electric, glass top stove. I was reading that I cant boil in the flask without a gas stove..

 

[lhommedieu]

I don't know. Surface to surface contact, maybe? You could always use a small propane stove. Probably cheap on eBay.

 

[mrgrimm101]

My plan was to boil it in a separate small kettle and then add it to the flask or carboy after that. I watched a video from Northerbrewer where they said that works.

 

[lcbjr77]

My plan was to boil it in a separate small kettle and then add it to the flask or carboy after that. I watched a video from Northerbrewer where they said that works.

That's how I do all my starters. I boil the DME in a saucepan then transfer it over. If you use the flask right on the glass top of the electric range it will break the flask