Large Yeast Starter Containers

[drunkenmonk]

What do people use for large yeast starter containers? Has anyone built a Carlsberg flask out of a small Corny keg?

I mostly brew high gravity beers in 10 gallon sizes. I use a 2L flask and a stir plate for a yeast starter, but that's cutting kind of close to get enough yeast cells. Doing a 2 step starter seems like a pain. I could go up to a 4L flask, but I'm wondering if there's a better way.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

I have some flat bottomed glass 1 gallon jugs that work pretty well.

 

[drunkenmonk]

Do you boil in the jugs or transfer to them after boiling in a pot? I'm worried about boiling in glass that isn't Pyrex like flasks.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

I boil in a stainless stock pot, I have a glass top rather than gas so I don't boil any of my flasks anyway.

 

[drunkenmonk]

I was hoping to find a way to boil and ferment in the same vessel to reduce risk of contamination.

I guess no one is chiming in with their mini Carlsberg flask concepts. Kai has instructions for building one with a flask (http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=Yeast_Propagator). I'm just not that keen on using that large a glass flask (rather use stainless steel) and I think that's the limit of the size glass flask you can buy which probably limits you to 10 gallon batches if you're brewing lagers or high gravity ales.

 

[Pratzie]

Ive heard of a lot of people using a one gallon jug for this. Just make sure its got a nice flat bottom. The ones my LHBS sell are perfect, ive just never used one cuz I've never need a starter that my 2L flask couldn't handle.

Edit: Sorrydidn't see the second post here.