Liquid Yeast Starter

[derek224]

Was wondering if I should use a yeast starter with liquid yeast. If so how do I go about making one?

 

[DerekJ]

Most likely the answer is yes. You can use a calculator such as yeastcalc.com or mrmalty.com to determine what size starter you need. This will be determined by the viability of the yeast (calculated from the package date), the OG of the beer you are going to make, and your procedure for making the starter (oxygen, stir plate, etc.). You will then need to boil 100 grams of DME per litre of starter wort for about 10 minutes. Don't forget to add a little extra water to account for your boil off. Then cool the wort to pitching temperature and add your yeast. In about 24 hours your starter will be done. You can pitch the whole starter into your brew or if you have a few days until you brew put the starter in the fridge. The advantage to making it ahead of time is that you can decant (pour off the beer) and just pitch the yeast. Get your starter out of the fridge a few hours before it is needed, decant, and let it warm up to pitching temp.

 

[derek224]

Maybe a dumb question as I am new to this. When making the starter is the DME just the extract that I will use for the brew?

 

[DerekJ]

It is the same stuff but don't take it out of your recipe quantity. I always keep extra DME on hand just for making starters.

 

[Sulli]

How to make a yeast starter

a very simple process, and you will notice a marked improvement in your beers.

 

[derek224]

Thanks sulli from now on I will use a starter.

 

[derek224]

when I pitch the starter Can i pour the whole starter or do I need to get rid of some off the top? Does it Matter?

 

[derek224]

also what kind of DME should I use for the starter? If im brewing an oatmeal stout

 

[Sulli]

Depends on the size of your starter, and how picky you are about your recipe.

Personally I always decant, but some guys just dump the whole starter in.

I would recommend decanting anything larger than about 1 liter though, the spent wort from a starter tends to be pretty nasty stuff.

 

[Sulli]

Extra light DME will work for all styles.

 

[derek224]

thanks again you're awesome!

 

[Sulli]

DerekJ's recommendation to check out a yeast starter calculator is very sound advice. They can be helpful in understanding how yeast cell count relates to the volume of a starter.

Cheers.

 

[mike_in_ak]

How do you get the yeast out of your starter container after you decant? It sludges up, no?

 

[DerekJ]

When you decant you will want to leave just enough liquid behind so that you can swirl it around and pour the yeast out.