Making Starter Early

[donnelj]

I have a question about the timing of my yeast starter. Because of my schedule I need to make a starter today for a brew that I'm doing on Sunday. What are the potential problems with doing your starter too early?

 

[sloose]

I've made starters early before, left them on The stir plate for 2 days, then cold crashed and left it In the fridge. I then could decant off the liquid and pour pretty much pure yeast into the fermenter.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Making a starter early is better than making a starter too late. There's really no need to put it in the fridge if we're talking about a few days.

I generally prepare my starters on Wed or Thu when I brew on Sunday. Mind you, I use yeast that's been in storage for anywhere between 3 and 18 months.

MC

 

[duboman]

http://www.yeastcalc.com

Visit this site and plug in the numbers to find the proper pitch rate, you may find you actually need the extra time

I have a starter in my fridge right now that's been there almost a week, I was planning on brewing today but it's like 0 degrees outside so I am putting it off until tomorrow when it's going to be in the 30's and my water source won't freeze

IMO, if you make a starter and it sits for 2 weeks or more than it's time to get it re-started but a week or so is no big deal!

 

[donnelj]

Thanks for the help!