cladinshadows
Well-Known Member
Is a shot of pure O2 at the start beneficial for stirred yeast starters?
My typical starter method is to boil up some starter wort in an Erlenmeyer flask, chill it down to the 60s F, and pitch the yeast. At that point I will either just start the stir plate or I will add a 5-10 second shot of pure O2 and then start the stir plate.
Is the shot of O2 helpful? Is there a risk of overoxygenation using that method? Is there a risk of underoxygenation if the shot of O2 is not provided?
I know from experience that both methods can produce great beer, and "if it ain't broke...", but I am curious about opinions on the absolute best, most optimal method to employ. One of my "Brew Year's Resolutions" is to really dial in my oxygenation process (which includes my shiny new oxygen regulator and not-as-shiny-but-still-new oxygen tank).
Bonus question: if you were to oxygenate a starter, how much would you add? My method has been to essentially ratio down the quantity I provide in a normal batch. Typically I go with 90 seconds at 1L/min into a 20L batch. That would equate to about 7 seconds at 1L/min in a 1.6L starter.
My typical starter method is to boil up some starter wort in an Erlenmeyer flask, chill it down to the 60s F, and pitch the yeast. At that point I will either just start the stir plate or I will add a 5-10 second shot of pure O2 and then start the stir plate.
Is the shot of O2 helpful? Is there a risk of overoxygenation using that method? Is there a risk of underoxygenation if the shot of O2 is not provided?
I know from experience that both methods can produce great beer, and "if it ain't broke...", but I am curious about opinions on the absolute best, most optimal method to employ. One of my "Brew Year's Resolutions" is to really dial in my oxygenation process (which includes my shiny new oxygen regulator and not-as-shiny-but-still-new oxygen tank).
Bonus question: if you were to oxygenate a starter, how much would you add? My method has been to essentially ratio down the quantity I provide in a normal batch. Typically I go with 90 seconds at 1L/min into a 20L batch. That would equate to about 7 seconds at 1L/min in a 1.6L starter.