Putting a Starter on Hold Possible?

[superslomo]

I've been building up starter for a dubbel and a tripel, to start this weekend, but now with about two quart jars each of starter working away, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to brew this weekend. Given I might not have a chance for a few weeks, can I put these in the fridge like washed yeast, and re-start them later?

I'd hate to pitch all the work, but I don't know how long I can keep growing the starter at the moment... I don't think I can pitch a gallon of yeast starter

 

[superslomo]

to clarify: it's two SEPARATE starters, each now taking up most of two mason jars apiece.

 

[JaimeTheLimey]

Wyeast labs says you can store it in the fridge for up to a week without losing cell count. If your brew day is any farther out than that, just make a new starter a few days prior and pitch the refrigerated yeast onto it.
I would decant off the original starters so as not to dilute the new one. It's ok to pitch the yeast cold too.

 

[permo]

You can put the starters in the fridge for up to a Month and use them as usuall. As a matter of fact, I always put my starters in the fridge at least two days before brewing to crash all the yeast, decant the liquid and pitch COLD. Lag times are measured in hours this way...

 

[superslomo]

What do you retain when you decant? Is the sediment all yeast, or is it also starter trub to dispose of?

 

[permo]

The sediment is virtually all yeast...do not decant any of that.