Replacement for yeast beakers?

[BobOki]

So I saw this item on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MW97ERY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

And I am wondering if this would be a nice replacement for more aggressive starters? I mean, it has gotten both a bubbler and a seal cap. What you guys think?

 

[kev211]

So I saw this item on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MW97ERY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

And I am wondering if this would be a nice replacement for more aggressive starters? I mean, it has gotten both a bubbler and a seal cap. What you guys think?

With your standard mason jar, I dont think theyre any bigger than a 2L Erlenmeyer flask. Also, with a yeast starter you want the yeast to get oxygen so the airlock/bung setup is not a good idea for propagating yeast

 

[BobOki]

Ahhh learning.... <3

 

[kev211]

Ahhh learning.... <3

Figured

Thats why people use stir plates during started because it keeps the yeast in suspension and also lets the have a constant supply of oxygen. With a yeast starter your better off covering the opening with a sanitized piece of foil just to keep bugs and such from falling in

 

[BobOki]

Yeah, I got my 2L beaker and just got my stir plate too. My next batch, a chocolate stout will be my first time using a starter.

 

[wilserbrewer]

While a flask and stir plate is best, you can make a yeast starter in just about any jar or bottle / growler. Swirl it up a few times a day or as often as possible.

Rather than a 2L starter, I have done a 1 gallon batch of small beer as a starter, at least you get some beer and yeast for your effort

 

[RM-MN]

Please explain to me how your yeast get a constant supply of oxygen when you put your Erlenmeyer flask on the stir plate and put a foil over the opening. As soon as that yeast starts producing CO2 there is such a large amount of that escaping around the foil that no oxygen will be getting in. If you remove the foil it might but then you are exposing your starter to bacterial contamination.

 

[meridianomrebel]

Please explain to me how your yeast get a constant supply of oxygen when you put your Erlenmeyer flask on the stir plate and put a foil over the opening. As soon as that yeast starts producing CO2 there is such a large amount of that escaping around the foil that no oxygen will be getting in. If you remove the foil it might but then you are exposing your starter to bacterial contamination.

The foil doesn't create an airtight seal. If it did, then you'd see the foil try to expand and eventually rip/split. It's not at all like an airlock which would prevent anything from getting in.

 

[RM-MN]

The foil doesn't create an airtight seal. If it did, then you'd see the foil try to expand and eventually rip/split. It's not at all like an airlock which would prevent anything from getting in.

Right, I understand that but when the yeast are at the peak of reproduction are they not creating enough CO2 that even without that foil sealing would the excess CO2 not keep the oxygen from getting in.

 

[sky4meplease]

Right, I understand that but when the yeast are at the peak of reproduction are they not creating enough CO2 that even without that foil sealing would the excess CO2 not keep the oxygen from getting in.

I would speculate that the wide opening of the typical flask allows for better transfer of O2 and CO2.
Also, it would seem that atmospheric O2 would work its way into the starter wort via the stir plate action until peak yeast activity when out gassing overtakes the chance for incoming O2. So for a substantial amount of time O2 is able to be worked into solution.
The enormous increase in cell reproduction on the stir plate substantiates this in my opinion.

 

[muels]

Please explain to me how your yeast get a constant supply of oxygen when you put your Erlenmeyer flask on the stir plate and put a foil over the opening. As soon as that yeast starts producing CO2 there is such a large amount of that escaping around the foil that no oxygen will be getting in. If you remove the foil it might but then you are exposing your starter to bacterial contamination.

Yeast use the O2 to reproduce. The bulk of the CO2 is produced during fermentation. Starters are not for fermentation, they are for reproduction. The oxygen is needed at the beginning. After 12-36 hours (ish) your starter has run its reproductive course.

 

[sky4meplease]

To the OP... I think you will find folks in this hobby use a lot of different vessels for propagating yeast.
I personally have flasks from 50ml - 3,000ml, half gallon jugs, 1 gallon jugs and two gallon buckets all used for starters with varying degrees of success and all of them fit on my stir plate.
Having a large enough hole on top to facilitate gas exchange, ability to hold a stir bar and sit on a stir plate are important characteristics.

 

[BobOki]

Yup, that's why I posted it. I figured someone who does more aggressive yeast might need it.

 

[pablosbrewing]

The foil doesn't create an airtight seal. If it did, then you'd see the foil try to expand and eventually rip/split. It's not at all like an airlock which would prevent anything from getting in.

The whirlpool of the wort causes a "cyclone" of gas above it, constantly mixing (air) O2 from the top of the flask in.

 

[emcfarden]

For my starters I have just been using an extra 1 gallon plastic water jug with foil over the top. This has worked great for me thus far so I don't see myself purchasing a stir plate or anything. I just give it a good swirl every time I walk past it on the counter. My fermentation was going crazy this morning from a batch I just brewed last night.

I think any container works fine as long as its large enough and sanitized well. Obviously clear is preferred so you can see all the action inside.