Starter Behaviour Question

[Rodanrodanadana]

I smacked a Wyeast 2112 Californian Lager pack this morning, and after about six hours it had blown up like a puffer fish.

I boiled two liters of water with two cups of light DME for fifteen minutes, along with a pinch of that Wyeast yeast food.

This was placed into a sanitized 2 gallon glass jug/carboy and placed into a sink of cold water. When it was cooled, I actually may have cooled it lower than room temperature but not by much, I added the yeast. I gave it a good shake and put an airlock in the top.

It is now almost 12 hours later and I have seen no activity in the airlock. The surface has no bubbles, it is just smooth. Every three hours or so I have been shaking it.

There does appear to be some sediment on the bottom, but not much. I am not sure what it is. Perhaps some break from the starter wort rather than yeast.


Is this normal? What should I expect to see with this yeast?

Thanks
Rod.

 

[simzy]

I would say it's not too uncommon for a starter to take over 12 hours to have noticeable/active fermentation (especially if your temp was on the cold side). As for the sediment on the bottom is yeast, and it's to be expected to settle.

 

[Torchiest]

Absolutely nothing to worry about. The amount of activity in a starter can be very little. It may sit dormant for a while before anything noticeable. Just look for it to become a bit opaque, almost like coffee with creamer in it, within the next couple days. I've done a few starters, and one got going in a day, the other only got going after three days, right before I pitched it. RDWHAHB!

 

[boo boo]

When you are shaking it do you get airlock action? If so then it is slowly working.
You may not see krausen on a starter, but the gradual buildup of sediment on the bottom of your flask is the telltale sign of yeast.

 

[Rodanrodanadana]

Thanks guys. I used to think I was quite patient, but I am going to have to acquire a bit more patience It's no wonder that brewing is a good task for monks.

After 18 hours I have a bit of surface activity and the airlock is ticking over a few times per minute. There is also, what I consider, a large amount of sediment.