Starter Question

[splat]

Ok, Ive never made a starter before...Ive been using white labs yeast, and I just shake it up and pitch it in....Here are my questions.

1. Can I make a starter in a 2 liter plastic pop bottle with "new" yeast, and only use 2/3 of it, then pour the rest into sanitized jars to save for more starters later?

2. What gravity, and how much DME should I use for 2 liters...I was planning on just mixing it up first and taking a hydro, then boiling it for 15 minutes, then cooling it and pitching...

3. Air lock, or Tinfoil on the top of the bottle?

4. Should I wait til I get no more bubbles to pitch, or do I want to pitch after a day when its bubbling well?

Thats all I can think of right now....Thanks in advance.

 

[Arneba28]

1. Yes just make sure there is only sanitized water mixed in with it.
2. MY starters I usually dont take a reading on..the one I did though was 1.05
3.Airlock or sanitized plastic wrap and a rubber band I like.
4. I step most of my starters up pretty big, so usually its still feasting pretty well when I pitch

 

[BierMuncher]

I'd say you make a bigger starter using the whole packet, then save off a bigger portion of that starter for later. You can always re-start that saved starter...but it will already be bigger in volume and your lag time will be less.

 

[splat]

I'd say you make a bigger starter using the whole packet, then save off a bigger portion of that starter for later. You can always re-start that saved starter...but it will already be bigger in volume and your lag time will be less.

when I said i would use 2/3, I meant use 2/3 of the starter...I would use all of the yeast I bought to make the starter, then only use 2/3 of that starter to pitch with...then take 1/3 to save....does this make sence?

 

[Bytor1100]

when I said i would use 2/3, I meant use 2/3 of the starter...I would use all of the yeast I bought to make the starter, then only use 2/3 of that starter to pitch with...then take 1/3 to save....does this make sence?

This should be just fine, just save it in a sterilized container in the fridge.

 

[html034]

2. What gravity, and how much DME should I use for 2 liters...I was planning on just mixing it up first and taking a hydro, then boiling it for 15 minutes, then cooling it and pitching...

I have read that starters should be between 1.030 and 1.040 in gravity

 

[splat]

I have read that starters should be between 1.030 and 1.040 in gravity

Ok...thanks.

 

[html034]

sorry:cross: , I believe that works out to 6 oz DME for 2 liters of water

 

[Yooper]

Well, I do 1/2 cup DME to 2 cups water. That means 1 cup DME to 4 cups of water, etc, for an sg of 1.040 or so.

 

[Blender]

The formula for starters that I got from "The Pope" is 1 gram DME for every 10 ml of wort. I has worked very well and is easy to calculate.