Starter Question

HomerT · May 2, 2006

I am making a 1/2 gallon starter tonight for an upcomming IPA. I already smacked the yeast pack and I was planing on brewing the IPA this weekend...however I may need to delay it due to some issues with my other brews (see Krausen thread). If I get the starter going tonight and let it ferment for a few days, then pop it in the fridge...how long will it stay? ALso, should I leave the air-lock on it..or replace it with aluminum foil?

-Todd

sonvolt · May 2, 2006

I would leave the airlock on. Also, I am not sure why you would need it in the fridge at all. Why not leave it out . . . like you would your fermenting beer? As long as it is ont left out for extended time, I wouldn't think that it would matter . . . IMHO.

HomerT · May 2, 2006

I was planning on putting it in the fridge to decant it. I only plan on pitching the slurry, not the whole jug.

-Todd

Baron von BeeGee · May 2, 2006

I like to crash mine in the fridge. It allows for easier decanting, and also settles the yeast while they're at peak activity and have completed the growth phase.

Walker · May 2, 2006

It'll last for a month easy. I saved half of a starter in a sanitized soda bottle with the intention of making another starter out of it later. But, when I got "The Urge" to brew and made up that brown ale that is in my sig, I just pulled the saved starter out and warmed it up to room temp. Then I pitched it directly into my wort.

That thing had been sitting in my fridge for about 5 weeks, I think.
It worked fine.

fa1321tx · May 2, 2006

decanting someone please explain?

homebrewer_99 · May 2, 2006

...pouring off the liquid...

Monster Mash · May 3, 2006

I just had a similar problem. I made a 1 gallon starter last Monday and I was going to brew on Friday but I got the flu so I had to postpone another week. I put it in the fridge and let the yeast drop out. I took it out on Sunday, decanted the liquid and added another 1 1/2 gallons of wort. I put it on the stirplate and I'll let it go until Thursday morning when I'll stick it back in the fridge for Friday's brewday.