Would you use this starter?

[GLWIII]

Two weeks ago I began prepping a 3L starter (Cal 001) for a brew that I had hoped to make roughly five days after making the starter. I began with 1L, fermented that out, decanted and added 2L of wort and that fermented out nicely. As it turns out I missed my targeted brew day and will be lucky to brew this coming Sunday so we're looking at about three weeks.

Here's the question: I have the starter covered in foil. Am I at risk of oxidation since I don't have the starter completely buttoned up air tight? I plan on decanting before pitching so if there is any oxidation would that affect the yeast? As always, thanks in advance.

 

[tamoore]

Two weeks ago I began prepping a 3L starter (Cal 001) for a brew that I had hoped to make roughly five days after making the starter. I began with 1L, fermented that out, decanted and added 2L of wort and that fermented out nicely. As it turns out I missed my targeted brew day and will be lucky to brew this coming Sunday so we're looking at about three weeks.

Here's the question: I have the starter covered in foil. Am I at risk of oxidation since I don't have the starter completely buttoned up air tight? I plan on decanting before pitching so if there is any oxidation would that affect the yeast? As always, thanks in advance.

Is it in a fridge? If it has been, I think you're going to be OK. I'd actually think of pitching the yeast into a new starter, just to get it ready to go.

No risk of oxidation, btw. You don't need to worry about that until after the fermentation is complete.

 

[GLWIII]

Oops, yup, it's in the fridge.

 

[Bert1097]

Yeah, oxidation would be the least of your concerns. Consider what a stir plate is designed to do: continously introduce oxyegen to encourage yeast growth. I would decant, add some more wort, let that ferment out then pitch.

 

[SC_Ryan]

I'm in the same boat. I have a starter that has been sitting in the fridge covered in foil for two weeks. My bigger concern was contamination. Not sure weather I'm going to use it or not.

 

[CFuggles]

yeah foil is risky in the fridge. The fridge has a lot of interesting little guys in it sometimes. You'd be better off putting an air lock on it keeping it like a mini beer then using some of the trub to make another starter. Or dump into mason jar then fridge.

 

[SC_Ryan]

Yeah, originally it went in the fridge to be decanted and pitched the next day but plans changed. I put a double rubber band around the base of the foil to create a better seal but I'm still weary.

 

[ezerhoden]

Taste the beer, it is surely fine. I just did the same, pitched a two week starter and had activity in four hours. I decanted the beer and tasted the sample. Not bad for no hops and 36 hours of aeration on a stirplate.