Yeast starter explosion...

[Mike-H]

So, I have read of a few of you boiling your starter directly in the flask. Well I have tried this twice and neither method works "well enough" for me and I really want to do this.



The first method went from measuring cup to boiling water (heat off). This caused a mess of the flask and it was hard to "get it all down".

The second time I used a funnel to pour it right down and POOF! The whole thing exploded on me (this happened 2 minutes ago!).

So for those who boil in the flask, how are you adding your DME?!?

 

[user 4295]

I use a dry flask so nothing gets stuck in the neck. I weigh out the DME on a flexible plastic cutting board that my wife has. I use a 10:1 ratio of water to DME.

If I want to make a 2500 ml starter, I just weigh out 250 grams of DME, fold up the plastic cutting board and let it slide into the neck of the flask. Then I add water until I get to a final volume of 2500 ml. I swirl it around to get it as dissolved as I can before I put it on the heat.

John

 

[clayof2day]

Devils Advocate: Why don't you just boil it in a pot and pour it into your flask?

 

[Desert_Sky]

i fill with water to desired height, then use a dry funnel and pour the DME into the flask.

 

[homebrewer_99]

i fill with water to desired height, then use a dry funnel and pour the DME into the flask.

Same here...swirl until dissolved...then add to heat...

 

[Jsin]

I have a magnetic stir plate/hot plate. So I dump the DME in then the water, hit the stir switch wait 5 minutes and, turn the heat knob. After the boil I turn the heat off and wait for 70 C. Then add yeast and come back in 24 hours.

 

[anthrobe]

Devils Advocate: Why don't you just boil it in a pot and pour it into your flask?

I am with you. I just boil in a small pot. Once done, cover with foil and put in the fridge until 70 degrees. The just use a small funnel and pour into my growler.

 

[Focus]

I have a magnetic stir plate/hot plate. So I dump the DME in then the water, hit the stir switch wait 5 minutes and, turn the heat knob. After the boil I turn the heat off and wait for 70 C. Then add yeast and come back in 24 hours.

Can you boil the stir sticks. I wouldn't want it to melt in the flask and ruin the starter.

Or do you get it out before boiling?

Focus

 

[dantodd]

stir stick should have no problem with hot-plate temperatures. Also, you don't really need to boil your starter, a good pasteurization should suffice.

 

[Jsin]

I just boil the stir stick in the starter. The stir sticks I have came with the stir plate/hot plate unit from the labs. My father bought them 15 years ago and had them sitting in the basement. I got them from him when I started brewing and have used them that way ever since. :rockin:

 

[Brewer3401]

Use an erleymeyer flask. Add DME before adding water. Put a couple of drops of silicone antifoam. Boil for 15 minutes (10 uncovered - 5 covered with aluminum foil.)
If you need quick, put in small pot of hot water, then start adding ice. Will cool down within 10-15 minutes.