Yeast Starter... Flask?

[BEE-52]

About to start a braggot, and this will be my first recipe utilizing a yeast starter. I'm fairly certain I understand the process but I have a question about the flask.

Specifically, do I really need a flask? Aside from the graduated markings, ability to heat on a gas stove (which I don't have) and compatibility with stir plates (which I also don't have) is a flask really more preferable than, for example, a 1/2 or 1 gallon jug?

It seems to me that I could use a number of other vessels for this purpose, but I'd like to be certain before shooting myself in the foot.

 

[BryceL]

You can definitely use other vessels such as a growler, that is what I used before getting a flask. You just have to take the extra step and sanitize it. The other plus about a flask is that you can use it in combination with a stir plate, allowing for an increase in oxygen and smaller starter size.

 

[Jaybird]

You can use anything you can sanitize. We sell a kit in the store called a Yeast Beast http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/product337.html that uses a Ball Jar so you can heat sanitize the jar with the boiling wort, seal it up till its cooled to pitching temps creating a vacuum, I like that I can cool the wort under vacuum without the chance of outside infections getting in. It works killer and there is no reason you cant do something like that. Just try and keep the wort to about 1.038 - 1.040 and rock-n-roll...

Hope that helps

Cheers
Jay

 

[brent77]

$15 for a ball jar?

 

[Jaybird]

$15 for a ball jar?

ha ha ha.. No a not at all. It comes with a ball jar, 1 drilled lid with grommet, 1 solid lid, the ring, an airlock a neoprene cover and a starter pack. All stuff you can put together yourself for sure.

Cheers
Jay

 

[BEE-52]

I suppose that clears it up then. Sanitation isn't a hassle for me, and I figured I could put a jug or two to good use rather than buy another set of toys to play with.
Thanks guys.

 

[jrgtr42]

I just use an old growler (cleaned and sanitized, of course) for my starters.
I do the boil in a 2qt pot on the stove, I usually let it boil about 15 minutes.
I toss the yeast nutrient in the starter, not my main brew.
I also do not bother with a stir plate - I just keep it in a dark pantry in the kitchen and give it a swirl or 2 whenever I walk by it.

 

[MaxStout]

If using a container not made from heat-resistant glass, be sure to let the wort cool in the pot before pouring it in. It doesn't have to be chilled to room temp, just cooled enough so that it won't thermal shock the container. You don't want a broken growler and boiling wort all over the place.