yeast starter from liquid malt

[nolordsnoleaders]

I am going to attempt my first lager (pilsner really) with the bathtub method for the primary and my keg fridge for the secondary.

For some reason I have never made a yeast starter and have always made good beers, For this however I will make my first starter. I have LME and no DME so what kind of ratio should I use for the starter. I researched the board a bit before posting and found one post recommending 3 cups of water to 1/3 cup LME and one recommending 3500ml of water to 500ml of LME. Quite a difference.

Please shed me some light.

I am using wyeast czech pils 2278

Thanx and cheers!

 

[nolordsnoleaders]

Also I plan on buying some DME next time I have the chance. Does the DME need to match the beer when I make a starter?
Example- If I am making a wheat beer could I use a dark or amber DME or do I need to use a wheat DME?

 

[Dave258]

I usually make about a 2 liter starter. I use 8 cups of water to 2 cups of DME.
When substituting DME for LME the ratio is 80%. That said, I would add 20% more LME to any directions you find for making a starter with DME.
I think that would work.

 

[biochemedic]

In terms of your second question, I don't think it matters what type of beer your making...you can use any barley based fermentable for your starter (ie, regular DME or LME, or a simple mash with a little 2-row). You don't necessarily need to use wheat malt extract (which is really a blend of wheat and regular malt) for a wheat beer.

The concern is if you're making a starter for one type of brew, and using a different sugar source for the starter; ie, using sugar for a beer starter or DME for a mead starter. The yeast does adjust for the dominant type of fermentable it's exposed to, so for beer, use malt, for mead, use honey, etc., etc.

Regarding how much you need to make a starter, basically you want a simple wort that's got an OG of ~1.040...whatever volume of LME gets that in your chosen volume of liquor for your starter...

 

[a10t2]

I usually make about a 2 liter starter. I use 8 cups of water to 4 cups of DME.

IIRC, a cup of DME weighs about 5 oz, and if that's right you're making a 1.108 starter. You probably want to cut back to about a third that much.

Using LME, it would be about 1 oz per cup of water - 120 g per L. No idea what that would be as a volume though, and it would probably vary from one manufacturer the next anyway.

 

[Dave258]

IIRC, a cup of DME weighs about 5 oz, and if that's right you're making a 1.108 starter. You probably want to cut back to about a third that much.

Using LME, it would be about 1 oz per cup of water - 120 g per L. No idea what that would be as a volume though, and it would probably vary from one manufacturer the next anyway.

Sorry, I wrote that wrong. I use 8 cups of water to 2 cups of DME. I will edit my original post.

 

[nolordsnoleaders]

Cool thanx!

Some more questions is it recommended to use a starter with dry yeast as well as liquid.

Also I am thinking of using brewvint yeast fuel. What are others experience with it, and would it make sense to use yeast fuel and a starter? Or should I just use one or the other?

 

[Pondrat]

I'm not sure why no one answered this already or if anyone is reading this thread anymore, but in response to your first question, no it's not recommended to use a starter with dry yeast. First, the dry yeast already has enough cells for recommended pitching rate (and if more is needed, just add a second pack). Secondly, a yeast starter with dry yeast will deplete the dry yeast of the nutrients intended to kick start it that's included with the cells in the pack. Some recommend to at least rehydrate the dry yeast but we always just sprinkle it on and have never had a problem.