Yeast Starter Gravity?

[Armen_Tamzarian]

So I've read several different methods for doing a starter. I'm wondering how I can check/monitor the Specific Gravity of my starter. It seems that there is some simple math to figure out what it should be. However I'm wondering if I can physically check myself, say via hydrometer or refractometer.

Any other Yeast Starter tips would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure there's a lot of them on the site and I'll look, but any quick tips would be sweet. Thanks all!

 

[Shooter]

Sure, you can measure the gravity just like you do with your beer. I usually make a starter around 1.040 starting gravity.

 

[Armen_Tamzarian]

Cool. Everything I've read has had the commonality of, "this is essentially a mini batch of beer". So a refactometer would work for it? (I just got one and any jump at any excuse to use it)

 

[dcp27]

just remember a refractometer isn't accurate once fermentation begins and you need to adjust it due to the ethanol.

you can read these two articles for more info on starters
http://www.mrmalty.com/starter_faq.php
http://www.mrmalty.com/pitching.php

 

[Shooter]

just remember a refractometer isn't accurate once fermentation begins and you need to adjust it due to the ethanol.

you can read these two articles for more info on starters
http://www.mrmalty.com/starter_faq.php
http://www.mrmalty.com/pitching.php

Yep, a refractometer is fine, but you need to do the conversion.

 

[Armen_Tamzarian]

what is the refactometer conversion? I'm just interested in checking my og when I'm adding yeast/during this mini boil