yeast starter=pain

[scrapes]

First mistake was your DME ratio... it's 10:1 (10ml water to 1g DME).
There are 453.5 grams in a lb.
You used a half pound, so 227 grams.
That is enough to do 2.27 liter starter. You did a .9 liter starter... that's why it foamed over.

Second mistake was not checking the OG of the starter... it should be 1.040.

Third mistake was using a bubbler... like others have said, it's unnecessary, and not suggested. Use foil.

so my LHBS may have been a little short on directions

 

[scrapes]

I made the same mistake when I bought my 1000mL erlenmyer flask last weekend. 1/2lb of the wrong bag of DME in 800mL of boiled & cooled water. Took a few days & cold crash to decant & use. Won't use but a fraction of that next time.

so you won't be using as much DME? in 800 ml? One question runs into two more.

 

[acidrain]

so my LHBS may have been a little short on directions

Ha, wouldn't be the first time.
Personally, I'd go back and let 'em know... that was just wrong. Obviously, they are in the business of selling DME.

 

[helibrewer]

Just like with "regular" fermentation, starters only need the O2 up to the point of ethanol production, once that starts there is no benefit at all to air or O2, so if you are seeing fermentation activity there is nothing wrong with an airlock or blowoff tube. If you use pure O2 up front there is nothing wrong with an airlock right away.

Using FermCap I can run a 2L starter in a 2L flask no problem. I have 2 of them and 2 stir plates so if I split a vial between them it is the same as doing a single 4L starter.

I heat the starter wort to 180 then shut the burner off and time for 10 minutes. This allows plenty of time for the pasteurization process and also allows me to cool the starter faster (flask(s) in an ice bath).

 

[kaconga]

Just like with "regular" fermentation, starters only need the O2 up to the point of ethanol production, once that starts there is no benefit at all to air or O2, so if you are seeing fermentation activity there is nothing wrong with an airlock or blowoff tube. If you use pure O2 up front there is nothing wrong with an airlock right away.

Using FermCap I can run a 2L starter in a 2L flask no problem. I have 2 of them and 2 stir plates so if I split a vial between them it is the same as doing a single 4L starter.

I heat the starter wort to 180 then shut the burner off and time for 10 minutes. This allows plenty of time for the pasteurization process and also allows me to cool the starter faster (flask(s) in an ice bath).

The yeast use the oxygen for sterol formation which is a vital component of yeast reproduction. If you can get enough dissolved O2 at the beginning then no worries on the airlock. However if you are a cheap lazy person like me then you just toss it on the stir plate with foil and enjoy a beer.

To the OP: I used to hate making starters because I didn't enjoy the extra three steps before brew day. Now I love making them because I developed a system which works for me. It is like a countdown to each brew day.

 

[helibrewer]

The yeast use the oxygen for sterol formation which is a vital component of yeast reproduction. If you can get enough dissolved O2 at the beginning then no worries on the airlock. However if you are a cheap lazy person like me then you just toss it on the stir plate with foil and enjoy a beer.

To the OP: I used to hate making starters because I didn't enjoy the extra three steps before brew day. Now I love making them because I developed a system which works for me. It is like a countdown to each brew day.

True, my point was that once there's krausen there is no more benefit to O2, in fact O2 can take the yeast down the glycolysis pathway instead of alcoholic fermentation. I realize we're not making beer but we do want healthy yeast that will eventually make beer

 

[scrapes]

After reading these replies, I'm a bit aggravated with my HBS and the lousy advice, will the large amount of DME I used affect the finished product? A screw up?

I think my next batch is going to be a simple wheat beer, I have a lot to learn.

 

[duboman]

After reading these replies, I'm a bit aggravated with my HBS and the lousy advice, will the large amount of DME I used affect the finished product? A screw up?

I think my next batch is going to be a simple wheat beer, I have a lot to learn.

Chalk it up to learning, good advice through the thread and no, you made a starter and your beer will be better for it regardless.

BTW, even an easy wheat beer made with liquid yeast will still require a starter

 

[scrapes]

thanks duboman, thats what I figure, its all learning, a process.

 

[scrapes]

Just a follow up, the OG was 1.060 is currently 1.016, its fairly clear, smells great, and yea the sample was tasty. A few more days and into the bottles.

Beer happens, its wonderful.

 

[2005STi]

I pour the wort from the pan straight to the flask then cool the flask down. I run the flask under hot water before transfering just to avoid temp shock to the flask. The flask is easy then to immerse completely in a bath.