Yeast starter witout stir plate?

[starke20]

So their is probably a thread out there already, but their are over 16,000 threads to this topic so I'm just asking the question anyway. What is the best way to create a yeast starter without a stir plate? I can't seem to find a relatively inexpensive stir plate.

Thanks!

 

[gcdowd]

Stirstarters.com. The guy is an engineer and makes stir plates for real cheap. And he offers a lifetime warranty.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Well, you could make one yourself. Plenty of threads on here with instructions.

Or you can do it the way I do (since I haven't gotten around to making/buying one yet), and just shake it whenever you walk by. You'll need a bigger starter than having a stir plate, but it's still better than nothing.

 

[chessking]

1/2 cup DME per pint of water boiled and cooled. Just put in a big mason jar or growler w/ foil on top. Shake/ swirl to oxygenate and pitch. Swirl it up every time you walk by. Its not as efficient as a stir plate, but it works.

Edit: Ohrumphf has it right.

 

[FuBaR1218]

Can you put a bung and airlock on top of the growler instead of foil?

 

[Qhrumphf]

Can you put a bung and airlock on top of the growler instead of foil?

The idea is to provide oxygen so the yeast can multiply. That's why people use stir plates- constant aeration. Airlocks keep oxygen out. Foil lets it in while keeping contaminants out.

 

[TimpanogosSlim]

The idea is to provide oxygen so the yeast can multiply. That's why people use stir plates- constant aeration. Airlocks keep oxygen out. Foil lets it in while keeping contaminants out.

well, most contaminants. The odd really aggressive fruit fly may make it in.

if you have an oxygenation system, it should be possible to oxygenate the starter and then install the airlock, and still build a good starter.

natural atmosphere is about 20% o2, should be able to do better than that with hardware store o2, and then hope that enough of it gets mixed in?

 

[idigg]

I put a sanitized rubber band over foil on my starter flask, I'm always leery of those small fruit flies.

 

[Hernando]

I put a sanitized rubber band over foil on my starter flask, I'm always leery of those small fruit flies.

Wouldn't the rubberband also keep Oxygen out?

 

[DakotaRules]

This should help.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-shamelessly-cheap-12-diy-stir-plate-338695/

 

[Old-Ned]

Stirstarters.com. The guy is an engineer and makes stir plates for real cheap. And he offers a lifetime warranty.

I got mine from Bell's.

https://bellsbeer.com/store/products/StirStarter-%2d-Yeast-Starter-Stir-Plate.html