Yeast Starter?

[GABrewboy]

I have a question on doing a yeast starter? The last batch I did I used a liquid yeast but just pitched it right from the vial, but now after doing more reading, sounds like I need to do a starter before pitching. My question is though, how do you make a starter? I plan on one more batch doing grain/extract then going to all grain. I know you use wort to make the starter, but just not sure how to obtain this wort 2 days before I start my brewing.

 

[El Pistolero]

I have a question on doing a yeast starter? The last batch I did I used a liquid yeast but just pitched it right from the vial, but now after doing more reading, sounds like I need to do a starter before pitching. My question is though, how do you make a starter? I plan on one more batch doing grain/extract then going to all grain. I know you use wort to make the starter, but just not sure how to obtain this wort 2 days before I start my brewing.

Here are a few different ways to do it: starter FAQ

 

[GABrewboy]

Wow, great info El Pistolero!!!! Thanks so much........I think I will be doing starters from now on, starting with the last EG batch and moving forward to AG......

 

[GABrewboy]

Actually, one more quick question! When using the DME, can you by a 3lb bag and save it, or does DME go bad even if sealed?

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

try this one too http://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/Hi-Res/yeast-starter-kit.pdf
i buy the 1 lb bag, and get about three-4 starters out of it (for regular SG ales).
your beer will ove u for making it a starter! :~)

 

[GABrewboy]

Thanks again!! What a help you have been........

 

[El Pistolero]

Actually, one more quick question! When using the DME, can you by a 3lb bag and save it, or does DME go bad even if sealed?

I keep a 3 lb bag of DME for starters and priming. As long as you keep it dry it will last forever...I just keep it in a gallon ziplock.

 

[Kaiser]

After seeing a slow fermantation start for my first full wort boil, higher gravity and lager style beer (Winter Bock), I did some searching in this board and found some nice links on the subject. This article really opened my eyes:

http://www.maltosefalcons.com/tech/MB_Raines_Guide_to_Yeast_Culturing.php

Note how the author discurages the use of airlocks.

I'm now going to make starters for all my brews.

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

it's realy the only way to go. it just makes short lag times and a healthy ferment. i think you'll notice a difference.

 

[GABrewboy]

Okay, well I think I am more confused the more I read......geeshhh.....I thought golf had a lot of different ideas and methods. One place I read to use an air lock, next place says not to use an airlock, one place says use a beaker, next place says use a growler......so which is it? Is beer about like when I was a golf teaching pro, use whatever works for you?

 

[Rhoobarb]

Okay, well I think I am more confused the more I read...... One place I read to use an air lock, next place says not to use an airlock, one place says use a beaker, next place says use a growler......so which is it? ... use whatever works for you?

Whatever works for you.

Personally, I use a growler and an airlock. I have three growlers on hand, so that makes it easy for me. And, until I read this, I figured everybody used airlocks. I do. I've always had healthy starters and pretty quick ferments, so I don't plan to change my routine.

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

okay, i use an airlock, because to me, it's safer and most sanitary. pure option that's up to each individual brewer.
the benefit of using a pyrex flask is you can pour the hot wort right into it an chunk it in an ice bath w/out risk of it breakeing from extreme temperature changes. just don't use it to boil the malt extract. it'll boil over and make a mess. i know! i use the pyrex flask. i boil my dried malt extract and water in an enameled kettle, then pour it into my flask w/ a sanitized funnel. wrap foil over it and set it in an ice bath in the sink to cool ASAP. once cooled, i pitch my yeast.

 

[GABrewboy]

Thanks guys!! So where did you buy your pyrex flask from? I can't seem to find anything locally, only online. I guess I could get a growler if nothing else. So you just get the same kind of plug and airlock that you use on your primary and secondaries?

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

i got my starter kit from from Northern Brewer http://pivo.northernbrewer.com/nbstore/action/search-do?searchTerm=yeast+starter+kit&x=25&y=8
every thing you'll need. i got the 2000 ml flask for larger starter capacity.

 

[david_42]

Cheap pyrex They also have culture tubes that are a good size for yeast harvesting. I just purchased both items as well as a small SS funnel for putting cleaner into tubing and two "heat diffusers" that I'm planning on using in my lauter tun. The latter are formed from two perforated steel plates about 8" across, so I'll insert a tube between the plates.

The cork borers I purchased aren't quite big enough for a bubbler, though.

 

[Walker]

a local dairy farm sells quarts and half gallons of their products in nice, thick glass bottles here. The same rubber stoppers that fit in my carboys fit perfectly into these bottles as well, so I just use one of the 1/2 gallon bottles for starters.

granted, it's not pyrex, so I can't dump the hot starter wort directly into it, but I typically boil only half of the water for the starter, then add another 1 part of cold water to cool it. Then I just dump it right into the jug, put on the plastic cap that came with it, and shake the tar out of the mixture every now and then for a few hours before removing the cap and dropping the stopper/airlock.

Those milk bottles work great for me. Plus, I can always return it to the store and get my $1.50 deposit back at any time.

-walker

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

I'm probably the dirtiest person here, but after using airlocks for a while I've taken to just sanitizing the cap of my growler, screwing it onto my growler, then backing it off just enough to crack the seal. Then I drape some foil over it and let it ride...never had an infected starter yet.

 

[Darth Konvel]

If it makes you feel any better, I don't have a cap for my growler, so I just use foil

 

[Orfy]

I don't have a cap or foil or growler! I guess I'm realy dirty.

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

i'll edit my post, didn't mean to call anyone dirty..... ;^)

 

[Orfy]

I was joking! I don't do starters.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Well, my take is that the odds of some contaminant getting wafted around and up through the threads of my cap and into my growler are pretty slim. The foil is just for show. And I usually put my starter in the oven with a post-it note to not use it...haven't baked one yet, but since I have been known to wear two different socks to work I'm sure it's inevitable!

 

[Walker]

I have been known to wear two different socks to work I'm sure it's inevitable!

shucks, i came to work in my slippers once and didn't notice until I got out of the car in the parking lot.

-walker

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Did you go back home, or just go with it?

 

[Walker]

I just went with it. There were plenty of folks there who ran around in their socks (or even barefoot), so I was sure no one would mind (or even notice, really.)

I'm a geek in a cube. The places I work don't care what I'm wearing, provided I do my work and don't violate any public decency laws.

-walker

 

[Kaiser]

granted, it's not pyrex, so I can't dump the hot starter wort directly into it, but I typically boil only half of the water for the starter, then add another 1 part of cold water to cool it. Then I just dump it right into the jug, put on the plastic cap that came with it, and shake the tar out of the mixture every now and then for a few hours before removing the cap and dropping the stopper/airlock.

I'm pouring the hot wort into a regular (non-pyrex) growler. In order to avoid the shock I'm placing the empty growler into a pot with some water at the bottom. The growler actually sits on 2 chopstick pieces to leave some water below it. This pot is then heated untill the water, in which the growler sits, boils. I can then turn the heat off and pour in the boiling stater wort. I let all this chill on the counter.

I've done this a couple of times so far and didn't have any problems. I'm not sure If I have to worry about bacterial groth untill I can pitch some yeast into it.

And yes, I have been looking at the same 1/2 gal milk bottles too. But I already bought the 1 gal cider growler for making starters.

 

[Kaiser]

I'm probably the dirtiest person here, but after using airlocks for a while I've taken to just sanitizing the cap of my growler, screwing it onto my growler, then backing it off just enough to crack the seal. Then I drape some foil over it and let it ride...never had an infected starter yet.

I have been paranoid about infection too. But then I read that airborne germs cannot move on their own. And unless there is a draft into the bottle, they will not be able to enter the bottle when there is an aluminum foil cap on the bottle.

I just whipe the mouth of the growler with alcohol and hold the aluminum foil over the gas flame for about a second and place it on the bottle. Done

 

[homebrewer_99]

I do starters in growlers, but I use a paper towel draped over the opening and held into place with a rubber band. It's similar to an airlock.