yeast starters...newb question

[sipNswirl]

i have never made a yeast starter before because i have always used dry yeast until recently. I usually use LME but have some Dry that i think is a bit old, so i was thinking of using it for starters. I've been reading up on how to go about it but i have a question. if i use this DME to make 1 or 2 litre starter will it affect the taste of the beer at all? or is it just not enough volume to affect it?

thank in advance.

 

[mr x]

After you make the starter, let it settle in the fridge for a day. Then get rid of as much of that crappy starter beer as possible, and pitch the yeast when ready.

 

[sipNswirl]

good tip, thanks! so i should be thinking about a starter at least 2 days before brew day?

 

[McKBrew]

2 days is a good rule of thumb. 24 hours will produce a decent starter for a smaller beer. If you plan on stepping up to brew a high OG beer, you'll want to allow even more time.

 

[Nimrod3388]

What vessel is best to use for a starter? Will the remaining yeast cake be easy (liquid) to pitch? I will brew a maibock coming up so perhaps allow 3-4 days of yeast growth?

 

[Yooper]

Well, if you're making a maibock, a lager needs a much larger starter as a rule. Are you making it the traditional way, as a lager? I start my lager starters about a week before, build it up so I have tons of yeast and let it finish. After it's finished, I chill it until the wort on top is completely clear, and decant that spent wort, then put it out at room temperature until it's 45 degrees. Then I pitch that into 50 degree wort.

For ales, I just make a starter and pitch it when the wort is at 70 degrees or so.

 

[sipNswirl]

thanks all! once my Oatmeal Stout is done in the primary I will try to harvest the yeast for the first time, and use it to make a starter for my next batch. i appreciate everyone's help on this site...it's an amazing resource for home brewers and everyone really quick to offer advice to make things smoother....or just calm my nerves a little bit! cheers

 

[Nimrod3388]

My maibock will be a lager and based off of Papazian's recipe in book. A plastic 2 liter bottle will suffice?