| Author |
Message |
    
Michael Dransfield
New Member
Username: Mdransfi
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2011
Posted From: 209.191.144.12
| | Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 04:32 pm: | 
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Hey all,
I'm resurrecting my brewing hobby after a decade-long hiatus.
I smacked the WYeast 1945 packet last night, with plans to pitch it to a starter tomorrow evening, and then pitch the resulting starter to an English ale extract (Northern Brewer's Innkeeper kit) Sunday sometime. One thing I seem to have gotten rid of in the past 10 years was a large glass wine jug that I used for starters.
I can't seem to find a similar vessel around the house. I'm considering doing the starter (1.5 or 2 liter) in my fermenter (7 gallon bucket with airlock). When my wort has chilled on Sunday, I'm thinking that I could pour off the liquid from the starter, leaving a small yeast cake behind, and rack from the brew kettle onto the yeast cake.
Has anyone done this before? Are there any risks associated with doing a relatively small starter in such a relatively large container?
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Best,
Mike D. |
Nephalist
Intermediate Member
Username: Nephi
Post Number: 499
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 162.116.29.38
| | Posted on Friday, July 08, 2011 - 08:21 pm: |
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I recall a guy on another forum who used a large glass vase from Walmart. I think he paid $5 or so for it. Or buy a jug of wine and transfer it to something else (like a stomach). I don't see a problem keeping your starter in the bucket other than the large surface area you have to sanitize. Also the volume of air above the wort is large and not sterile. I think a healthy yeast population counteracts those risks though. |
Tom Gardner
Senior Member
Username: Tom
Post Number: 1240
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 67.190.167.19
| | Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2011 - 03:23 am: |
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And don't use an airlock, the yeast need oxygen which will diffuse into the container if you cover it with a baggy or aluminum foil. |
Michael Dransfield
New Member
Username: Mdransfi
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2011
Posted From: 209.191.144.12
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 11:28 am: |
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I ended up using a tall rose vase that was left over from St. Valentine's day. I pitched lots of happy little yeasties into the wort on Sunday morning that was producing a vigorous fermentation by late Sunday night. I hope to reuse the yeast for another batch on bottling day. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 13079
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.49.181
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 12:21 pm: |
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Growlers make reasonably good containers for starters, although in a pinch making the starter in the fermenter should not result in problems. |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 7597
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 140.211.82.4
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 04:22 pm: |
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I use a gal. glass jug that apple juice came in. |
Steve Ruch
Intermediate Member
Username: Rookie
Post Number: 259
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 209.240.206.194
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2011 - 02:51 pm: |
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If your town does curbside recycling like mine you can probably find a suitable jug within a few blocks of your house.
Just around the corner from where I live is a house that drinks a lot of good beer and I can get all the bottles I need really easy. |
Jim Williams
Member
Username: Jim_williams
Post Number: 168
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 96.238.52.15
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2011 - 04:37 pm: |
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I use a flask. Boil the wort in the flask. Cool it. pitch the starter. |
Jonathan White
Junior Member
Username: Jonathanwhite
Post Number: 69
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 74.182.33.208
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 - 02:20 pm: |
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I use a one gallon Tupperware pitcher with a three piece push button seal. It has a flat bottom so I can use it on my stir plate. I sanitize it by filling it with boiling water and letting it sit for a few minutes. When it comes off of the stir plate, I put on the seal and pop it in the fridge. |
Connie
Senior Member
Username: Connie
Post Number: 1631
Registered: 10-2000
Posted From: 98.230.141.204
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 - 03:45 pm: |
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all the above and several other options can be found for cheap at yard/tag sales. |
Brews and Views Archive 2011 
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