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Equipment for big starters
Hi all,
I've recently expanded my system to make ten gallon batches, which is working out extremely well so far. But I'm running into some snags when making starters large enough for ten gallons of wort.
Anyone have any tips on suitable vessels? I have been using an old large wine bottle, which will hold about 3 quarts (plus head space) and has the significant advantage that a regular carboy bung fits just right. But this isn't large enough for these bigger starters, and although I'm getting decent results, I feel like I should be pitching yet more yeast.
A container large enough that's stove-proof would be perfect...surely this must be a situation every ten-gallon brewer meets? I aerate (aquarium pump, filter, diffusion stone) and agitate regularly, and typically pitch one smack pack/vial.
Is it a good idea to feed the starter? It had crossed my mind to give the yeast 3 quarts or so, let it munch on that for a few days, chill it to settle the yeast, pour off the near-beer and add a couple of quarts of fresh wort. Would this have the same effect as a 5 quart starter? Will that repeated cooling/heating affect the yeast viability?
Obviously I'd prefer just to use a container big enough to hold all the starter at once, but short of using a 5-gallon carboy (which seems like overkill) I don't really have anything that would do...perhaps one of you more experienced folks has a creative solution to this problem.
Thanks!!!!
Hello justin,
I've been researching starters a lot lately as well, and it seems that erlenmeyer flasks are a good option for starters, especially if you have a stir plate. 1 gallon, however is big for a flask. I poked around online and new a 4000mL will run you $100+. Ebay however, is another story. You should be able to heat it as it is pyrex.
you could check your local commercial restaurant supply store and get something made of polycarbonate as well. Nalgene makes lab stuff that would be good, but maybe even more expensive, and you definitely couldn't heat anything like that.
I'm not too keen on splitting the starter, although I appreciate the idea -- that just sounds like too much fooling around with sterilizing two bottles and so on. Maybe I could just make two 3-litre starters, and pitch half the smack pack into each one...considering I've made perfectly good beer pitching a smack pack into five gallons, that ought to work well enough.
Thanks!!!
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