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Erlenmeyer flask types of glass?
Still so new to the brewing game I just for some of the gimmicks like the Erlenmeyer flask, if its considered one or not. I have been using the flask for my yeast starters since I can put it right on the stove burner (Electric Coil) boil the Malt Extract, pitch the yeast, and plug it with an air lock. Now I remember back in good old High school using these same things, they were nearly indestructible unless dropper. Heat to cold and vice vercea. Now with my new 2000ml flask got two uses out of it, on my third just sitting on the burner of my stove cracked and leaked my whole yeast starter.
So to my question. Was it a faulty flask? should I look into better one then what the brew shop has to offer such as pyrex? or just leave it up to me treating my equipment improperly?
Even the lab ones you were used to in highschool don't stand up well to be put right on an electric heating coil. To avoid that some folks will put a plate of aluminum or copper on the coils to help diffuse the heat.
You can look into getting a Pyrex grade flask (most true erleneyers are), but you still should't put it directy on teh heating coils.
I work in a lab and even the hot plate/stireplates we use have a layer of metal between the flask and the coil.
Thanks I am looking into a new pyrex flask, and I will take the advice not to use direct on the coils. Since you are more experience with this type of equipment do you know how the heat transfer (boiling to ice bath) would hold up. I have run into some other glass breakables doing this and was hoping that the pyrex might hold up to it better.
Thanks again
I have used my flask directly on a smooth top cooktop and have no problems. Then I take it directly from the stove and sit it in the sink which has an ice/water mixture to cool the wort asap. I haven't had any problems and I have done it about 6 or 8 times with two different types and brands of flasks. I ahve seen pictures of flasks melted from sitting directly on the electric coils, I bet that is a mess to clean up! If you don't have any other way of heating the flask except the coil range, use a heat diffuser or a small gas camping stove. Also look into fermcap it is a silicone additive that helps with boilovers
I think a lot of people put a pot or a pan on the stove then put the flask in there, to keep the heat better dispersed. Gas ranges should work fine just setting it on. The pyrex/bomex or whatever they're called ones should have no problem with heating and cooling them, at least from what I've heard. I don't have one myself, I make my starter in a pot, then cool it and pour it into a gallon wine jug. Although the flask is sounding better/easier....
I must say the 3 starters that I have made with a flask turned out very easy and well. I do however have noticed that it tends to boil over faster I believe it because the lack of air. I am defiantly getting another one it works well.
Jatwolf wrote:
Since you are more experience with this type of equipment do you know how the heat transfer (boiling to ice bath) would hold up.
Thanks again
While they do better than normal glass with rapid cooling from high temp, its still not recommended from the manufacturer. Caution should be used as all glass eventually weakens overtime with repeated rapid coolilng or heating.
In the lab it doesn't matter we just toss the flask out once it breaks. But to preserve the life span of a flask at home, I'd take it a little easier. Its not super critical to rapid cool the wort when doing a starter. So run it under tap water first to take some of the heat out of it before plunging it in an ice bath. Or better yet just set it on a different burner to cool for 10 minutes before the ice bath. That will prolong the life of the flask.
Good tips, anything to give brewing equipment a longer life is always helpful.
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