Author Topic: Storing Yeast Starters?  (Read 735 times)

Offline rbowers

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 126
    • View Profile
Storing Yeast Starters?
« on: May 22, 2012, 11:45:53 AM »
I've got a big two weeks of brewing coming up with a laid back work schedule and my wife and kids leaving town for 2 weeks thus leaving me to attend my hobby.  I am going to try and cram in 5 batches so I'll be set for months.  I've been planning this for awhile.
In preparation I was hoping to get my yeast starters ready a week or two ahead of time.  2 batches will require sizable starters (big baltic porter and dunkel).  The other 3 will be smaller beers.  Is there a way to store starters for a week or two?  Perhaps placing them in cleaned and sanitized bottles and capping them?  I could then crack them open as needed.  I only have two starter flasks.  Suggestions welcome.
Primary:
Nada

Secondary:
APA
Galaxy APA

Lagering:
Helles

Conditioning:
American IPA

On Tap:
German Alt
English IPA
Saison Du Buff Clone
Witbier

Bottles
Flanders Red

Coming Up:
Belgian Stout

Offline davidgzach

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1241
    • View Profile
Re: Storing Yeast Starters?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2012, 11:52:00 AM »
You could either do as you say or just make the two starters in the two flasks and leave them in the fridge with an airlock.  Or burp them every couple of days if in a sealed and sanitized container.  Buy an extra pack/vial for the smaller beers or just pitch one if it's under 1.050.

Dave
Dave Zach

Offline tschmidlin

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7680
  • Redmond, WA
    • View Profile
Re: Storing Yeast Starters?
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2012, 12:08:42 PM »
As long as the caps are not so tight as to hold pressure, your plan will be fine.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline Greg A.

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 20
    • View Profile
Re: Storing Yeast Starters?
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2012, 01:58:16 PM »
I've got a big two weeks of brewing coming up with a laid back work schedule and my wife and kids leaving town for 2 weeks thus leaving me to attend my hobby.  I am going to try and cram in 5 batches so I'll be set for months.  I've been planning this for awhile.
In preparation I was hoping to get my yeast starters ready a week or two ahead of time.  2 batches will require sizable starters (big baltic porter and dunkel).  The other 3 will be smaller beers.  Is there a way to store starters for a week or two?  Perhaps placing them in cleaned and sanitized bottles and capping them?  I could then crack them open as needed.  I only have two starter flasks.  Suggestions welcome.

If you're going to store them for 2 weeks, it might be beneficial to decant them the morning of brewing and add some fresh wort to get them active.
Greg Arndt
Homebrewer in training

Offline snowtiger87

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 326
    • View Profile
Re: Storing Yeast Starters?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2012, 03:12:53 AM »
Are you talking yeast starters with just unfermented wort? If so, can them and they will last a long time in the fridge. With the "canning method" I have kept starters for 6 months or longer before use.
Brewing since 1989 - BJCP National Rank

Fermenting: CAP
Conditioning: Burton Ale, Belgian Quad, Old Ale
On tap: Cider, Impy Cherry Stout, Irish Red Ale, Irish Red Lager, Big Irish Red Ale, Rye Dunkel Bock, German Easter Lager, Mexican Lager, Belgian Dubbel Chocolate Stout
Newly Bottled: Dubbel, Belgian Golden Strong, Belgian Easter Ale