[roguejim]

I have two stir plates being built, and I'll be ordering a couple of 2L flasks shortly.  My kitchen stove is electric, so, is it advisable to put my flasks in a water bath for boiling?  How should I proceed with this?

[dzlater]

I have an electric stove with coil elements.
I tried the water bath and it took me long time to get to boiling.
Then I made a ring of twisted up aluminum foil set that on the burner and set the flask on that.
That worked fine.
Last time I just set the flask on the burner and had no issues.

[davidgzach]

Spend the extra $ and buy Pyrex or Bomex.  You can take them straight from the burner to the ice bath without a worry.  If you plan to make lagers, I would purchase a 4L or 5L too.

[svejk]

I eventually gave up on boiling starters in my flask.  My problem was that the design was the perfect shape to shoot wort onto the ceiling above the stove.  My method now is to boil in a pot and then pour the cool wort into the sanitized flask.

[bo]

I eventually gave up on boiling starters in my flask.  My problem was that the design was the perfect shape to shoot wort onto the ceiling above the stove.  My method now is to boil in a pot and then pour the cool wort into the sanitized flask.

I gave up on that too.  Not worth the mess.

[denny]

I eventually gave up on boiling starters in my flask.  My problem was that the design was the perfect shape to shoot wort onto the ceiling above the stove.  My method now is to boil in a pot and then pour the cool wort into the sanitized flask.

I gave up on that too.  Not worth the mess.

I'll third that.

[tygo]

Boiling in the flask works great for me and then no need to sanitize the flask or transfer to it after cooling.  Less steps.  Then again I use fermcap in every starter.

[Alewyfe]

Boiling in the flask works great for me and then no need to transfer to sanitize the flask or transfer to it after cooling.  Less steps.  Then again I use fermcap in every starter.

+1

[davidgzach]

Boiling in the flask works great for me and then no need to sanitize the flask or transfer to it after cooling.  Less steps.  Then again I use fermcap in every starter.

+1 here.  You do have to pay a little extra attention but if you reduce the heat just before it starts a rapid boil you should be fine.  No mess and less steps.

[hoser]

Don't fill the flask to the top and you should be fine as well.  I usually leave  1L of headspace in my flask and reduce the heat just before a boil and have no issue (as long as I keep a close eye on it).

[DaveR]

Don't fill the flask to the top and you should be fine as well.  I usually leave  1L of headspace in my flask and reduce the heat just before a boil and have no issue (as long as I keep a close eye on it).

Using a wide mouth version of the Kimax helps, too. It's less apt to erupt than the narrow mouth version. I've  used both. Still, I stopped boiling starter wort in flasks. I used a small pot and transferred.

Now days I mix up enough wort for multiple starters. I mix up several gallons, fill canning jars and sterilize them in a pressure cooker. It may sound like a lot of work, but it isn't. I can make enough wort for a half dozen starters with slightly more effort than it once took for a single starter. It's really handy to have sterile wort on hand.

[veldy]

I have two stir plates being built, and I'll be ordering a couple of 2L flasks shortly.  My kitchen stove is electric, so, is it advisable to put my flasks in a water bath for boiling?  How should I proceed with this?

I use a gas stove and still scorch the starter if I heat in the flask.  I just use a stainless pot and cool it in a water bath right in the pot.  I just pour it in the flask when cool (I don't bother with O2 since I use a stir plate, but I do use nutrient).  Spray with Star-san at every opportunity and all will be well.

Veldy

[tygo]

I use a gas stove and still scorch the starter if I heat in the flask. 

Give it a good swirl every couple of minutes until the DME is dissolved.

[sparkleberry]

i boil in a 2000ml flask and have never boiled over.  you just gotta watch for a little bit; maybe ride the burner dial.  it's not rocket science.  i grill dinner while i boil in my flask. 

[veldy]

I use a gas stove and still scorch the starter if I heat in the flask. 

Give it a good swirl every couple of minutes until the DME is dissolved.

I always heat the water to a boil, turn off the heat and after a couple of minutes, add the DME.  The wait avoids a sudden boil over.  I never add heat again until completely dissolved.  I still would catch  overly darkened wort, even black specs, if I applied even low heat to the flask.  I know that is precisely what a flask is for, but I just moved to a pan and never looked back. 

Veldy