Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Decanting  (Read 2817 times)

Offline Herminator

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 228
  • Beer | Metal | No Masters
Decanting
« on: September 23, 2013, 09:07:47 am »
So I am planning decanting for the first time.  I am planning to brew on Saturday and will get the starter going today.  I will give it roughly give it 2-3 days for the 2 liter starter and then crash it in the fridge.  I was wondering if anyone has advice on the length of time I can store the starter in the fridge?

Thanks!
Hermen D.
Muerte Brewing

cornershot

  • Guest
Re: Decanting
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2013, 09:19:08 am »
A starter might keep for months depending on the yeast strain and how it's treated, although viability and vitality will suffer and it may need to be built back up after awhile. Use within 2 weeks and you're golden. Do not decant the starter beer off the yeast until you are ready to pitch. I pour off all but an inch of liquid and then swirl it up and pitch.

Offline Herminator

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 228
  • Beer | Metal | No Masters
Re: Decanting
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2013, 09:24:36 am »
Perfect!  Thanks a lot Big Al. 
Hermen D.
Muerte Brewing

cornershot

  • Guest
Re: Decanting
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2013, 09:27:46 am »
No problem. But you may want to wait for some experts to weigh in. I make some darn good beer if I do say so myself. But yeast guru I ain't!

Offline The Professor

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 863
  • "In the next life, you're on your own"
Re: Decanting
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2013, 09:37:52 am »
No problem. But you may want to wait for some experts to weigh in. I make some darn good beer if I do say so myself. But yeast guru I ain't!

I'm no bona-fide expert either, but what you describe is my procedure exactly as I've done for going on 30 years (with both starters and saved slurries). 
So as far as I'm concerned,  you're right on the money.  8)
« Last Edit: September 23, 2013, 09:39:59 am by The Professor »
AL
New Brunswick, NJ
[499.6, 101.2] Apparent Rennerian
Homebrewer since July 1971

Offline morticaixavier

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7781
  • Underhill VT
    • The Best Artist in the WORLD!!!!!
Re: Decanting
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2013, 09:46:00 am »
No problem. But you may want to wait for some experts to weigh in. I make some darn good beer if I do say so myself. But yeast guru I ain't!

I'm no bona-fide expert either, but what you describe is my procedure exactly as I've done for going on 30 years (with both starters and saved slurries). 
So as far as I'm concerned,  you're right on the money.  8)

Yup that's more or less it. It's way easier than you think it's going to be.
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
- J Joyce

Offline Herminator

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 228
  • Beer | Metal | No Masters
Re: Decanting
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2013, 10:22:16 am »
Is leaving the flask with the foil over the top enough protection or should I put an airlock on it?

Thanks!
Hermen D.
Muerte Brewing

Offline morticaixavier

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7781
  • Underhill VT
    • The Best Artist in the WORLD!!!!!
Re: Decanting
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2013, 10:27:18 am »
Is leaving the flask with the foil over the top enough protection or should I put an airlock on it?

Thanks!

I like to pop a rubber band around the foil just so it doesn't fall off if it gets bumped but that should be fine.
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
- J Joyce

Offline redbeerman

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1849
  • On the banks of the mighty Susquehanna in MD
Re: Decanting
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2013, 02:14:01 pm »
I usually use a chicken foot and some feathers.  Oh De-canting you say!  Never mind. ;)
CH3CH2OH - Without it, life itself would be impossible.

[441, 112.1deg] AR

Jim

Offline scottNU

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 105
Re: Decanting
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2013, 10:21:11 am »
Is leaving the flask with the foil over the top enough protection or should I put an airlock on it?

Thanks!

Next time you are at the LHBS, you might want to spend a dollar and get a foam stopper.  Easy to sanitize, breathes well and won't fall out.  Foil is cool too, but my foam stopper has worked well.