well, this is a later post, but i think people still may read this. If you are making a starter, im assuming you already have your grains, right? well try this out---heat a litre of water to 150 degrees. Put one cup of grain in the heated water and steep for an hour. you won't miss one cup of grain. then boil for 5 minutes, pour it into your flask, cover with foil , let cool to room temp and pitch yeast and nutrient. bingo-- starter in a pinch.