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Author Topic: SNS Starter Fail  (Read 1949 times)

Offline el_capitan

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SNS Starter Fail
« on: May 29, 2017, 10:03:52 pm »
So there I was, just shakin' that gallon jug like mad, waiting for that big foamy froth to rise up... and nothing.  Shook it even harder... nothing.  Then I thought, "Oh... Fermcap in the starter.  Whoops."  So I fired up the stir plate this time, and I'll give SNS a shot next time. 

Don't put Fermcap in your SNS starters!  Should have been obvious, but hindsight is 20/20.

Offline Stevie

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Re: SNS Starter Fail
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2017, 04:58:39 am »
Done it too. I make my one quart starters in an eight quart pot now. Less chance of a mess.

Offline GALARDY

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Re: SNS Starter Fail
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2017, 05:37:55 am »
Foam or not - you were still aerating the wort. I don't see why it wouldn't have been fine.


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Offline Stevie

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Re: SNS Starter Fail
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2017, 06:18:41 am »
True, but the concept leverages the massive surface area of the foam.

Offline el_capitan

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Re: SNS Starter Fail
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2017, 05:32:33 pm »
I tried it again without the Fermcap, and it was mighty frothy.  Talk about an easy way to make a starter.  I wish I hadn't wasted all that time making my double stirplate! 

Offline coolman26

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Re: SNS Starter Fail
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2017, 06:20:27 am »
I guess when rousing old yeast, one would shake the crap out of it and start @ 020?  Say around 500ml?  Would you then let it ferment out and start again as if it were fresh?  I have several WL packs that are older and want to get them active, or at least see if they are toast.


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Jeff B

Offline Stevie

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Re: SNS Starter Fail
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2017, 07:51:05 am »
That's what I have been doing. I make a smaller weaker starter four or five days out and let it ferment fully. I crash and decant the spent beer before adding the yeast to my final SNS starter.