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Author Topic: When is a starter done?  (Read 3731 times)

Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #15 on: November 19, 2011, 11:09:23 am »
You could try to cold crash it right now and get some S-33 as a backup, if it doesn't go.

I haven't tried that yeast, but I try to have some US-05 and S-04 on hand for those occasions when my planning didn't allow for a good yeast crash and decant.  I agree with Denny that if the yeast isn't ready, then you are really not ready to brew, but with the dry yeasts that are out there, I never have a problem anymore with yeast planning.  And FWIW, I prefer some of the dry yeasts to the liquid counterparts.

 :P
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Offline davidgzach

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #16 on: November 19, 2011, 11:24:40 am »
You could try to cold crash it right now and get some S-33 as a backup, if it doesn't go.

I haven't tried that yeast, but I try to have some US-05 and S-04 on hand for those occasions when my planning didn't allow for a good yeast crash and decant.  I agree with Denny that if the yeast isn't ready, then you are really not ready to brew, but with the dry yeasts that are out there, I never have a problem anymore with yeast planning.  And FWIW, I prefer some of the dry yeasts to the liquid counterparts.

 :P


Made the executive decicion about 30 minutes ago to crash it.  It may be an hour or two after I place in to primary before I can pitch it, but I think it will be OK.  Next big beer I give it a couple more days......Thanks for the advice all!
Nex



Dave Zach

Offline davidgzach

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2011, 11:33:32 am »
Also plan to steep covered after boil for 30 minutes and then let settle after aeration for 30 minutes.  Buys me another hour.  Good plan?
Dave Zach

Offline tubercle

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #18 on: November 19, 2011, 02:18:45 pm »
You don't have to pitch it today.

 I alyways let mine sit over night in the converted freezer because I can't get my wort down to temp with my well water. It won't hurt anything as long as its covered.
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Offline Hokerer

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #19 on: November 19, 2011, 06:36:34 pm »
You don't have to pitch it today.

 I alyways let mine sit over night in the converted freezer because I can't get my wort down to temp with my well water. It won't hurt anything as long as its covered.

+1, I'm generally a "next day pitcher" myself
Joe

Offline Hokerer

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #20 on: November 19, 2011, 06:37:49 pm »
Remember to not pitch the stir bar into the wort with the yeast like I did last batch.

That's why you make sure you have at least two stir bars. :)
Joe

Offline davidgzach

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #21 on: November 21, 2011, 06:21:48 am »
You don't have to pitch it today.

 I alyways let mine sit over night in the converted freezer because I can't get my wort down to temp with my well water. It won't hurt anything as long as its covered.

+1, I'm generally a "next day pitcher" myself

I ended up taking the starter out at 10:00PM, decanted, warmed and pitched at around 11:00PM.  Activity was present Sunday morning and it's now percolating away and about to come through the blow off tube!  Got a good 2 inches of foam on top with a nice Krausen forming.  WIll remember to give big starters more time in the future.......but RDWAHAHB worked again!
Dave Zach

Offline James Lorden

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Re: When is a starter done?
« Reply #22 on: November 21, 2011, 07:44:37 am »
Generally what I do is make a starter well in advance.  Let it finish out and put it in the fridge for a few days.  On brew day when I run off into the fermenter I will decant the starter beer out of the flask and replace with the new wort that I just made.  This will go back on the stirplate to get the thing going.  Generally I let the beer sit overnight then the next morning I will pitch this new active starter made using the wort from the batch I just brewed.

Since I use a conical for lagers this also gives time for trub to settle which I dump just before pitching (but that is a topic for a different thread  :))
James Lorden
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