Fast Pitch Yeast Starter

[tony b]

Interesting idea, but a tad pricey to be seriously practical! You can buy 2 lbs of DME for $10 from Joe.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/fast ... ce2a52cad6

[andrewmaixner]

Yes, or just collect some 2nd/3rd runnings from your mash tun while your boil is going, sterilize it on your stove, and freeze it for later.

[czubak]

Yes, or just collect some 2nd/3rd runnings from your mash tun while your boil is going, sterilize it on your stove, and freeze it for later.

I have done this, but I have been forgetting lately. Works very well. DME can be a damn sticky mess

[UndeadFred]

Hell, I boil the second runnings in the microwave and let cool down with a plastic lid and freeze away 2 hours later. No need to get all complicated and put it on the stove!

Fred

[czubak]

I rarely boil. Just vac seal in a canning jar and toss it in the fridge.


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[Matt F]

I do similar and run off in to sanitized jars, cap and put in the fridge.

I like the Northern Brewer idea but a four pack of beer cost the same. Seems like the price point is too high.

[whitedj]

Interesting. Directly out of the mash tun when making a starter. I figured wild yeast - bacteria would be present at significant levels...

[Matt F]

I mash out to 170F so not much going to survive above that for wild yeast and bacteria. There are some, but no troubles for me yet. I also have been doing no boil yeast starters with DME for years now and I have not found any infection off flavors in my beers. If one were concerned you could throw the cans in a pressure cooker to be safe.

[czubak]

I have the canning lid attachment on my vacuum sealer, that's as far as I am taking it

[daryl]

I mash out to 170F so not much going to survive above that for wild yeast and bacteria. There are some, but no troubles for me yet. I also have been doing no boil yeast starters with DME for years now and I have not found any infection off flavors in my beers. If one were concerned you could throw the cans in a pressure cooker to be safe.

I have done a 10 minute boil with the DME and a quick ice bath...or just let the sauce pot sit, covered, until it reaches room temperature. And then pour into a sterile flask and pitch...that seems to work well.

I don't mind the boil, but your technique would save some time.

As far as infections....it's all a matter of statistics....if the water is clean and the utensils have been cleaned well, and one not sloppy in technique, I would think the no boil technique would be fine most of the time. In fact, many homebrew books advocate the use of water directly out of the tap.

But you just mix the (tap?) water and DME...pour into a sterile vessel, pitch, airlock and wait?

[Matt F]

Yup. Water, DME, yeast nutrient, yeast, put on a stir plate.

Wasn't my idea. Dr. Lee shared this technique with the group years ago. I tried it and it works for me. Think of it this way. If water wasn't sterile, you couldn't drink it. Seems like DME would be the greatest risk for your infection assuming clean water and everything sanitary. Has served me well and is really simple. Having brewed for almost 14 years and never dumped a batch, I feel OK with my practices. Had to be sold on the no boil but have been doing for about 5 years or so with no issues.

[UndeadFred]

Bottles dDistilled water is... steam distilled... and Spring water is treated with ozonation. I've made meads and starters with the 88 cent gallon stuff from the store and never had an issue.. so that is another option....

Fred

[whitedj]

I guess I never thought too much about pasturizing during mash out. Makes sense though.

I've been doing limited to no boils depending on the age of my DME when doing starters... don't entirely trust my storage techniques for DME.

[daryl]

That's another good point Dan....DME that has been opened is exposed not only to natural yeasts, but the ambient humidity and temperature....for old DME, I would pasturize.

But to Matt's (and Lee's) point, on the use of tap water is consistent with what I have read with regard to adding water to achieve a target gravity...tap water is just fine. And it should work for the starter.

I'm game and will try it next time to cut a step our of my process.