buckerooni
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- 7/2/12
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hi all, first time doing a stepped starter using liquid yeast on a stirplate. hope you can provide some feedback.
Got 2x20L no-chill wort (similar beers) that are 1.052 and 1.060 respectively - so was gonna err on the side of caution and call it 40L at 1.060. Was going to use this wort (watered down to 1.040) for the starter. As I'm using this wort I'm changing my batch size to 37L (-3 for starter)
I've got 1 vial of WLP001, a 3L flask and stir plate
Using http://www.cheapmonkeys.com/yeastcalc/ I was going to use 1/2 vial of WLP001 (~50B cells). See attachment for what I'd planned.
So, with 2 steps the time line is:
A few questions:
1. Process - I understand that between step ups I should stop stirplate, let it settle, decant and add fresh wort - correct?
2. Cell count - Getting to 394 instead of target 407 - is falling a little short a problem?
3. Headspace - The 2 x 20L jerry - how much headspace do I need for fermentation, do I need a blowoff? Normally I just glad wrap it.
4. Additional wort water - Any reason to boil/cool water for starter or is tap water OK?
Thanks!
edit - formatting
Got 2x20L no-chill wort (similar beers) that are 1.052 and 1.060 respectively - so was gonna err on the side of caution and call it 40L at 1.060. Was going to use this wort (watered down to 1.040) for the starter. As I'm using this wort I'm changing my batch size to 37L (-3 for starter)
I've got 1 vial of WLP001, a 3L flask and stir plate
Using http://www.cheapmonkeys.com/yeastcalc/ I was going to use 1/2 vial of WLP001 (~50B cells). See attachment for what I'd planned.
So, with 2 steps the time line is:
- tonight: 1L starter on stirplate
- tomorrow arvo - stop stirplate, settle
- tomorrow night - decant, step up 2L
- next morning - pitch to both jerry's, wort+slurry (similar beers)
A few questions:
1. Process - I understand that between step ups I should stop stirplate, let it settle, decant and add fresh wort - correct?
2. Cell count - Getting to 394 instead of target 407 - is falling a little short a problem?
3. Headspace - The 2 x 20L jerry - how much headspace do I need for fermentation, do I need a blowoff? Normally I just glad wrap it.
4. Additional wort water - Any reason to boil/cool water for starter or is tap water OK?
Thanks!
edit - formatting