Wyeast Starters

[Julez]

Hi all,

have read some previous threads, but can't find the exact answer I'm looking for...

I'm trying to work out how to get a 2L starter from a Wyeast Activator. The Activator packs contain 125ml of liquid yeast and their website explains how to make a 1L starter from this. I have read that you need to step up by a factor of between 5 and 10. So am I best to start with a smaller starter (say 500ml, factor of 5), then step up by a factor of 5 again to 2.5L? Just trying to work out the easiest way of getting from a fresh Activator pack to a 2L starter in as few a steps as possible!

Cheers, Julez.

 

[jbirbeck]

i've always done it very simply. mix up some DME with 1.5l -2l of water, let it cool and bung in the wyeast. worked a treat and very easy.

 

[balconybrewer]

i have only just started using liquid but will give it a crack,

why 2 lts, are you trying to get a certain amount of cells..... (200billion is about what a 2lt starter will give you)


from my understanding you only need to step up if you are starting with a very low population...... (correct me if im wrong) and if you want 200billion cells you can just add 200gms of DME to 2lts of water.

check out the following link for a calculator based on the 125ml smack packs; http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

 

[Julez]

i have only just started using liquid but will give it a crack,

why 2 lts, are you trying to get a certain amount of cells..... (200billion is about what a 2lt starter will give you)


from my understanding you only need to step up if you are starting with a very low population...... (correct me if im wrong) and if you want 200billion cells you can just add 200gms of DME to 2lts of water.

check out the following link for a calculator based on the 125ml smack packs; http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

Thanks Ryan,

yep, looking for 12 million cells/ml for a lager.

Wyeast recommend a 1L starter, so I would have thought just adding a single smack pack to anything more than 1L would not yield the required cell count? According to the mrmalty calc, you need 2 smack packs for a 2L starter, but I'm trying to work out how best to get to 2L from a single smack pack!

Julez

 

[balconybrewer]

Wyeast recommend a 1L starter, so I would have thought just adding a single smack pack to anything more than 1L would not yield the required cell count? According to the mrmalty calc, you need 2 smack packs for a 2L starter, but I'm trying to work out how best to get to 2L from a single smack pack!

Julez

no that is telling you if you dont make a 2lt starter you will need to pitch 2.1 smack packs.

 

[ohitsbrad]

Have a good read of this if you haven't already http://www.mrmalty.com/starter_faq.htm

If you want a 2 litre starter, just make it in one step.

"The minimum starter size for significant yeast growth from a vial or pack of yeast is 1 liter. One vial or pack into 1 liter results in approximately a 50% increase in cell mass. "

"In general, a two liter starter doubles the amount of yeast in a single vial or pack."

 

[Julez]

Have a good read of this if you haven't already http://www.mrmalty.com/starter_faq.htm

If you want a 2 litre starter, just make it in one step.

"The minimum starter size for significant yeast growth from a vial or pack of yeast is 1 liter. One vial or pack into 1 liter results in approximately a 50% increase in cell mass. "

"In general, a two liter starter doubles the amount of yeast in a single vial or pack."

Beauty, cheers for clarifying that - I will be bookmarking that site for future reference.

Thanks a lot guys :beer: