Multiple Yeast Staters

[peebee]

It's about time I started using liquid yeasts. I've always been put off by the price (unfounded) and reliability (unfounded). But I have got a real problem.

I use Beersmith which has a calculator for starters (presumably one of several calculators available). And with this calculator I can determine the size of starter. I brew batches of 45 or 65 litres and one of the "revelations" is I can do this using just one pack of yeast, as long as I'm not brewing a really strong beer. But the calculator will usually tell me I need a starter bigger than the often use 2L euleymer flask. I'm warned against larger flasks (expensive, and subject to accidents) and using 1 gallon demijohns (magnetic stirrers don't like their domed base). So ...

If I need a starter of (say) 3L, can I split the yeast pack across two starters of 1.5L each? I'll then build a second stirrer and buy another flask.

 

[henteaser]

Yes.

I'd suggest using some scales to accurately split the yeast pack evenly i.e. weigh the empty flasks before you pour in.

 

[peebee]

Yes.

I'd suggest using some scales to accurately split the yeast pack evenly i.e. weigh the empty flasks before you pour in.

Thanks.

I'll probably mix in a demijohn then roughly split the contents between two flasks.

 

[henteaser]

If you have space in the flasks, I'd also suggest doing the full 2L in each. Once both are fermented out, give them a good swirl and collect approx. 500ml from each into a sanitised mason jar, and pitch the rest. Pop that in the fridge for your next starter.

 

[peebee]

Splitting the starter across two flasks is no problem. And I started using the Brewer's Friend yeast starter calculator which covers "stepped" starters allowing me to make starters for strong beers too. I used the calculator's "Braukaiser" growth model.

Last brew: 45L 1.058 using a 2L starter split across two flasks and created in 2 steps (over 2.5 days) from one pack of WLP002. 1.058 -> 1.016 in 48 hours.