What is a Starter?

[cwiseman77]

I hear a lot of chat on here about using a "starter". I am a bit confused as to what this is and when I should be using it. I have made about 7 beers now and never used a starter so what am I missing out on?

Is it necessary fir certain beers to "kick-start" the yeast? I used yeast nutrient once for an alcoholic ginger beer...is that a starter? :wha:

 

[graysalchemy]

A starter is were you add your yeast to a small quantity of DME or wort to get the yeast started in order to pitch a larger volume or to waken up a liquid yeast which has been in the fridge either a bought one or a sample from a previous brew etc.

It isn't really necessary with dried yeasts as they usually get going straight from the packet.

If you are using a sample of yeast kept back from a previous brew or one which you have been given then it is also a good idea to use a starter to make sure that it is viable and not producing any off flavours ie it is infected or stressed.

:thumb:

 

[cwiseman77]

Cheers gray....u truly are fountain of knowledge. I've only used dried yeasts so far so not been a problem.

So do some people use a sample from a yeast cake from a previous brew as yeast for their next brew? Think that's a level or 2 above me now. Still planning to do your vinegar idea with my undrinkable beer. Just need to get the right container. You also mentioned letting the fruit flies do all the work....so will there be flies all over the beer if i leave it open to the air? And this is ok?