Yeast Starter for 50L Brew

[Hoser]

Hello,

I am planning to do my first ever 50 litre brew in a few weeks time. I am really looking forward to the the brew but I have got a little bit stuck on what to do with the yeast.
I am planning to use Wyeast, most likely American Ale 1056. I have banged the details into Mr Malty and it is reccomending that I use two packs to make a yeast starter (with stir plate). The estimated OG for my brew is 1.055
My question is, as I am a bit of a tight ****, can I get around using two packs by just pitching one pack into one litre of wort, allow it to build up for two days on the stir plate, cold crash, drain the fermented wort, then step up the yeast starter by adding another liter (or more?) of wort, for a further two days on the stire plate? I would then cold crash and keep it in the fridge until brew day.
Any help on this would be great as I don't want to ruin such a big batch of beer!

 

[TartanSpecial]

I'm no expert (just growing up my first lot of liquid yeast) but looking at beersmith I'd have thought you'd want to go a bit bigger...eg growing up on the stirrer plate in 2 ltrs of 1.040 wort (200grm malt extract /2ltrs water ., boiled and cooled and well oxygenated) for a couple of days then leave to settle out or cold crash depending on how floccy it is, then drain the spent wort and repeat. If all goes well I’d have though you should have approaching 400bln cells.

 

[MyQul]

I agree with Tartan. Putting the Wyeast in 2L of starter would be better.

Have a look at this calc as it includes how much starter you need to use and how many step up needed for enough for 50L, something Mr Malty doesnt have

http://www.brewunited.com/yeast_calculator.php

 

[Hoser]

Thanks both. Very useful info. I think that the calculator will come in very hand Myqul so thank you very much indeed!