Yeast Starter for only 10L batch?

[Cam]

Hi All,

Background: My first brew (a kit) was 14L and used a packet of dry yeast. My second an IPA made up by myself was 20L and again use a dry Safeale-05 and worked great.

I have my third recipe created (a strong porter) and want to try a smaller batch to start with of around 10L. The yeast I have chosen is WhiteLabs WLP007 Dry English Ale Yeast, Ive never used fresh yeast and have been looking all over to see if it need to make a starter for this smaller batch?

Any advice would be great. Cheers.

[Jocky]

It depends mostly upon the age of your yeast and the strength of the porter.

I would highly recommend making a small starter - even 500ml - just to make sure your yeast is raring to go.

[Cam]

Thanks for the reply.

I read up on the "shaken not stirred" method so I'll try that with a 500ml starter. Will i need 50g of DME for that? then leave it and pitch when ready, 12 - 18hrs later? I was thinking of just using a 2ltr waterbottle would that work ok? Im paranoid about sanitation so worry the lid might not be suitable?

[Jocky]

A 2 litre bottle will be fine if you're making a 0.5l starter. Just make sure everything is clean to start (lid and all) and then sanitise with your preferred sanitiser. It's all I do for shaken not stirred starters. Certainly a water bottle would be better than a fizzy drink bottle that will be a bigger to get properly clean!

50g of DME is correct in 0.5l water, just make sure you add some more water before boiling. 12-18 hours should be plenty of time, although you may not get visible signs of fermentation.

[Cam]

Legend, thanks for the help.

[Cam]

Looks like I got a nice fresh batch.

[Rookie]

Give this a look.
http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitc ... alculator/
You put in the size of the batch, the O G and the manufactured date and it tells you how many cells you need, how many are in the yeast pack, and whether you need a starter and how big.

[Jocky]

That's what I use - or rather I use their iPhone app:

Yeast Pitch Rate and Starter Calculator by Brewer's Friend
https://appsto.re/gb/OfSoR.i

It's a one size fits all calculation, and for specific yeast strains and styles you may need to adjust, but for most styles it's a very good thing to use to avoid severe under pitching, which is the thing most likely to cause problems.

If I'm a little bit under the cell count required (up to 25%) I wouldn't sweat it, using an active starter with the SnS method means the yeast are very ready to go.

[Rookie]

That's what I use - or rather I use their iPhone app:

Yeast Pitch Rate and Starter Calculator by Brewer's Friend
https://appsto.re/gb/OfSoR.i

It's a one size fits all calculation, and for specific yeast strains and styles you may need to adjust, but for most styles it's a very good thing to use to avoid severe under pitching, which is the thing most likely to cause problems.

If I'm a little bit under the cell count required (up to 25%) I wouldn't sweat it, using an active starter with the SnS method means the yeast are very ready to go.

I like the option to indicate what level you want from manufacturer's recommendation to pro brewer's level.