Broke my 4 liter erlenmeyer flask! What now?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by marknu1, Aug 16, 2017.

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  1. marknu1

    marknu1 Initiate (0) May 12, 2017 California

    Attempting to carry too many things into the kitchen--like an idiot--I banged my 4 liter erlenmeyer flask on the edge of the counter. Left a star in it like a rock hitting a windshield. Great. The DME was already boiling away for my yeast starter, so I figured I needed to use it. My plan was to make a 2.5 liter starter for a Russian Imperial Stout with an OG of 1.092. The 4 liter flask is perfect for that. I had one other flask, but it was only 2 liters, so I decided that I'd make a 1.8 liter starter. Beersmith's suggestion was to make a 1.7 liter starter. I usually make a bigger starter than it recommends; typically about 1.5x. I'd rather slightly over-pitch, just to be safe. So my question is, should I trust Beersmith on this one? My starter is roughly what it recommends. Or, should I pitch another pack along with my starter?
     
    #1 marknu1, Aug 16, 2017
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
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    If you actually prefer the results when you pitch more cells than what your program recommends, then pitch the extra yeast. But if you've been doing it just because it feels like a good idea, maybe trust the program this time and see what happens. I don't know what BS's default starter parameters are, but I'd be willing to bet they are based on some sort of solid logic. If they weren't, BS has enough users that would have demanded a change by now.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Aug 16, 2017
  3. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    Beersmith's yeast calculations are in line with yeastcalculator.com and Brewer's Friend . . . it's pretty safe to say they are accepted as mainstream calculators. I have been happy using these calcs and tend to trust them. That said, your equipment/process goes a long ways in determining what works best in your brewhouse.

    Probably too late now, but there is nothing magic about keeping your starter in an Erlenmeyer flask. It's a great tool, but there would be nothing wrong with having a 2 liter Erlenmeyer on a stir plate while you are shaking another 2 liter (anything glass would suffice, I've used old spaghetti sauce jars).

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    #3 PortLargo, Aug 16, 2017
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  4. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Mason jars and 1 gallon glass jugs and a plastic Rubbermaid juice dispenser, all cleaned and sanitized and with foil or plastic wrap over openings, have served me as a starter vessel in the past. The main catch is that I shook them to oxygenate because (1) I didn't have a stir plate, and (2) when I got my stir plate, I realized I needed a vessel with a bottom that was sufficiently flat for magnetic stirrer -- I got a 2L Ehrlenmeyer. If I need bigger, I'll do a step up starter (as per brewers friend calculator).
     
    #4 pweis909, Aug 17, 2017
  5. marknu1

    marknu1 Initiate (0) May 12, 2017 California

    Thanks, guys. It turned out that I wasn't able to brew on Friday, so I sealed the flask as best I could, and put it in the fridge until I brewed today (something something Eclipse Stout?). I used the 1.8l starter, as (roughly) specified by Beersmith. I bought some yeast nutrient and added it to the boil, just to be safe. We'll see what happens.
     
    #5 marknu1, Aug 22, 2017
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