making a brett starter

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by ghostinthemachine, Mar 19, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. ghostinthemachine

    ghostinthemachine Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2015 Louisiana

    I have been buying expired yeast from the LHBS for cheap and making starters then freezing the yeast in glycerin solution. I have a vial of expired brett brux and was wondering if making a starter in that using my erlenmeyer flask would put me at risk for infection for other yeast. I'm guessing it wouldnt since I boil the starter in the flask.

    I'd hate to have a yeast bank with half the yeast infected with brett
     
    #1 ghostinthemachine, Mar 19, 2016
  2. ChrisMyhre

    ChrisMyhre Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    Similar question to the keg one going now. In theory if you clean and sanitize well I don't think you'd have an issue. I err on the side of paranoia though. I do my Brett starters using a sanitized gallon water bottle.
     
    #2 ChrisMyhre, Mar 19, 2016
    ghostinthemachine likes this.
  3. OldBrewer

    OldBrewer Maven (1,385) Jan 13, 2016 Canada (ON)

    My understanding is that glass (with no cracks and/or scratches) and stainless steel can readily be sterilized with the proper procedures. It's with plastic and rubber (tubing, stops, etc.) where sterilization is not guaranteed. As long as no rubber stopper is being used on the flask (most use tin foil), you shouldn't have any concerns after proper sterilization.
     
    #3 OldBrewer, Mar 19, 2016
    ChrisMyhre and Lukass like this.
  4. ghostinthemachine

    ghostinthemachine Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2015 Louisiana

    the flask is borosilicate so i was planning on putting it in the oven for a couple of hours to be safe
     
    #4 ghostinthemachine, Mar 20, 2016
    ChrisMyhre likes this.
  5. OldBrewer

    OldBrewer Maven (1,385) Jan 13, 2016 Canada (ON)

    That should do it. You will need to leave it in the oven for about an hour at 350 F, or for 12 hours (overnight) at 250 F.

    You can also immerse it in boiling water, which conveys heat much quicker than dry air and doesn't require sterilizing as long as using an oven.

    Here's a good article about different ways of sanitizing and sterilizing equipment, which includes a useful chart for how long to leave it in the oven depending on the oven temperature:

    http://howtobrew.com/book/section-1/brewing-preperations/sanitation/sanitizing-your-equipment
     
    #5 OldBrewer, Mar 20, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2016
    donspublic and ghostinthemachine like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.