Noob yeast starter questions

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Maestro0708, Jul 22, 2017.

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  1. Maestro0708

    Maestro0708 Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2015 Kentucky

    Hey guys,

    I have some questions about my first yeast starter that I made last night for a Saison I am planning to brew today.

    My ingredients came earlier in the week, while I was at work, so they sat on the porch in the heat for a bit before my wife got home. When she got the yeast out and put it in the fridge, she said the ice pack was melted and both were warm.

    My plan was to cancel brew day and get more yeast if the starter didn't do anything.

    I made the starter last night (it's in a large Mason jar, and I am shaking periodically) and when I woke up, there was a small cap of foam. I have since been shaking it, and while there is foam generated by the shaking, it goes away quickly leaving very little going on at the surface.

    Also, at the bottom of the jar there are some dark spots. Are these normal? Does my starter seem okay? Should I go ahead with brewing?

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Maestro0708, Jul 22, 2017
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Is it possible you scorched your starter wort?
     
    #2 VikeMan, Jul 22, 2017
  3. Maestro0708

    Maestro0708 Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2015 Kentucky

    I don't think so..
    Maybe it's from the pot?

    Would that make this unusable?
     
    #3 Maestro0708, Jul 22, 2017
  4. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    No. But it could explain some sediment. I think I have seen something similar, though not a much, in some extract starter worts before pitching yeast.
     
    #4 VikeMan, Jul 22, 2017
  5. Maestro0708

    Maestro0708 Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2015 Kentucky

    I think the black specs are from the no-stick pot I used to boil my starter wort.

    Does my starter seem okay otherwise?
     
    #5 Maestro0708, Jul 22, 2017
  6. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,276) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The heat of the porch (who knows what happened to it before that...!?) shouldn't have killed all of the yeast cells. If you've made the yeast starter and there was foam it's probably good to go.
     
    #6 NeroFiddled, Jul 22, 2017
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  7. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    It's hard to tell much from the picture, but nothing you have said would cause me to worry.
     
    #7 VikeMan, Jul 22, 2017
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  8. Maestro0708

    Maestro0708 Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2015 Kentucky

    Thank you guys,

    I am just over-obsessing since this is my first starter and I was worried a out the heat killing the yeast.

    I will go ahead with brewing!
     
    #8 Maestro0708, Jul 22, 2017
  9. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Find a regular metal pan to boil your starter DME/LME...the starter will be fine, I just don't know if I'd want non-stick chemicals in my beer routinely :slight_smile:

    edit: you might want to routinely add to your ordering instructions to "leave in shade"
     
    #9 GreenKrusty101, Jul 22, 2017
    Maestro0708 likes this.
  10. Maestro0708

    Maestro0708 Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2015 Kentucky


    I have one I can use, I just didn't think about it last night.

    Thank you

    Cheers!
     
    #10 Maestro0708, Jul 23, 2017
    GreenKrusty101 likes this.
  11. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    @Maestro0708 throw that pan away, when they start doing that it is getting in your food and not really good for you. I have a pretty nice set of pots and pans, but when it comes to non stick I use the sams/costco brand, every year and a half I replace the ones that have started to show wear.
     
    #11 donspublic, Jul 29, 2017
    Sqhead and Maestro0708 like this.
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