105 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

My stir bar came with a "keeper magnet" and I put that on the bottom of the flask to hold the stir bar in place. Otherwise... how would you take the stirbar out of the flask?

[brewman]

I grab the stirbar with the magnet and then run it up the side of the flask and out.

 

Dan

[matt6150]

I grab the stirbar with the magnet and then run it up the side of the flask and out.Dan

Seems like an unnecessary step that could lead to contamination.

[brewman]

Well it has not happened yet, not that it wont.  I used to leave it in but one time I forgot to put the mag to keep it and I ended up putting it in the wort, said I would get it out when It was done and forgot again and tossed it.

 

Now I get it out before I put in fridge and its what I do.

[denny]

I grab the stirbar with the magnet and then run it up the side of the flask and out.

 

Dan

 

same here

Seems like an unnecessary step that could lead to contamination.

 

I have considered that but why would it?  Hell, I've even dropped the stir bar back in after grabbing it and it didn't cause any problems.

[positiveContact]

I leave the stir bar in b/c after pouring off the starter beer I like to use the stir bar to get the yeast all kicked back up into the little bit of liquid I left behind.  at this point I just hold the stir bar in with a magnet while I pour the starter out unless I'm pouring it into a mason jar b/c I'm doing another step.  then I pour it into the mason jar, clean my flask, make another starter and pour the yeast and stir bar back into the flask for round 2.  this way I don't have to clean or handle the stir bar again.

[djinkc]

I just leave it hanging on the side with a hard drive magnet before I decant. It stays there fine until I'm ready to clean/sanitize.And there is a label on my flask "SB" to remind me to do the above and not dump it in the fermenter. Unfortunately it's not foolproof.

[positiveContact]

I just leave it hanging on the side with a hard drive magnet before I decant. It stays there fine until I'm ready to clean/sanitize.And there is a label on my flask "SB" to remind me to do the above and not dump it in the fermenter. Unfortunately it's not foolproof.

 

I use the same type of magnet!

[Brauer]

And there is a label on my flask "SB" to remind me to do the above and not dump it in the fermenter. Unfortunately it's not foolproof.

Ha Ha! Unfortunately, there's a fool lurking in every brewer.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Ha Ha! Unfortunately, there's a fool lurking in every brewer.

Ain't that the truth!

[Big Nake]

Oh hey, I think I'm going to make this starter today. Does anyone put any thought into the water they use for the starter? For whatever reason, I typically use bottled spring water that we have in our kitchen (Ice Mountain or whatever) for the starter. My guess is that it has all the various minerals in it but probably less than my tap water. I could also grab water from the fridge dispenser which runs through a small filter to strip out chlorine. Anyone think one should be used over another?

[positiveContact]

Oh hey, I think I'm going to make this starter today. Does anyone put any thought into the water they use for the starter? For whatever reason, I typically use bottled spring water that we have in our kitchen (Ice Mountain or whatever) for the starter. My guess is that it has all the various minerals in it but probably less than my tap water. I could also grab water from the fridge dispenser which runs through a small filter to strip out chlorine. Anyone think one should be used over another?

 

I used to filter the water through the brita but I don't any more.  I just take it straight out of the tap.

[matt6150]

Yeah straight well water out of the tap for me.

[brewman]

tap water

[HVB]

Yeah straight well water out of the tap for me.

same for me.

[Big Nake]

Okay, great. Thanks guys. Looks like Sat & Sun are supposed to be around 40° here so maybe I'll hold off one day on the starter and make it tomorrow for a projected Saturday afternoon brewday. Cheers Beerheads.

[djinkc]

Okay, great. Thanks guys. Looks like Sat & Sun are supposed to be around 40° here so maybe I'll hold off one day on the starter and make it tomorrow for a projected Saturday afternoon brewday. Cheers Beerheads.

 

I'd go ahead and make it today.  They don't always finish out as quick as you plan.  Doesn't hurt to sit a day or so.

 

Boiled tap water here.  Campden goes in the EHLT though.

[brewman]

I would rather start a starter a day early then a day late,  sitting in the fridge a day extra is better then not having it done in time.

 

Dan

[Big Nake]

Okay, good point. I don't have experience with a starter this size so seems reasonable to give it some extra time. Thanks.

[HVB]

I would rather start a starter a day early then a day late,  sitting in the fridge a day extra is better then not having it done in time.

 

Dan

Agree with this