161 replies to this topic

[positiveContact]

Curious on your thoughts. Is it actually a time saver? I'd really like to get this DME monkey off my back eta: also - would you guys reccommend a pressure canner or a regular canner? maybe some info on the pros and cons. the pressure canners seem more expensive but maybe they can more effectively sterlize and possibly sterlize faster?

Edited by StudsTerkel, 24 May 2012 - 06:43 AM.

[HVB]

Also intrested in this. I have thought about this for a while but never done it.

[djinkc]

I've done it once or twice. Not worth the time IMO. I can have a 2.5L starter going in 20 minutes.

[positiveContact]

I've done it once or twice. Not worth the time IMO. I can have a 2.5L starter going in 20 minutes.

how is that possible? I boil my starters for at least 10 minutes and it takes longer than 10 minutes to cool it.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Seems like a lot of work. I make DME starters all the time. Doesn't seem like a big deal.Cheers,Rich

[positiveContact]

Seems like a lot of work. I make DME starters all the time. Doesn't seem like a big deal.Cheers,Rich

start to finish it probably takes me about 1.5 hours to get a starter going. getting equipment out, measuring water, getting DME disolved in some water first, bringing liquid up to a boil and then boiling for 15 minutes probably takes me about an hour. cooling takes another 30 mins since I'm just putting the flask in the sink with cold water. I feel like I could get this to take me about 15 minutes if the wort was already made.

[djinkc]

how is that possible? I boil my starters for at least 10 minutes and it takes longer than 10 minutes to cool it.

I start with about 140df water, boil 7 minutes, chill with an IC (scrap tubing I had) to room temp (2 minutes usually), done.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Yeah, but you have to make the starter wort anyway, clean and sanitize cans, and store it cold for a length of time and hope it doesn't get infected. Also, how long is wort good for? I'm sure it stales and might not be the best thing to use for starters.

[brewman]

What can you use besides DME?Dan

[SchwanzBrewer]

What can you use besides DME?Dan

LME or you can collect some wort from your boil on a batch you are making and save that.

[positiveContact]

Yeah, but you have to make the starter wort anyway, clean and sanitize cans, and store it cold for a length of time and hope it doesn't get infected. Also, how long is wort good for? I'm sure it stales and might not be the best thing to use for starters.

clean - yes. sanitize - that would be the canning process. if you can it right it won't get infected b/c it will be sterile. canned wort should be good for a long time and you don't need to store it cold.

[HVB]

What can you use besides DME?Dan

I seem to remember Malto Goyo being discussed before.

[positiveContact]

I seem to remember Malto Goyo being discussed before.

I think that might be an expensive option but could be used in a pinch.

[brewman]

What about water and priming sugar?Dan

[positiveContact]

What about water and priming sugar?Dan

not good. you want to feed the yeast more complex sugars. the exact scientific details I'm not sure of.

[HVB]

not good. you want to feed the yeast more complex sugars. the exact scientific details I'm not sure of.

Yesh, it is not recomended. I am going to get this wrong but I believe the yeast will be too used to the simple sugars and will not do well in the more complex sugar wort.

[positiveContact]

Yesh, it is not recomended. I am going to get this wrong but I believe the yeast will be too used to the simple sugars and will not do well in the more complex sugar wort.

that is what I have heard as well. the lazy yeast cells will take over the population.

[brewman]

Yesh, it is not recomended. I am going to get this wrong but I believe the yeast will be too used to the simple sugars and will not do well in the more complex sugar wort.

I can understand that. I guess Im going to have to go to the LHBS and get some LME/DME.Dan

[positiveContact]

I can understand that. I guess Im going to have to go to the LHBS and get some LME/DME.Dan

I'd reccommend DME since it stores better than LME. if you are only buying what you need for that one starter i guess it doesn't matter much either way.

[SchwanzBrewer]

if you get 3# of DME it will last you for a while for starters. Just put it in a zip lock or vacuum seal it.