re: Homebrewing: In-Process Thread

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I'm a novice at this and have a question about yeast starters. For my fist couple of batches I have just pitched liquid yeast. I wanted to know if creating a yeast starter is necessary and something I should do with every brew?

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Not a terrible habit to be in for quicker starts to your fermentation and a little ease of your mind.

quote:

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I'm a novice at this and have a question about yeast starters. For my fist couple of batches I have just pitched liquid yeast. I wanted to know if creating a yeast starter is necessary and something I should do with every brew?

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I am a huge proponent of using starters. I've used starters on every batch of homebrew since batch #4 (im on 29 or 30 now, 4 years later). Starters A) reduce fermentation start time B) increases cell count of yeast and allows for a healthy pitch and C) takes only 30 minutes to make one.

I have 2 erlinmeyer flasks and a stir plate, but all you really need is a mason jar. I used just the flasks for majority of my brews, and finally bought a stir plate last year. If you don't have one, just keep your starter in a dark closet and swirl the container every so often. I typically make my starters a couple days before i brew.

Starters also help ensure your wort ferments out to target SG, assuming your other marks were hit.