The Kernel Export India Porter

Ok will do, thanks guys.
Just out of curiosity, how come I'm needing a 5Ltr vessel when most of the videos online show people using the standard sized flask?

Ok will do, thanks guys.
Just out of curiosity, how come I'm needing a 5Ltr vessel when most of the videos online show people using the standard sized flask?

You don't need a 5L bottle/vessel. It's just easier when you make a typical 2L starter as you have room to shake/agitate the wort.

Say, for instance, you used a 2L bottle/vessel and made a 1L starter. You'll likely be fine, but experience tells me that when you shake it up, the foam will end up clogging your airlock.

In short, a 5L vessel is just easier. A 5L bottle of Tescos Ashbeck is about £1, so it's no great cost. Plus, it's good brewing water - nice to have on hand if you need to bring down your mash temp in a hurry (better than using tap water full of chlorine).

Ok will do, thanks guys.
Just out of curiosity, how come I'm needing a 5Ltr vessel when most of the videos online show people using the standard sized flask?

You don't need a 5L bottle/vessel. It's just easier when you make a typical 2L starter as you have room to shake/agitate the wort.

Say, for instance, you used a 2L bottle/vessel and made a 1L starter. You'll likely be fine, but experience tells me that when you shake it up, the foam will end up clogging your airlock.

In short, a 5L vessel is just easier. A 5L bottle of Tescos Ashbeck is about £1, so it's no great cost. Plus, it's good brewing water - nice to have on hand if you need to bring down your mash temp in a hurry (better than using tap water full of chlorine).

Thanks!
I did a bit of reading up after posting and found that same sort of response. A larger vessel helps to foam, and generally just makes it easier.

I can see on the MM site, they sell a 115g pouch of DME suited for making a starter, typically of 1 Ltr. Do I simply just buy one (or two?) of those and then follow the guidelines for making the starter?

Starter is 100g DME to 1L of water. Boil for 15 mins, cool down to 20C quick as possible. Pitch yeast and aerate. Simples.

That will give approx 1.038 - 1.040 OG

So a 1 litre start is sufficient for 5 gal then is it?

Most of the time for a standard strength beer
Check out mrmalty yeast calculator if you want to be a bit more technical, can put in your fg/yeast manufacturer date etc etc and it will give you a starter size. Only problem with bigger starters is you need to do step ups.

So a 1 litre start is sufficient for 5 gal then is it?

1.2 litre starter is sufficient for a 50 litre wort of around 1.048

This is what I use. It's quick and simple... http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitc ... alculator/

Starter size depends on (assuming a 25L batch with one pack of fresh yeast and only shaking the starter occasionally):

* how old your yeast is
* OG of your beer

Lower gravity wort will require less yeast than a higher gravity wort, therefore a 1.050 beer will require a 2L starter to pitch enough yeast. Otoh, a 1.040 wort under the same conditions only requires a 1L starter.

I prefer to use the 'pro-brewer' setting to calculate starter size as since pitching large amounts of yeast with big starters I've noticed less lag time, cleaner fermentation and lower esters.

Bigger beers will require bigger starters and likely a 2-3 step starter. Alternatively, buy two lots of yeast and make starters for both, or even three packs if you've got deep pockets.