Started a WL Cal Ale Yeast starter tonight. 3/4 cup DME in just under 2 liters. I actually split 3/4 DME in two 7/8 liter Mason Jars. Followed the Brewstrong Podcast technique to the tee..just hit 4 hours and no krausean. I dont have a stirplate yet, so Im shaking each every hour. Lots of sediment on the bottom. The DME might have been a little old, could this be a problem? It was bolied well so Im not worried about contamination, just lack of activity so far. I pitched the yeast at around 74F, but it was very clumpy I actually bought it 2 weeks ago (well refrigerated). Im probably being impatient, but just thoughht I'd throw this question out for the experts out there...planning on using 1/4 of the starter with bottling my hi ABV Stone Ruination Clone (last batch under carbonated) , and then using the rest in about a week on an IPA. Thanks in advance...

By this time your starter should have finished fermentation. It generally takes 18-24 hours for a starter to complete fermentation. You were probably just getting over anxious to get it going. Often you miss the krausen altogether if you are letting it go overnight. Take a look at the color of the wort. If it got noticeably lighter in color that is a good sign that everything fermented out okay. Also look at the amount of sediment on the bottom of your container. If that has gotten noticeably deeper, you have more yeast.

If you aren't sure, check the gravity.

Wayne

Another hint that fermentation is underway is by vigorously swirling the jar and seeing if there is any gas evolution forming.

+1 was gonna say the same ........

I rarely see a real foamy head on my starters, even before I had the stirplate to devolve the gas. I tend to see some bubbling, increased opacity, and an increase of yeast at the bottom of the bottle/flask/container for all the strains I've worked with (ales) except for weizen strains, which are, of course, known for the great degree of foaming they generate.

Thanks a lot for all the feedback. Im on my second starter right now. Pitched it last nite, brewing a Ginger/Grapefruit Wit tomorrow. This one has to be good, its the wife's idea and I need the points to continue brewing... Just hit 28 hours on this one, lots of bubbles. I dont have a stirplate yet, just giving it a shake every hour or so. This is the best hobby ever...

Agreed. I don't have a stirplate either, but I always make sure to stand near the sink when I shake them. They usually foam up quite a bit after a vigorous shaking.