Yeast starter with corn sugar, or no yeast starter?

[Thirsty Mallard]

Sidenote... what is a good ratio for DME to water for a starter?

[linuxelf]

Next time this comes up and you're making an extract batch, use a little of the batch's extract, then pitch the whole thing. Nothing lost there...

Yeah, I thought about that, but I figured, if I did that, I'd have to open the bag of DME the day before the brew, and wouldn't it absorb moisture out of the air?

[bub]

If you aren't doing a late extraction the dme should be fine... acutally I put mine in a ziplock (c) bag and never had a problem for 2-3 months... so even if you were doing late extraction within 36 hours I find it quite difficult to believe that there would be an issue. Unless you were storing it in close proximity to my nutsack then you might detect a slight off flavour... something like sweaty nutsack. ( I bet that isn't on the BJCP form)
BUB

[linuxelf]

I don't think I've got a ziplock big enough for several pounds of DME. Besides, you're saying that if I did it that way, I'd have to be able to predict where your nutsack was going to be, and ensure that it wasn't near my DME, and I think we both know that's just impossible...

[Kaiser]

Sidenote... what is a good ratio for DME to water for a starter?

The best starter gravity is ~10P or 1.040. This is the highest sugar concentration that the yeast can live in w/o the crabtree effect. The crabtree effect is the inhibition of aerobic yeast metabolisim when the concentration of sugar is to high. This doesn't mean that a higher gravity starter won't work, it just means it is less optimal for yeast growth.

Kai

[newbiebrew]

I don't think I've got a ziplock big enough for several pounds of DME.

Get the big ziplock freezer bags. You can get 6 lbs. of DME into those things no problem.

[beer_bear]

I don't think I've got a ziplock big enough for several pounds of DME.

Get the big ziplock freezer bags. You can get 6 lbs. of DME into those things no problem.

I use a tupperware type container that I bought from the store. I went for the mid grade one so that I knew it would keep the moisture out. I have been able to keep 4lbs in it. I know that's not a lot, but after a brew day, it's just right. I have had some for about 3 months in there and no moisture probs.

[Speyedr]

Sidenote... what is a good ratio for DME to water for a starter?

If you don't want to weigh it out, 1cup/1qt works well for me.

Alternatively, Most DME is about 1.035 or so (BIG Generealization, but good enough), which is PER POUND PER GALLON (pppg). So, if you do 4oz per qt you'll get a starter around 1.035.

Rob