How do you keep yeast starters from bubbling over?

Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:56 am

My yeast starters are prepared in flasks, on a gas range stove top. It doesn't take much heat to get the wort boiling.

Problem is, each time I try this method, the wort ends up bubbling over the side. I thought perhaps this was due to my small 1L flask. However, same thing happened last night in my new 5L.

How do you prevent this from happening with your starters?
Sergeant, BN Army

Keg 1: Summer's Horizon
Keg 2: Big Red
Keg 3: Lil Red
Conditioning: Independence Ale
On Deck: Rye Porter
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BrewerB
 
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Location: San Francisco, CA

Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:03 am

One thing that will help is putting a stir bar in there while you boil to give the bubbles a nucleation point.

The other is a drop or two of foam control.

The third is to put the flask only partway on the burner rather than centered right over it.

The best way, IMO, is to pressure-can a bunch of wort, then you can just open the jar and dump it in.
What's on tap: Cream Ale, Imperial Blonde
Secondary: British Amber,
Primary: APA
http://bubrew.org
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DannyW
 
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Location: Nokomis, Florida, USA

Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:25 am

DannyW wrote:The best way, IMO, is to pressure-can a bunch of wort, then you can just open the jar and dump it in.


A JZ fan, huh? Yeah, I'll end up getting a pressure cooker one of these days.

You entering any beer into the Best Florida Beer Comp?
Sergeant, BN Army

Keg 1: Summer's Horizon
Keg 2: Big Red
Keg 3: Lil Red
Conditioning: Independence Ale
On Deck: Rye Porter
User avatar
BrewerB
 
Posts: 319
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:44 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA

Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:29 am

BrewerB wrote:
DannyW wrote:The best way, IMO, is to pressure-can a bunch of wort, then you can just open the jar and dump it in.


A JZ fan, huh? Yeah, I'll end up getting a pressure cooker one of these days.


I also love my pressure cooker for canning plain water which I can then use to rehydrate yeast, bloom gelatin, and wash/save yeast cakes.

BrewerB wrote:You entering any beer into the Best Florida Beer Comp?


Almost certainly, but no idea exactly what yet. I need to take inventory and see what I have that I can send.
What's on tap: Cream Ale, Imperial Blonde
Secondary: British Amber,
Primary: APA
http://bubrew.org
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DannyW
 
Posts: 1950
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:37 pm
Location: Nokomis, Florida, USA

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