What gravity should my starter be?

A starter wort of 1.036-1.040 (about 100g DME per litre of water) is ideal. Higher gravities stress the yeast and reduce growth. The goal is cell growth, not fermentation.

How long should I run a starter?

Stir plate starters: 24-36 hours. Shaken starters: 24-48 hours. Static starters: 48-72 hours. The starter is ready when activity slows and it starts to clear.

Do I need a stir plate?

A stir plate doubles cell growth compared to a static starter. Intermittent shaking gives about 1.5x growth. If you brew regularly, a stir plate is a worthwhile investment.

Can I make a starter from dry yeast?

Dry yeast packets (11g) typically contain 200+ billion cells, which is sufficient for most ales without a starter. A starter is more beneficial for liquid yeast (100 billion cells) or when brewing high-gravity beers. Rehydrate dry yeast according to packet instructions instead.

What gravity should my starter wort be?

Target 1.036-1.040 SG (about 100g DME per litre of water). Higher gravity starters stress the yeast and reduce growth rate. The goal is cell multiplication, not fermentation — keep the starter light.

BrewCalcs

Yeast Starter Calculator

Calculate starter size and DME needed to grow enough yeast cells.

Target Cell Count

Current Cell Count

From yeast packet viability

Starter Method

How We Calculate This

Starter Sizing

Cell growth depends on starter volume, DME concentration, and agitation method. Stir plates provide continuous oxygen, maximising growth at ~200 billion cells per litre. The DME is calculated at 100g per litre for a ~1.037 starter wort.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify values and adjust based on your equipment and ingredients.