Erlenmeyer Flask Sizing
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    I'm going to finally break down and buy a flask. Up until this point I have been using a big pickle jar from costco. I was going to just get a 2000ml flask but noticed that the lager recipes call for much larger starters so I think I am going to get a 5000ml flask.

    Is there any concern with using the larger flask all the time even for smaller starters? I think the answer is NO but thought I would check to see if there was something I wasn't thinking.
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    I use a 2000ml for everything, I step my starters for lagers so while one half is refrigerating to decant, I'm stirring up a second flask on the stirplate, besides, I rarely do lagers so the massive flask is not critical.

    Elides,I have a difficult enough time finding storage space for the 2000ml, I would be at a loss to store a huge flask like the 5000ml ones.
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    azscoob said:

    I use a 2000ml for everything, I step my starters for lagers so while one half is refrigerating to decant, I'm stirring up a second flask on the stirplate, besides, I rarely do lagers so the massive flask is not critical.

    Elides,I have a difficult enough time finding storage space for the 2000ml, I would be at a loss to store a huge flask like the 5000ml ones.


    That's a really good point. Plus I could continue to use my pickle jar for the step up storage.

    2000ml it is. And...I think I will still have enough cash to buy one of your stir plates. @azscoob
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Sweet!
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • frydogbrewsfrydogbrews
    Posts: 44,679
    to answer the question though, no, there is no reason not to use a larger flask than you need for this purpose.
  • Evan_BEvan_B
    Posts: 312
    IF you're going to be starting your ... starters ... from slants then it would be beneficial to have a range of flasks from like 10mL to 1000mL. I think Cynmar sells a little set of varying volumes for a reasonable price, if I remember correctly.
    Amigo, lay them raises down.
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,804
    Evan_B said:

    IF you're going to be starting your ... starters ... from slants then it would be beneficial to have a range of flasks from like 10mL to 1000mL. I think Cynmar sells a little set of varying volumes for a reasonable price, if I remember correctly.



    no need for a flask smaller than 50L, the extra air space would be beneficial to the growth phase.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • Evan_BEvan_B
    Posts: 312
    FromZwolle said:



    no need for a flask smaller than 50L, the extra air space would be beneficial to the growth phase.


    yeah you're right. Just went and checked, and the smallest I have is 25mL, which I have used exactly zero times. The next one up is 50mL, 100mL, so on and so on...
    Amigo, lay them raises down.
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    Just ordered the 2000ml flask. It's a starter. Get it? I crack me up sometimes. :))
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    looks like, with a honest to goodness stir plate on its way, it's time for me to go buy a new Erlenmeyer flask... the last two somehow miraculously got destroyed when i had them on the kitchen counter.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Lakewood said:

    looks like, with a honest to goodness stir plate on its way, it's time for me to go buy a new Erlenmeyer flask... the last two somehow miraculously got destroyed when i had them on the kitchen counter.



    I would buy two, and store them high up, also I recommend using a fridge magnet to fish the stir bar out, or it WILL end up in a fermenter for a month.
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,469
    azscoob said:



    also I recommend using a fridge magnet to fish the stir bar out, or it WILL end up in a fermenter for a month.

    Oh that's a good idea.... I usually just pour slowly until I leave the stirbar and a little slurry left in the flask. But it's only a matter of time....
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,804
    we have plastic (nalgene) rods with a magnet on the end to fish the stir bar out. they're great, but i don't know where you would get them from.

    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    FromZwolle said:

    we have plastic (nalgene) rods with a magnet on the end to fish the stir bar out. they're great, but i don't know where you would get them from.


    Could we get them from you?
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,804
    Lakewood said:


    Could we get them from you?


    i'd rather not try to fish stirbars out of lye solution without them, so no.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    FromZwolle said:



    i'd rather not try to fish stirbars out of lye solution without them, so no.

    isn't there like a supply closet full of them?
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,804
    these are the ones,

    http://www.amazon.com/Dynalon-303305-Polypropylene-Stirring-Retriever/dp/B004AHL6VQ

    probably a better price somewhere, but here they are.

    image
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,804
    Lakewood said:


    isn't there like a supply closet full of them?


    nope.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    FromZwolle said:

    these are the ones,

    http://www.amazon.com/Dynalon-303305-Polypropylene-Stirring-Retriever/dp/B004AHL6VQ

    probably a better price somewhere, but here they are.

    image



    considering i could buy like 40 stir bars for that price, i might as well just get one for each fermenter and dump them in. i only have 4 fermenters anyway.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    FromZwolle said:



    nope.


    i can see why
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    oh, it's a case of six...
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    thats about $14 per retriever. still too expensive.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,804
    Lakewood said:

    oh, it's a case of six...



    still a bit pricey, but they're handy.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    FromZwolle said:



    still a bit pricey, but they're handy.


    Lakewood said:

    thats about $14 per retriever. still too expensive.



    yes
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    seems like you could just use a small magnet to hold it to the bottom of the flask while you are pouring. then when youre done, remove the magnet and dump the stir bar out.


    or am i oversimplifying an obviously complex problem?
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,804
    Lakewood said:

    seems like you could just use a small magnet to hold it to the bottom of the flask while you are pouring. then when youre done, remove the magnet and dump the stir bar out.


    or am i oversimplifying an obviously complex problem?



    that's not a shiny new toy, it'll never work.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    FromZwolle said:



    that's not a shiny new toy, it'll never work.


    true. i should wrap it in some plastic and put a logo on it. then i can sell it.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,469
    Lakewood said:



    true. i should wrap it in some plastic and put a logo on it. then i can sell it.


    Really. This. Seriously.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • frydogbrewsfrydogbrews
    Posts: 44,679
    Lakewood said:


    isn't there like a supply closet full of them?


    i have a supply closet full of them
  • frydogbrewsfrydogbrews
    Posts: 44,679
    Lakewood said:



    true. i should wrap it in some plastic and put a logo on it. then i can sell it.


    just keep the logo reserved and you could sell it to university's, private research labs and walgreens photo labs (where FZ works) for bunches of money
  • BenvarineBenvarine
    Posts: 1,606
    I use the standard funnel and optional screen available at most lhbs. Works great for catching the bar.
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    Ok, I have a simple design that I will unveil shortly. It'll be a $2 bar catcher.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Lakewood said:

    Ok, I have a simple design that I will unveil shortly. It'll be a $2 bar catcher.



    One chopstick, and one wad of gum..... Replacement pack of gum sold separately
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 123,188
    azscoob said:



    One chopstick, and one wad of gum..... Replacement pack of gum sold separately


    well.. yeah, i guess... but my idea is a little more hygienic.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Lakewood said:



    well.. yeah, i guess... but my idea is a little more hygienic.


    But mine tastes like gum!
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • jeepinjeepinjeepinjeepin
    Posts: 18,099
    I have a 1000ml and 2000ml, of which the 2000ml gets considerably more use. I've considered a 5000ml but for the cost I might just have to slum it with gallon jugs and steps. A 100ml and 500ml would be more useful than the 5000ml especially for bottle cultures and wild yeast projects for a lot less $$$.
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