So, I wanted to brew a 1.080 stout this weekend. I got 2 packs of wyeast 1028 which I intended making a starter with. I smacked them both yesterday, one swelled and one didn’t. My stir plate crapped out and I couldn’t make my starter. I realised that I have a US05 in the fridge that has been sitting there for months. Should I pitch the 2 wyeasts + the US05 or just the 2 wyeasts?
I think that all three yeast pitches would be enough. Also, you can still make a starter without a stir plate.
Great. I’ll just toss in the 3 of them for this batch.
What’s a stir plate? 
I don’t own one and don’t intend to get one. I agree with major.
You can also make a starter whether or not the packs swell.
I made starters for years without a stir plate. I still wouldn’t have one if someone hadn’t given me an old one a few years ago.
LAZY CHEAPSKATE!!! (You can say that to Denny, he considers it the supreme compliment)
I started making them in growlers. No stir plate. Worked just fine, but I do like my stir plates.
Why, thank you, Diane!
Yep, really speeds things up. I use gal. glass jugs after breaking 2 flasks.
Ok, so as it turns out, something came up and I wasn’t able to brew at the weekend. I will not be able to brew for another two weeks and I’ve already activated my 2 smack packs (they are currently in the fridge. One swollen, one not). My stir plate situation will be up and running again before my next brew day. Can I still use these two smack packs to make my starter then or do I need to buy some fresh yeast?
Oh yeah, absolutely you can make a new starter in a couple weeks with the same yeast. No need to buy any more.