How to smack a smack pack... This shouldn't be this hard...

Driftwood · 08-22-2005, 07:14 PM

Ok, so I'm having some difficulty here...

Anynbody have a surefire way to smack a Wyeast smack pack? I only had a few minutes on the weekend to smack a pack before I left for a full day, but I couldn't seem to get it done, so I had to put it back in the fridge and missed my brew day, damn it!!!!!

I tried just bursting it by hand, by stepping on it with my heal, but nothin seemed to work...

HELP!!!!!

loopmd · 08-22-2005, 07:23 PM

Clean and sanitize a nice empty beer bottle. Cut pack open and pour contents into the bottle. Put a balloon over the bottle lip. Wait a day, voila, pitch.

loop

Driftwood · 08-22-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loopmd

Clean and sanitize a nice empty beer bottle. Cut pack open and pour contents into the bottle. Put a balloon over the bottle lip. Wait a day, voila, pitch.

loop

Yeah, well, I guess that'll work too... But the whole point of these packs is supposed to be so you don't have to do this... any other suggestions?

loopmd · 08-22-2005, 07:40 PM

My experience with them has been about like yours, thus the other suggestion. It will get you by with the one you have now and then never buy another one again.

vtfan99 · 08-22-2005, 08:58 PM

I've never had a problem (knock on wood). I hold it in one hand and feel around for the inner pouch. Once found, I try to cup my hand just a little so that the pouch fits in it. Then I hit it as hard as I can with my other hand. Usually this works. Not very scientific and Im sure I'll have problems eventually. Probably should do what loopmd suggests, but Im too damn lazy

bikebryan · 08-23-2005, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driftwood

Ok, so I'm having some difficulty here...

Anynbody have a surefire way to smack a Wyeast smack pack? I only had a few minutes on the weekend to smack a pack before I left for a full day, but I couldn't seem to get it done, so I had to put it back in the fridge and missed my brew day, damn it!!!!!

I tried just bursting it by hand, by stepping on it with my heal, but nothin seemed to work...

HELP!!!!!

I've never used anything but Wyeast smack packs and only once did I have a problem. I usually just hold it in one hand, flat in my palm, then use my other hand and smack it as hard as I can.

I did this once by laying the pack on a counter and smacking it with my palm, and ended up with a small amount of it on the counter, as both the inner and outer pack ruptured. The hardness of the counter was obviously much more than that of my hand. I've never tried that again; now I always just use two hands and never have any problems.

Sir Sudster · 08-23-2005, 12:42 AM

Hey wait, I just noticed .... What is this ..2 Keg system in the mail!!
What's up Bro! You haven't told us about this.

cbotrice · 08-23-2005, 02:32 AM

First time I used one, I laid it out on the counter pushed the bubble into one corner and then pressed on it with my other hand till it popped. MPW

3rd and Long · 08-23-2005, 02:33 AM

I've had problems the last 4 times with smack packs. I say screw it and just do a starter, or better yet, harvest your own yeast.

**Baron von BeeGee** · 08-23-2005, 03:40 PM

I can't ever seem to find the little pouch, so I just lay it on the counter and beat it 3-4 times. I've never ruptured the outer pouch, but I don't hit it full force, and it's always activated for me (knock on wood).