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codyjack · 02-01-2013, 03:11 PM

How long before the pitch can I activate a smack pack without it exploding? It says 3 hours but that doesn't seem like enough time. This is my first time using one.

**MalFet** · 02-01-2013, 03:16 PM

3 hours is usually a good amount of time, though it doesn't really matter. I often don't bother smacking it at all, and there's no harm if it's longer than 3 hours. It won't explode in any case.

Denny · 02-01-2013, 10:41 PM

If the beer is over 1.040 OG, I'd advise you to make a starter.

codyjack · 02-02-2013, 07:10 PM

Thanks for the replies. The beer is a hefeweizen brewed this morning with an OG of exactly 1.040. Steeped carawheat at 155 for 30 min, 1 oz hallertau for 60, 1/2 oz for 15, and 1/2 oz flameout. Pitched at around 75. Think ill be ok? Anything you would have done different?

Denny · 02-02-2013, 07:38 PM

I would have gotten the temp down to 62-65 before pitching.

codyjack · 02-02-2013, 07:41 PM

I tried but it just wasn't chilling fast enough in the ice water. I was afraid of contaminating it. A warm pitch is better than skunk, right?

Denny · 02-02-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyjack

I tried but it just wasn't chilling fast enough in the ice water. I was afraid of contaminating it. A warm pitch is better than skunk, right?

Skunking comes from exposure to light. No, a warm pitch isn't better. If your sanitation is as good as it should be, you can let it sit overnight to cool down before pitching. Warm fermentation create fusel alcohols, which give you headaches and make the beer taste like nail polish remover. Fermentation is exothermic...it creates heat. So, pitching at 75 means your beer could be fermenting at 80-85. Definitely not a good thing.

codyjack · 02-02-2013, 08:13 PM

So the yeast base their fermentation temp off the temp of the wort they were pitched into? Sorry if I sound like a newb, it's because I am.

mgortel · 02-02-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

If the beer is over 1.040 OG, I'd advise you to make a starter.

Ditto to that!

Took me many brew sessions to finally start using a starter.....and you really do need a starter for liquid yeast....

duboman · 02-02-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyjack

So the yeast base their fermentation temp off the temp of the wort they were pitched into? Sorry if I sound like a newb, it's because I am.

Yes
It's better to pitch cold and let self rise to the desired fermentation temperature.

Active fermentation will raise the internal temperature 5-10 degrees so you want to try and get the temp down before that happens-swamp cooler-a tub of water filled with cd water, place the vessel in it and add frozen water bottles as necessary to bring the temperature down and maintain it there for at least a week