Quick question about "smacking" Wyeast packs

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Whippy

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I have never used Wyeast Activator packs and have very limited use of my left hand due to an old spinal cord injury.

Do you think it is viable to lay the pack on a table and break open the activator thingy that way? ... or maybe, can you simply break the thing by applying force with one hand while leveraging it on your leg or something?

I imagine I will be able to improvise SOMEhow if necessary, I just have no idea how these things are made and would like to better understand how "difficult" this may be.

THANKS! :mug:
 
You can smack it against the table with your right hand. You might also be able to squeeze it until it pops. I usually give a hard clap, but I'm right handed and keep it in my left hand and use the power from my right hand.
 
...so would you liken the thing to, say, a little mustard packet inside of the large pack, or like a glow stick, or what?

Like I said, I imagine I'll figure it out but I brew alone so am trying to ascertain whether or not I should recruit a helper just for this one task. Thanks for your feedback, wallerstedt!
 
...so would you liken the thing to, say, a little mustard packet inside of the large pack, or like a glow stick, or what?

Like I said, I imagine I'll figure it out but I brew alone so am trying to ascertain whether or not I should recruit a helper just for this one task. Thanks for your feedback, wallerstedt!

Yeah, like a mustard/soysauce packet inside a bigger packet.
 
If you're making a starter you don't even need to smack it. Just pour the yeast into the starter wort and toss the inner packet in the trash. Or you could cut the inner pack open and add it to the starter for the nutrients in it.


edit:
You actually don't need to smack it even if direct pitching. All smacking does is proof the yeast.
(no growth)
 
Excellent.....thanks y'all!! It is nice to know what to expect!
 
slap it against a table or step on it ..gently of course. You don't need to apply "shock and awe" force to these they are quite weak
 
You don't even really have to smack if you don't want to if you are making a starter.

From the Wyeast FAQ website:

3. Does the package need to be fully swollen before pitching?

No, The package can be pitched before activating, or at anytime during the activation process. The activation process "jump starts" the culture's metabolism, minimizing the lag phase.
 
I usually place a hand in the center (like you would if you were karate chopping it) and then push all of the liquid to one side, leaving the inner-pack on the other. I then isolate the inner pack in a corner and pop it by pressing my weight into the inner pack with my palm (like I was giving it CPR).
 
I prefer lining the inner packet up in the corner and then applying the aforementioned "shock and awe" force, but that is more of a stress release than anything. But as others have said, they are really easy to pop open.
 
Rubber mallet would also work. :rockin:

new or used beer bottles:drunk:

just bust it, shake, and put it in a warm spot for a couple hours. and it will expand like a balloon
 
I prefer lining the inner packet up in the corner and then applying the aforementioned "shock and awe" force, but that is more of a stress release than anything. But as others have said, they are really easy to pop open.

+1 that's how I do it too. Sometimes that inner packet is dang hard to find. But as others have said, no need if you're making a starter.
 
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