Wyeast Packs

It seems like my last activator pack swelled so much it looked as if it might pop. Do propagator packs swell as much?

they all swell up tight like that. the activator packs simply have a larger initial colony. in the past, when I used a propagator pack, it took a full day to swell. activator takes like 2-3 hours.

Thank you!

Do you think it will be alright to make a starter if it is only swollen up half way?

another question to add to this...what is the difference between the propigator and the regular smack packs?

mot said:

another question to add to this...what is the difference between the propigator and the regular smack packs?

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Basically, the amount of yeast. The regular smack packs are made with enough yeast that, theoretically, they can be pitched directly into the wort. The 'propogator' packs are used for making starters.

Chris_Dog said:

Thank you!

Do you think it will be alright to make a starter if it is only swollen up half way?

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that'll be fine

and whether propogator or activator, it's always good to do a starter anyway

gnets99 said:

Basically, the amount of yeast. The regular smack packs are made with enough yeast that, theoretically, they can be pitched directly into the wort. The 'propogator' packs are used for making starters.

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are the propogators cheaper? I havent priced them I have always just used the smack packs to make starters, if they have more cell count wont making starters out of them vs making a starter out of the prop...get you a better starter

mot said:

are the propogators cheaper? I havent priced them I have always just used the smack packs to make starters

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yep, but only a couple of bucks, i think...

mot said:

if they have more cell count wont making starters out of them vs making a starter out of the prop...get you a better starter

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yep