Currently im waiting for my stir bar to arrive in the mail. it should be here in the next few days. i have read some posts online about smacking a day per month ahead of time. i want to use my new stir plate so if i gotta wait ill wait. but my question is, if i smack it how many days can it sit before i HAVE to use it? should it be refrigerated the whole time, after 24 hours, or what? also will it explode if left in the pack too long? lastly, if i make a starter with it and the stir bar arrives the next day can i stir it then or is it too late? thanks to all those who post!