Empty packet fell in cool wort...leave it?

[Riker96]

Fellow brewers,

I just stopped home to pitch a packet of safale 05 into my cooled wort and while shaking the last grains in, the empty packet fell right into the fermentor.

I rushed to get some tongs sanitized to fish it out but I failed miserably and the empty packet sank into the abyss.

While agitating with my sanitized brew spoon, I tried to get it again but suffered yet another defeat.

I'm planning to leave it in there at this point. Further tinkering could cause introduction of other problems, I figure.

The packet had previously been stored in the fridge, so the only contaminants would have come from my fingers as I handled it while opening and sprinkling.

What do you guys think? Leave it or mount another recovery effort?

I'm a first-time poster but long-time reader. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[freisste]

I'm not sure fishing it out at this point will help anything. Any damage (and I'm not saying there will or won't be any) is likely already done. That would be my thought anyway.

Let it ride and watch for signs of infection. Hopefully, considering the high number of cells you pitched, the yeast take over and choke out any competing organisms.

 

[kh54s10]

Agreed that any damage to be done has already occurred. I would leave it in there at this point and hope for the best.

 

[Riker96]

Thanks guys.

One thing I didn't ask:

How likely so you think it is that this wrapper contamination spoils the batch?

Speculation appreciated!

Thanks

 

[alphaomega]

Bacteria multiply a lot faster than yeast. On the other hand you just added a couple of billion of yeasties (hopefully) ready to battle!

You want speculation, here's mine: I'd say that there's a 1 to 10% risk of an infection, from that incident, that would make the beer a dumper.
Further, I'd give my speculation a 1 to 10% chance of being accurate

 

[ncbrewer]

I agree with all of the above. As a precaution in the future, I suggest putting the yeast packet, and the scissors you will open it with, in Star San before opening it. I do this to prevent any contamination on the outside of the packet from contacting the yeast as I dump it out of the packet.

 

[Jim311]

I wouldn't worry too much about the packet contaminating anything, I'd worry about the fact that it's sealed and foil lined and isn't going to let the yeast out. You need to pitch more yeast ASAP.

 

[PADave]

I agree with all of the above. As a precaution in the future, I suggest putting the yeast packet, and the scissors you will open it with, in Star San before opening it. I do this to prevent any contamination on the outside of the packet from contacting the yeast as I dump it out of the packet.

Do this. And while you're at it start rehydrating your dry yeast and you won't have this problem, and your yeast might be happier.

 

[PADave]

Fellow brewers,

I just stopped home to pitch a packet of safale 05 into my cooled wort and while shaking the last grains in, the empty packet fell right into the fermentor.

I wouldn't worry too much about the packet contaminating anything, I'd worry about the fact that it's sealed and foil lined and isn't going to let the yeast out. You need to pitch more yeast ASAP.

The yeast has been opened.

 

[TorMag]

do this. And while you're at it start rehydrating your dry yeast and you won't have this problem, and your yeast might be happier.

+2

 

[oakbarn]

I have dropped many items into cooled wort and have not had an issue yet. I do put the sissors and yeast packs in StarSan and even dip my hands in it before I open the yeasties. I normally also take a small water bottle and open it and pour half the water out and soak the resealed bottle in the StarSan. I pour the yeast in the water about 10 minutes before pitching.

 

[Riker96]

Update: no negative impact can be identified from the packet. Tastes great.

Still, I will definitely be following recommended sanitation steps in the future. Many thanks to all responders.

 

[TorMag]

Update: no negative impact can be identified from the packet. Tastes great.

Still, I will definitely be following recommended sanitation steps in the future. Many thanks to all responders.

You know now, if you ever make that recipe again, you are going to have to drop the packet in to get the same results.......

 

[GHBWNY]

Hey, if they can throw a worm into a bottle of tequila... Just sayin'.

 

[Homercidal]

Next time if you drop something in there, sanitize your arm and reach in and get it. It's no biggie.

 

[PADave]

Next time if you drop something in there, sanitize your arm and reach in and get it. It's no biggie.

I'd rather go with the leave it crowd. Now you're sticking two foreign objects in.

 

[Singletrack]

Next time if you drop something in there, sanitize your arm and reach in and get it. It's no biggie.

More impressive if you sanitize your whole head, then dive in and retrieve it with your teeth. Again, no biggie.

 

[alphaomega]

Don't use your teeth... You can't go wrong with tongs