Inner smack packs are tough suckers

[TravelingLight]

I was making a starter for my saison last night. I've used liquid yeast in the past but last night was my first time using a WY smack pack. I smacked it and thought I had the inner pouch busted and all mixed up. I let it swell some, got my wort ready. Wort was chilled (at least enough...it was still about 83 but I was ready for bed!). When I opened the smack pack I noticed the inner nute pouch was not busted. I almost had a mini freak out moment but I remembered to RDWHAH.

I used some sanitized scissors to carefully cut open the nute pouch and swirl it around inside the pouch as best as possible without spilling it and went ahead and pitched it in the flask. No problems as it was bubbling away this morning.

Any tips or tricks for smack packs when I use them in the future? I didn't want to get all hammer time on it and bust the whole pack all over the kitchen.

 

[DrWill]

Just FYI you don't have to break the interior pouch if you don't want to. It's just there to "wake up" the yeast. One solution is to bypass the interior pouch and make a starter. That's what I do in most cases.

When I have skipped the starter, I've never had an issue; I just sort of navigate the interior pouch to the corner and hit it hard with my palm. Don't be shy; the packaging can take a punch. Once you do it you should be able to a) feel that the pouch is broken and b) hear little bit of fizzing.

Hope that helps.

 

[TravelingLight]

Just FYI you don't have to break the interior pouch if you don't want to. It's just there to "wake up" the yeast. One solution is to bypass the interior pouch and make a starter. That's what I do in most cases.

When I have skipped the starter, I've never had an issue; I just sort of navigate the interior pouch to the corner and hit it hard with my palm. Don't be shy; the packaging can take a punch. Once you do it you should be able to a) feel that the pouch is broken and b) hear little bit of fizzing.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Doc. Yeah, I was making a starter. I thought I had busted it because I did hear fizzing. But it could have been from the shaking and agitation. Regardless, it worked so no worries. But I am glad to now know that when I'm making a starter I don't even need that inner pouch. Thanks!

 

[buzd]

I smacked one once and left it on the counter to swell. I came back to a counter full of yeast.

I'm really not a fan of the smack packs.

 

[diverjim]

I use these packets all the time, and I agree with DrWill...you can lay the pouch down on a flat surface and feel for the nutrient module and shift it towards one corner of the pouch. Then a firm (but not crazy) smack with the palm of your hand and you'll be able to tell that the nutrient module is broken.

I also sanitize the pouch before cutting it open, and only cut a small corner of the pack off so that the nutrient module cannot slip out while pouring out the yeast.

I believe you did fine with your "fix", and strictly speaking, the nutrient module does not have to be used, but it helps!

Good luck!

 

[DrWill]

I smacked one once and left it on the counter to swell. I came back to a counter full of yeast.

I'm really not a fan of the smack packs.

What'd ya hit it with? A table saw? [emoji6]

 

[diverjim]

I smacked one once and left it on the counter to swell. I came back to a counter full of yeast.

I'm really not a fan of the smack packs.

Buzd, sounds like you hit it waaaay too hard! :smack:
You just want to break open the nutrient module, not kill the whole package! :cross: LOL

The Wyeast smack packs work great - I've never had a bad one.

Cheers!

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

I tend to prefer to drop kick my "smack" packs.

 

[unionrdr]

I was moving the nutrient pouch to the center of the pack, then smacking it with the butt of my hand. Being a ham-handed autoworker,...well, wasn't always a good thing. Or it just wouldn't break. Sometimes 2-3 of them being folded over each other. Other times, they just wouldn't break, or broke the pack open. I've since learned to locate the pouch in the center of the pack, then use my whole hand to smack it. That seems to equalize the force applied more evenly across the smack pack. I like these new White labs Packets that replace the tubes. The yeast is grown in an inner pouch. Seems a lot fresher & less lag time involved!

 

[DrWill]

I was moving the nutrient pouch to the center of the pack, then smacking it with the butt of my hand. Being a ham-handed autoworker,...well, wasn't always a good thing. Or it just wouldn't break. Sometimes 2-3 of them being folded over each other. Other times, they just wouldn't break, or broke the pack open. I've since learned to locate the pouch in the center of the pack, then use my whole hand to smack it. That seems to equalize the force applied more evenly across the smack pack.

I've also heard of people using a frying pan; same basic idea of spreading the force out evenly.

 

[TorMag]

I agree that they are tough little bastards. Be careful, I did my second one last Friday and ended up with yeast all over myself and the kitchen. Smack pack was still intact, not so much for the outer package. BTW, London Ale yeast is not all the pleasant smelling.

 

[MaryB]

I work it to a corner then squeeze with my fingers until I feel it pop... yes I have strong hands... I worked for a living!

 

[bacgabe]

I've also heard of people using a frying pan; same basic idea of spreading the force out evenly.

I would think you would NOT want to spread out the force evenly, as then it would exert force on the outer package. A fairly narrow application of force would pinpoint the inner package without bursting the outer. A palm is ok but a frying pan sounds like a bad idea.

 

[unionrdr]

^ I've found repeatedly that doing it that way makes the pouch in the pack slip out of place when you smack it with the butt of your hand. Using my whole hand gets the job done quicker & easier.

 

[buzd]

I agree that they are tough little bastards. Be careful, I did my second one last Friday and ended up with yeast all over myself and the kitchen. Smack pack was still intact, not so much for the outer package. BTW, London Ale yeast is not all the pleasant smelling.

I'm glad it's not just me.

 

[tracyk]

I hate the smack packs, rarely do I get them to bust or if I do the whole darn thing breaks open. I quit trying to smack them. If I use wyeast I just make a starter and say screw it with trying to bust the nutrient pack. I just open the pack after sanitizing my scissors, pour that into my starter, then clean and sanitize the scissors again and cut open the nutrient pack and also pour it into the starter mix. Then place on stir plate. Much easier...

 

[Jaybird]

MAN... I LOVE the smack packs. LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM! I used (and sold) white labs for YEARS!!! Moved to Wyeast about 6 months ago or more and am absolutely thrilled with them. I do have a full palm method breaking the nutrient pack and it just seems to work for me. Lay it on the counter, give it a "reasonable" smack and shake.

Cheers
Jay

 

[kh54s10]

WYEAST has a video on their website that shows how to smack them. You should almost always make a starter so whether the inner pack breaks or not is really no big deal.

 

[TorMag]

WYEAST has a video on their website that shows how to smack them. You should almost always make a starter so whether the inner pack breaks or not is really no big deal.

I've made a starter both times I have used WYEAST, but next time, I plan on not smacking and just pour thr nutrients into the starter instead. Don't want yeast all over the room again.

 

[kh54s10]

I've made a starter both times I have used WYEAST, but next time, I plan on not smacking and just pour thr nutrients into the starter instead. Don't want yeast all over the room again.

I have always tried to break the inner pack. But have given up twice and didn't break it another time. I just sanitize well, fish out the nutrient pack, snip the corner and add it to the starter.

 

[foam_top]

I don't smack the nutrient pouch anymore. If you're using liquid yeast you should be making a starter which lessens the need of a nutrient boost anyway. In theory, it might help one decide if their yeast is viable but I just try to shop trustable sources and dates. Also, I've had issues with the nutrient pouch trapping some of the yeast. Probably not a big deal but I prefer to get every last drop.