Why did my wine kit come with two yeast packs?

[Pixalated]

This is my first attempt at making wine. Subject pretty much says it all. My malbec-shiraz kit had two yeast packets in it. I pitched one tonight, but wondering if I should've pitched them both.

Thanks!

 

[WilliamSlayer]

Manufacturing error. I've had it happen. Free yeast!

 

[Sammyk]

Some kits use 2 packs. What does the directions say?

 

[Pixalated]

The instructions just say to add yeast. Nothing about multiple packs.
The airlock is already bubbling.

 

[WilliamSlayer]

Yup. Remember, the kits are assembled by folks on a line. If they grab two yeasts or two sorbate packs, it's too late, and not cost effective to stop the assembly line for a few pennies worth of product.

Bonus for you! Keep it in the fridge as an 'emergency pack'.

 

[helibrewer]

You should use 1-1.5g of yeast per gallon of must....maybe you only had 3g packs??

 

[Pixalated]

Don't know the weight, but the pack said it's good for up to 6 gallons.

 

[Inner10]

Don't know the weight, but the pack said it's good for up to 6 gallons.

Then you are now 49 cents richer.

 

[SagamoreAle]

If you don't see adequate fermentation then pitch the second yeast pack. Or just pitch it to get rid of it.

 

[Felixio]

What kind of kit was it?

I recently had an Ice Wine kit come with three packets of yeast. I assumed that since it was such a high gravity must, then they wanted me to have a higher cell count at pitching without having to ask their customers to build a starter. (And at .50 - $1 a packet, why not just pitch 2 or 3 packets instead of getting a stir plate, flask, and starter must?)

 

[Sammyk]

Look on the instruction sheet there is a list of the included items. Does it say 2 yeast?

 

[Pixalated]

It said nothing about multiple packs. Sounds like it was just a packaging error.

 

[Sammyk]

The kits I have done that had 2 yeast packs said in the directions "If there are 2 yeast packs add both" So if the directions did not say that just add the one. Put the extra in the fridge and you can use it later. The expiration date is generally a long ways out.