Wyeast Smack Pack & Starter

[madnetter1]

Hey everyone,

I have been building up to all grain the last couple months, gathering equipment, knowledge, etc. so my much anticipated first AG brew day will be this weekend!

I am also planning on doing a starter for the first time with my Wyeast 1010 smack pack. My question on that is kind of two-fold. First, should I activate the smack pack for a few hours before pitching to the starter? Second, is it beneficial to also add yeast nutrient to the starter?

Just wondering if this is overkill or if it is a good way to go about the process.

Thanks!

 

[progmac]

pinch of nutrient plus pre-smacking is good practice

 

[hunter306]

I just recently used a Wyeast Smack Pack for the first time (had been using Whitelabs vials on the last few). I just broke the inner pack and poured everything into my starter vessel immediately. No need to wait 3 hrs to pour it, the yeast will be just fine in the starter as long as the temps are appropriate.

My 2c.

 

[Yooper]

You don't have to let the pack swell before using, and especially not in a starter.

From Wyeast's own website: "The cell count does not increase significantly when the package is activated."

 

[madnetter1]

Thanks for the advice! I will just break it and pitch my starter.