Wyeast Activator not swelling!

[Skittlebrau]

My smack pack of WY1728 has been left out overnight and then smacked three hours ago but it isn't swelling. I've given it a proper beating...

When I squeeze the bottom of the pack, there's clear movement of most of the mass inside the package, making me wonder if I've actually managed to break the inner packet, but on the other hand before I smacked it the first time it was easy to make out the shape of the inner packet and now I can't do that at all....

Bottom line, if it doesn't swell can I still use it for today's brew?

[Underthethumb]

I have used these packs twice. Neither swelled and after pitching they failed to work. I've gone back to dry yeast.

[Beer O'Clock]

As taken from their instructions....note 3....
[quote=]Allow the package to incubate and swell for 3 hours or more (it is not necessary for this package to fully swell before use) at 70-75°F (21-24°C).[/quote]

[gregorach]

Three hours my arse... I've not used the Activators, but I know the Propagators could take days to swell, especially if they're a bit old, or have suffered in transport and storage. It's a shame that many people's first experiences of liquid yeast are ruined by these unrealistic expectations...

EDIT: the bit I'd emphasise in the instructions is "three hours or more".

[Skittlebrau]

The first one I had swelled up with no problem. Shall I pitch anyway? I have some S-04 on standby should fermentation not start.

[Aleman]

Propagator Packs used to say Allow 1 day per month past the production date. Although I had a pack that was 4 years old (lost in fridge) that swell within 5 days

[Steve B]

I've used them too and some have taken several days to swell noticably. Been ok when pitched, though.

[gregorach]

The first one I had swelled up with no problem. Shall I pitch anyway? I have some S-04 on standby should fermentation not start.

If you can't easily postpone your brewday until it does, then yeah.

[Skittlebrau]

Hops are already steeping hahaha! I'll pitch, give it 48 hours and if no fermentation I'll stick the S-04 in. Fingers crossed!

[Wezzel]

Mine swell within the hour, straight from the fridge to the airing cupboard. I always pick mine up from my LHBS in person though and put them straight in the coldest part of the fridge as soon as I got home. The last one I used was 6 months old.

[wilsoa11111]

got mine from a reputable supplier by mail, swelled in 3hrs no probs-

think the whole point if it doesnt swell is so u can get in though with the shop and give em some aggro- i know i would

the other time i got some yeast in a smack pack( thrown in as a freebie as it was going off) they prewacked it for me then sent it over when they knew it was good, so they didnt send me a duffer

[zgoda]

No matter how fresh these packs are, I always make starter. The advertised live cell amount is usually greatly overstated.

[mark4newman]

Hi

I use get problems with it taking a long time to swell up....ohhh err.

Now, as per zgoda, I just make a starter. Nothing better for getting it going than spining the yeast around at a few hundred revs per min....they soon wake up from that..

[Skittlebrau]

I'll make a starter in future. It's not worth the risk of £7 down the drain, although this is a bit annoying when I had no problem at all with the last one of these I used. Fingers crossed it'll work out this time.

[Underthethumb]

Three hours my arse... I've not used the Activators, but I know the Propagators could take days to swell, especially if they're a bit old, or have suffered in transport and storage. It's a shame that many people's first experiences of liquid yeast are ruined by these unrealistic expectations...

EDIT: the bit I'd emphasise in the instructions is "three hours or more".

True. I've been put right off liquid yeast as a result but I will have to try again I think