[rdwhahb]

I have just started to use liquid yeast and am very happy with it. The concern I have is shipping it during the cold winter months. Is there any precautions one takes when they order liquid yeast over cold months?

[bassriverbrewer]

Your better off in the winter yeast doesnt like heat and summer is harder on yeast.  It needs to ship usually 2nd day with an ice pack

[tygo]

Just try not to let the package set outside for any longer than necessary.  I've had a couple slushy yeast packs already this winter.  They all turned out fine though after throwing them into a starter.

[theDarkSide]

One of the yeast guys ( Wyeast I think ) was on the Brewing Network and said even if it freezes, you only lose about 10% viability.  But I would recommend a starter regardless.

[alikocho]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have a question related to this - I've bought some yeast here in the US, that I'll take back to the UK. Should I use an icepack that's been frozen or just that's been in the refrigerator?

[theDarkSide]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have a question related to this - I've bought some yeast here in the US, that I'll take back to the UK. Should I use an icepack that's been frozen or just that's been in the refrigerator?

The frozen ice pack will keep it colder, longer.  Since the ice pack will start defrosting as soon as you take it out of the freezer, it's unlikely it's going to freeze your yeast.

[tubercle]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have a question related to this - I've bought some yeast here in the US, that I'll take back to the UK. Should I use an icepack that's been frozen or just that's been in the refrigerator?

Cold has way, way less impact on yeast than heat. Remember, yeast are wild animals (actually fungi ) that have survived millions of winters.

[tschmidlin]

Just to be safe, wrap the frozen cold pack in a paper towel.  It will be fine.  You might put it in the checked baggage too, I suspect it will be cooler there than in the cabin.

[bluesman]

Watch the weather forecast in the region and try to time the shipment based on the weather. I try to order my yeast in the fall and spring months to avoid a potential problem like freezing or overheating. If you really need it, I would overnight or at least second day ship on a moderate forecast.

Good Luck!

[alikocho]

Just to be safe, wrap the frozen cold pack in a paper towel.  It will be fine.  You might put it in the checked baggage too, I suspect it will be cooler there than in the cabin.

With the current regulations, it has to go in the hold. I just want to be sure that the vials make it with some viability.

[tschmidlin]

Just to be safe, wrap the frozen cold pack in a paper towel.  It will be fine.  You might put it in the checked baggage too, I suspect it will be cooler there than in the cabin.

With the current regulations, it has to go in the hold. I just want to be sure that the vials make it with some viability.

What did you get?  You said vials, so White Labs?

Wyeast propagators should be small enough to take on the plane, but either way I'd put it in the hold.  And I'd put it in some kind of ziploc bag just in case   It probably won't be an issue since they are shipped all of the time, but you never know.

[euge]

Shoot an 8 hour trip? I'm assuming you're flying from NY. A frozen 20oz pop bottle alongside your yeast packed in the suitcase should still icy when you get home. And the yeast cold.

Probably they'd be ok even without that. The temps they'll travel in will be cold. Cold NY. Cold airplane hold. England is probably pretty chilly too.

[alikocho]

Just to be safe, wrap the frozen cold pack in a paper towel.  It will be fine.  You might put it in the checked baggage too, I suspect it will be cooler there than in the cabin.

With the current regulations, it has to go in the hold. I just want to be sure that the vials make it with some viability.

What did you get?  You said vials, so White Labs?

Wyeast propagators should be small enough to take on the plane, but either way I'd put it in the hold.  And I'd put it in some kind of ziploc bag just in case   It probably won't be an issue since they are shipped all of the time, but you never know.

I got some White Labs vials, on the basis that I have had a Wyeast Activator smacked in transit. Wyeast Propagators didn't even occur to me, but they would have been another way to go.

An yes, it's an 8 hour flight from NY to London, followed by a 2 hour drive at the other end. In all, transit time will probably be 16 hours.

[alikocho]

Unpacked the vials from my bags a few hours.  Packed with an ice pack wrapped in a paper towel.  All seemed fine and at araound refrigerator temps. Thanks for the advice!

[euge]

Safe and sound the little expatriates are... awwww,