OntarioBeerKegs.com has hops

[ontariobeerkegs]

Sorry I am not trying to argue. Just because the bags are puffy does not mean the seal broke or the integrity of the hops has been compromised. Those bags are vacuum sealed at 85PSI and they are a generic Mylar (just not the brand name). 2.2MM thickness. The only difference in material is the TM. It is likely just a case of degassing or expansion from being cold in the freezer then travelling at higher temperatures. I know it happens, and I know the smaller amounts are more prone to it. We ordered a skid from hopsdirect not to long ago made up of vacuum sealed 11bags. Only about four bags arrived with the brick feel. It is just the way it is.

We are experimenting with alternatives like packaging at room temps, more and less nitro. And have custom made samples of 4.4 and 4.2 bags for pounds. The weird part in all this is plastic bags do not have the poof problem since the gas just premeates and exits the bags before expansion.

http://themeyers.org/HomeRoast/Topic11341.htm

[Kyle]

Hops direct is moving away from the brick-like sealed bags. Apparently the industry standard is as well.

[ontariobeerkegs]

Do you know what they are changing to? Nitro pillows are from what we looked at are best way to send them from a preserving standpoint. Keeps the pellets intact and air free. This causes problems though because hard to tell if the package has been compromised. Rule of thumb without fancy equipment is if you can not smell it or squeeze it empty the package is good.

Vacuum packing grinds the pellets and creates dust in the bag that has low utilization. Compromised bags will have free moving pellets with no pocket.Presentation is much better since the brick is assumed to be perfect. Major downside to vacuum packing in Mylar is the pellets will cause micro tears in the bags, the bags have no stretch like plastic. A conversation I saw on Probrewer said you would need 9mm bags to ensure no problems. How do you pass along the price of a $2 bag for one oz of pellets?

I have tried both and will likely return the nitro module since too many complaints for the puff. Input is appreciated, this is not stuff you can learn from a class!

[Richard]

Thanks for the dialog, I think it helps both sides of the fence

[Kyle]

Hi OBK,

This is on the Hops Direct website: We are in the process of moving from a tight, hard vacuum to the newer industry standard "soft packs".
http://www.hopsdirect.com/pellet-hops-domestic/

I don't really know much about the new format beyond that, but I'm sure Hops Direct would have a press release for it if contacted.

[Chris Craig]

Thanks for the info OBK - I know the Perle that Chris received was extremely well packed, and the shrink wrapped mylar was very tight.

Funny thing about that.  They were sitting in my fridge for a week or so, then one day I saw that the bag was no longer sealed tight.  Not sure what happend.  Perhaps thicker bags are in order.  I'm not worried about it.  It was sealed well when I got it.  I'm just going to open the bag soon anyway.