How do you pull the string??

[pennbrew2]

I'm a bit embarassed to admit, but after 20+ years of opening malt bags I still don't know the trick of neatly unraveling the stitched end. Cargill bags are great, they have a paper pull-tab that cleanly unstitches the string. Weyermann and similar bags are a different story. I'm successful in opening them maybe 1 time in 5. I'm usually reduced to hacking at it with a knife.

So what is the trick?

---Guy

[theburden]

Let me see if I can explain this without looking at a bag.

If you cut off the string on one side of the bag and fiddle with the two strands a bit, you should see loops being left behind. If you aren't forming loops by pulling out one strand, you are probably pulling on the wrong string. Try the other side of the bag. Usually all of your bags are sewn the same way, but it really depends on who was sewing your bags. If you get premill, it could be different every time. So cut off the end, look for loops, and pull on the string that isn't the loops.

good luck.

[dberg]

weyermann bag instructions (http://www.weyermann.de/usa/produkte_neu.asp?go=ms&umenue=yes&idmenue=269&sprache=10)

[pennbrew2]

Thanks to both of you!

Looks easy enough....

---Guy

[Beersmith]

On all of our Crisp, Simpsons, Durst & Weyermann bags, I use the following method. Turn the bag so the side with the double thread stitching is facing you. Start on the left side of the bag. Use a knife and cut the first two stitches, then pull the string and it comes clear. It works for me 95% of the time, when it doesn't I just slice the whole bag as I'm trying to keep up with the mill and don't want to waste time messing around.

[Michael Murphy]

On all of our Crisp, Simpsons, Durst & Weyermann bags, I use the following method. Turn the bag so the side with the double thread stitching is facing you. Start on the left side of the bag. Use a knife and cut the first two stitches, then pull the string and it comes clear. It works for me 95% of the time, when it doesn't I just slice the whole bag as I'm trying to keep up with the mill and don't want to waste time messing around.


I do the same and as almost always when the mill is running dry and you want to hurry up with the next bag, I pull too hard and they bind up again, so simply grab the string left on the back side (the side with only one string showing and pull that one too, then pull them both at about a 30 degree angle from the left side and they will pull free.

Damm strings- I hired a brewer once who was just slicing the bags open with a razor, then the farmer complained about the spent grains containing mall slivers of white plastic...

[dfougeron]

A good sharp razorblade in one of those fold out locking razor knives is a brewers best friend. I've gotten to the point where I don't even pull the strings on domestic malt any more. I can get 'em open faster with old mr. slicey.

[calltmont]

The first brewer I worked with showed me the secret to opening a bag, and that I should consider this my union card showing that I am a brewer in good standing.

[pbutlert]

Bairds always seem to have a side of the bag has a shorter length of strings, I always have the best luck starting on that one. :)

[lhall]

The trick is a good strong cup of coffee and a sharp knife. Cut through the first two loops and then pull.