Hemp Not Splitting

[Elton]

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Please can anyone help. The hemp I am buying from my pet shop isn't splitting properly after soaking and boiling. Just a little of it is. What am I doing wrong?

[Dales]

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At a guess I would suggest that you may not be boiling it for long enough. It's been a few years since I have prepared my own hemp, but if boiled for long enough it should start to split.

[chavender]

theres a few reasons why this is failing too split ,the quality of the hemp ,not soaked long enough ,not boiled long enough ,too much in the pan of water etc .it'll need a touch of experimenting too find what works best for you .

 

soaking:

use a ratio of 2:1 two pints of water per pint of hemp best done in a bucket ,soak for at least 12 hours but upto 24 might be needed

 

boiling:

boil the hemp in its soaking water again with a 2:1 ratio just add a spoonfull of baking powder too each panfull ,if theres too much hemp too water ratio it'll take longer too reach optimum tempature so perlonging the boiling times needed ,its better too boil less hemp in more water in several loads then just chuck the lot in one go .regular stiring also help with a even split too the hemp ,you'll need too monitor the hemp while it boils as theres no magic moment when hemp will split all together in unison ,just hang in there untill the majority has split .

 

if the above fails too get a better ratio of split hemp buy your raw hemp someware else as its obviously defective or old shop stock .

 

you could try using a different method like using a old flask ,fill a old flask 2/3rds full of hemp (pre soaked) then top off with boiling water and seal then shake up and leave overnight ,if a greater amount is needed use a bucket with a tight sealing lid and wrap in a blanket ,again 2/3rds hemp too water ,pour on the boiling water (quick as you safely can) and seal then leave over night .

[wotnobivvy]

Or if all else fails go and buy a tin of Frezied Hemp. Just remove lid and use

[arbocop]

An angler has posted this question on the Anglers' Net on Facebook page. If you can help, please post your reply here and I'll add a link to this thread:

 

 

I haven't done this for at least 25 years, but I'm sure I used to add a half teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to the soaking water....

 

 

or is that mushy peas?

[chavender]

I haven't done this for at least 25 years, but I'm sure I used to add a half teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to the soaking water....

 

 

or is that mushy peas?

 

see its been a while since i last brewed some up ,i think mistakenly put baking powder instead of Bicarboate of soda (although both probably will do the same thing ,and cooking isn't my strong point ) if memory serves me right (it probably won't) its added so the kernal/seed turns black'er rather than a dirty dark brown colour .and added too the boiling pan .

[gozzer]

I haven't done this for at least 25 years, but I'm sure I used to add a half teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to the soaking water....

 

 

or is that mushy peas?

 

 

Mushy Peas, mmmmm...now there's a subject close to my heart.

 

I agree with the amounts/ratios that chavender says, but I soak them by sprinkling bicarb on them, and then covering them with boiling water. Leave over night and then boil as suggested above. I have my own special hemp pan, because the wife doesn't like the smell, I love it.

It's worth saving the water to add to groundbait as well.

 

If the stuff you are buying still doesn't split to your satisfaction, then use it as loose feed or in groundbait, and try another supplier.

 

John.

[watatoad]

Problem if you use unopened hemp as loose feed you can get a lot more line bites.

 

I soak mine for 24 hours always as you can never guarantee the freshness. but the flash method is usually more than adequate for most anglers for a days fishing.

[gozzer]

Problem if you use unopened hemp as loose feed you can get a lot more line bites.

 

I soak mine for 24 hours always as you can never guarantee the freshness. but the flash method is usually more than adequate for most anglers for a days fishing.

 

I've never had much problem with line bites when fishing hemp, I find that bunching the shot, or using an alternative helps.

 

John.

[Andy Macfarlane]

Soak the hemp for 12-24 hours and then boil in water until majority of the kernels split. Adding bicarb makes the hemp black and shiny, which to be honest, serves no purpose that I can see. I seem to recall an article suggesting the black sheen made the split hemp resemble water snails.

 

I too, keep the water for adding to groundbait. It's not much use for anything else.