Tips on opening Hanna packets and getting all the reagent?

[burningmime]

Maybe I'm stupid, but I have serious issues getting all the reagent powder out of a Hanna packet. Seems like every time I try, some portion of it falls on the table, sides of the vial and/or is stuck in the packet. Anyone have any foolproof tips? I miss leveled spoonfuls like the other test kits :-(

 

[SchrutesReefs]

I cut along the line and fold it outward, like those old-school fortune tellers from middle school. Then I just insert the end of the packet into the vial and tap the packet like a vintage Heinz glass bottle.
But I’m with you on the ol’ spoon method.

 

[Dolphins18]

They are very difficult using just about every method unfortunately. I cut a small corner off the packet with an opening about the size of the opening on the vial, I then use a toothpick to loosen all the powder up and then put the two together and most of it just dumps right into the vial.
One part of me must imagine the folks at Hanna know its a bit difficult and I don't think test results are too skewed if a tad bit doesn't get mixed in.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Your not supposed to get allll the reagents out. Been that way for the past decade

 

[burningmime]

Your not supposed to get allll the reagents out. Been that way for the past decade

Fair enough, but I'd like to at least get roughly the same amount every time. And not get any on the table/my hands/inside of the checker would be cool too.

 

[boacvh]

This technique works for me. Folding the corners.

 

[Mikedawg]

Instead of driving myself crazy (yes, it would be a short trip!) I bought a mini funnel from Amazon and greatly increased my "margin of error" and have never looked back.

iSnuff Mini Funnel Small Funnel 5-Pack for Lab Bottles​

Best $4 I have ever spent.

 

[Pistondog]

1. Pinch packet with thumb and forefinger at corner getting cut off.
2. Tap/shake against table edge to put reagent in opposite corner.
3. Cut packet as indicated
4. Open packet, being careful not to spill
5. Place packet edge in vial opening
6. Raise both together, gently tap on table to dislodge reagent into vial.
7. Repeat at 4 if there's still reagent in pack

 

[FishyFishFish]

 

[MuscleBobBuffPants]

It would be great if they switched to those packets that instant coffee comes in. The rip top style.

 

[Cell]

Plastic vessel would be nice. Straw shaped, think soda bottle type plastic, twist off the top, and pour it in with a couple gently taps or invert and squeeze it a couple times and have air push it out.

 

[MaxTremors]

I fold them in half (so it’s a triangle when folded) and then cut it open. I open the packet up so that the crease from folding makes a litte funnel. I then hold the vial with one hand and the packet with the other, and put the tip of the funnel in the vial and use the pinkie on the hand holding the packet to tap the packet. I’ve never spilt any, get all of it in the vial, and it’s fast and easy to do once you get it down.

 

[MamaP]

+1 on the mini funnels. That's what I use, too.

 

[Siberwulf]

It would be great if they switched to those packets that instant coffee comes in. The rip top style.

Wish you could hijack a Keurig and have pods you just insert to test. Man that would be slick.

 

[JMetaxas]

1. Pinch packet with thumb and forefinger at corner getting cut off.
2. Tap/shake against table edge to put reagent in opposite corner.
3. Cut packet as indicated
4. Open packet, being careful not to spill
5. Place packet edge in vial opening
6. Raise both together, gently tap on table to dislodge reagent into vial.
7. Repeat at 4 if there's still reagent in pack

This is my method. It works well.

 

[burningmime]

Wish you could hijack a Keurig and have pods you just insert to test. Man that would be slick.

LaMotte test kits have tablets that dissolve. You just toss in a tablet and swirl the vial for a couple seconds.

 

[Wasabiroot]

For me, I agree about the "fortune teller" approach. It's much easier if you use the adjacent sides and bend them rather than the initial opening. For reference, I use the ULR phosphorus test and the powder is a pain.

 

[jhuntstl]

I try and loosen everything and let it settle in one corner, I cut the opposite corner and nothing else. I stick the end of my scissors in the open corner I cut to create a diamond shaped opening. If you do it just right, you'll make a crease that acts as a channel for the reagent to fall into. If I did a good job, 95% dumps out after a few taps. I always cut off the sides, open it up and double check for anything I missed.

I like the folding technique mentioned and linked above. I'll try that next time.

 

[jdiefenbaugh]

I flick the bottom with my finger a few times. Sometimes I just tear along with dotted lines, without scissors, to live dangerously.

But seriously, I don't know why they don't make them like Hach, small foil pouches that just cut the top off. So much easier.

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

I dump the packet onto a piece of paper with a crease, then tap into the vial. Super easy.