Ingredients 5 gallons fresh pressed no preservatives apple cider (I did not campden tablet the mix however, and they insist there is no potassium sorbate in it)
2 Packs expired (it expired in Jan 09) Lalvin d47 (I placed it in 1.5 cups warm water to rehydrate it before pitching) and it seemed ok then
1/4 tsp pectic enzyme
I placed this in my plastic bucket primary (everything sanitized of course) and let it go. Nothing happened (though there is a massive amount of sediment at the bottom of the fermenter). It is worth pointing out that the day after this started we were hit by a heat wave and the house got into the mid/high 80's for a few days before we got back to more seasonal cool temperatures.
Since it hadn't started bubbling by May 1, I picked up a fresh packet of Lalvin D47, and pitched that dry on May 2.
Still nothing, I opened it up and there is a yeasty smell to it, and there seems to be some bubbles on the top (they aren't popping, I don't want to call it slime, but there is something I feel I could skim off the top)
Any ideas? I am stumped!
I made a 1 gallon batch of this using store bought no preservatives apple juice and had wonderful results (because it was already clear I didn't add the pectic enzyme).
Thanks!!
PS the Mead I made the same evening is going wonderfully, so at least that did work for me :-D
Last edited by Skarredmind; 05-05-2009 at 07:31 PM.
Reason: I can't spell :)
The water was warm to the touch, not hot, so I estimate in the 80-90 degree range, though I did not keep exact measurements on that part.
OG was 1.054 I will have the current SG as soon as my equipment is sanitized.
Assuming this is a leak, the solution would be to rack it to an airtight carboy correct? Or should I let it sit in the primary longer? Will it hurt the cider if I rack it "too soon". Also is there any reason to not leave the sediment behind?
Air leak in early primary is OK. I don't airlock until secondary. Sometimes I primary in a bucket with a towel draped on top. Go ahead and rack after 2-4 weeks to a carboy (glass or PET) then make sure you have an air tight seal. Then age for 3-12 months...
__________________ Mead Lane Brewing The liver is evil and must be punished
With straight juice, that much yeast and 80F, a two-day ferment is nominal.
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Remember one unassailable statistic, as explained by the late, great George Carlin: "Just think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half of them are even stupider!"
And the hydrometer calms another soul....
What a tool, without it I could not sleep at night.
Best of luck, sounds like it will be interesting with two yeast types, please post how it ends up.
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In Primary: Belgium Chimay clones.
In Secondary: Braggot, pale ale, end of the world white.
Conditioning: Mead, Cider, braggot, Belgium Wheat.
On Tap: Clones, Chimay Blue, Red, Porter, malted cider.
Bottles: Far, far, too many to list.
Cider won't start fermenting
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