cjeanean
Well-Known Member
I'm on my first batch, and it's been going for almost 5 days. I'm using a balloon airlock till I can get to the homebrew store (which should be tomorrow). First few days it was going like crazy, balloon was completely inflated. Now, the balloon has decreased in size and the cider has a bubbly layer of foam on the top (only a little, though, kinda like if you try to run a bubble bath with cold water and not enough soap). Is this normal? The cider hasn't cleared at all, and on primary inspection it doesn't look like there's a layer of lees on the bottom of the jug. Recipe is as follows:
4.5 gal apple juice (store bought, no preservatives)
3lbs table sugar (reduced in simple syrup)
1 packet of Lalvin 71b1122
Yeast nutrient per instructions
Jug is a #1 5 gal water bottle. When should I rack it? How will I be able to tell if primary is done with? I don't have a hydrometer, I thought I'd just wait till it started to clear.
Thanks!
4.5 gal apple juice (store bought, no preservatives)
3lbs table sugar (reduced in simple syrup)
1 packet of Lalvin 71b1122
Yeast nutrient per instructions
Jug is a #1 5 gal water bottle. When should I rack it? How will I be able to tell if primary is done with? I don't have a hydrometer, I thought I'd just wait till it started to clear.
Thanks!