Hi everyone. Thanks for reading my posts and for hosting a forum for beginners.
Previously I have made beer in an Ale Pail (from a kit) and a dandelion wine (made in a big pot). Both turned out well.
Currently I am making wine from honeysuckle flowers that have overtaken the perimeter of my yard. I decided to make this in my Ale Pail, since it already has an airlock, etc.
Last night I added the activated yeast and today when I stirred the bucket a large fizzing activity began. However, when I reread the directions of the site (http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/reques81.asp), I noticed that I am supposed to transfer the wine to a secondary after 30 days, and then "top it up." My research showed that this means to add something to the wine to make the liquid as close to the lid as possible.
Since I am using the 5 gallon "ale pail" and my wine is less than two gallons, there is a lot of extra space. I don't want to add more wine or vodka or marbles or any of that stuff. How necessary is this step? Could I just rack the wine into a smaller container and put a towel over it? I don't have an airlock to fit anything other than my Ale Pail.
Tonight I am adding the yeast to my mulberry must and I think I may encounter a similar problem.
Thoughts, suggestions, insults?
Thanks again.
Vile Whale
Previously I have made beer in an Ale Pail (from a kit) and a dandelion wine (made in a big pot). Both turned out well.
Currently I am making wine from honeysuckle flowers that have overtaken the perimeter of my yard. I decided to make this in my Ale Pail, since it already has an airlock, etc.
Last night I added the activated yeast and today when I stirred the bucket a large fizzing activity began. However, when I reread the directions of the site (http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/reques81.asp), I noticed that I am supposed to transfer the wine to a secondary after 30 days, and then "top it up." My research showed that this means to add something to the wine to make the liquid as close to the lid as possible.
Since I am using the 5 gallon "ale pail" and my wine is less than two gallons, there is a lot of extra space. I don't want to add more wine or vodka or marbles or any of that stuff. How necessary is this step? Could I just rack the wine into a smaller container and put a towel over it? I don't have an airlock to fit anything other than my Ale Pail.
Tonight I am adding the yeast to my mulberry must and I think I may encounter a similar problem.
Thoughts, suggestions, insults?
Thanks again.
Vile Whale