Cregar
Well-Known Member
Well I brewed my first batch of Mead tonight. It didn't go to bad, everything timed out pretty good except for cooling the must. I had almost forgot about cooling it before adding the yeast. The yeast sat for approx. 10 minutes after I mixed it up per instruction on the package. I ran out of ice and was only able to get the temp. of the must down to approx. 78 - 80 degrees. My damn digital thermometer decided not to work when I started brewing, so I am guessing about the temp, I was able to put my hands around the brew pot and it didn't feel to warm.
So I poured the must into my 1 gallon carboy, added 1/2 tsp of yeast nutrient then added the yeast. I also added some more water to bring the batch to a gallon . I am hoping that brought the temp down alittle more. Put my sanitized bung and 3 piece airlock into the carboy and put it into a small cooler I have, and added a couple of frozen bottles of water to help keep the temp to around 75 degrees.
I poured some of the must into my Hydrometer Test jar and did a Hydrometer test. Checking the temp. (with my broken thermometer) said the temp was at 83 degrees and the Hydrometer reading was OG (Original Gravity) 1.140. So using the Hydrometer Temperature Correction script on The Recipator website, I came up with a OG of 1.143. I hope that is correct
I will check the batch tomorrow to see if it is fermenting. wish me luck.
PS I need to get a new thermometer
So... is that a good OG for Mead? and will I have a problem not pitching my yeast right away? Also.. I am using a 3 piece airlock, will I have any problems with blowoff, should I use a blowoff tube?
So I poured the must into my 1 gallon carboy, added 1/2 tsp of yeast nutrient then added the yeast. I also added some more water to bring the batch to a gallon . I am hoping that brought the temp down alittle more. Put my sanitized bung and 3 piece airlock into the carboy and put it into a small cooler I have, and added a couple of frozen bottles of water to help keep the temp to around 75 degrees.
I poured some of the must into my Hydrometer Test jar and did a Hydrometer test. Checking the temp. (with my broken thermometer) said the temp was at 83 degrees and the Hydrometer reading was OG (Original Gravity) 1.140. So using the Hydrometer Temperature Correction script on The Recipator website, I came up with a OG of 1.143. I hope that is correct
I will check the batch tomorrow to see if it is fermenting. wish me luck.
PS I need to get a new thermometer
So... is that a good OG for Mead? and will I have a problem not pitching my yeast right away? Also.. I am using a 3 piece airlock, will I have any problems with blowoff, should I use a blowoff tube?