Cold Crashing/Clearing

[bwittman]

I have 10 gallons of cider in a commercial walk-in at my buddy's restaurant. It's been there for about a week and while it had settled some, it's def not clear. The only part that is close to what i would call "clear' is the top 2 inches.

How long does it take to clear when cold crashing? I want to get these baby's in bottles for christmas. As a n00b all help is always appreciated.

thanks.

 

[Mr_fleabite]

Should be clearer than that after a week in a walk in. Are you sure it hasn't been disturbed? How cold is the walk in? Did you boil or heat any of the juice for your cider?

 

[RugenBrau]

Mine clears faster than that. Did you use Pectin enzyme? By any chance did you boil it?

 

[bwittman]

There was no boiling, and not enzymes added. I just pitched the yeast and watched it go. The cider was straight from a mill. I drove down and the filled 2 5 gallon carboys. The not sure on the exact temp as i forgot to look at the thermometer but i would guess around 38, maybe colder? I was thinking one week to cold crash/clear then bottle carb and it would be drinking by xmas. oh well...

 

[bwittman]

Not sure if it matters but, i also didn't rack it before cold crashing. i was hopping to rack once it cleared then possibly crash again to really clear it up.

 

[RugenBrau]

You don't have to rack it before cold crashing. I think that Pectin Enzyme is advantageous because it will knock out a lot of crap before fermentation. Everyone says you're not suppose to but I rack mine off the sediment from the pectin e. before I add the yeast.

 

[bwittman]

I was trying to go as natural as possible for the first shot. hense didn't really do anything but get the best quality fresh juice i could afford and pitch yeast. I really wanted to make a normandy style, but was affraid to try keeving. I think next time i'm going to try and keev it and possibly do natural yeast...

Could the volume have anything to do with the speed it's crashing? I know fermentation is completely stopped, but i just can't get it to clear as fast as i thought it would...