Recent content by Merledm

So a month has past since I last posted. Life happens and the cider took a back bench. It was not a bad thing though, the two batches with Nottingham yeast cleared right up and the taste improved. I placed both batches in the fridge to slow any possible fermentation. I siphoned one batch into...

Just a couple minutes after the bottle was shaken. I'm definitely going to experiment with water first.

Thanks, It's the potassium sorbate that I forgot. Gotta pick some up. So, my plan is to test the batches again mid week, add Campden/potassium sorbate, wait a few days then force carbonate in the bottles.

That's great advice, thanks. I'm using a CO2 tank and regulator hooked up to an adapter to fit the 500ml green bottles. Tried one with my brother, hooked it up, turned the pressure to 30 and shook the bottle. It was too bubbly for me. I think I'll experiment with water to get the right amount of...

I thought Campden would bring the fermentation to a halt. I plan to consume it within two weeks of bottling. Should I worry about bottle bombs even if I'm using stevia as my sweetener? I was hoping the Campden and refrigeration would slow/stop any fermentation enough that I could sweeten with...

Yesterday (Day 20 I think), I tested and racked the last two batches. Two Nottingham, one with maple syrup. They tested 1.005 and 1.010 w/syrup. Both fizzy, fairly clear. At 1.005 it tastes like a slightly fizzy apple wine. I'd like a bit more carbonation. I recently bought some natural apple...

The two on the left have been racked into the secondary. The right two are still in primary. I got the most foam in the first few days, it settled shortly after. Does it get foamy again in the secondary after a while?

The two on the left have been racked into the secondary. The right two are still in primary. I got the most foam in the first few days, it settled shortly after. Does it get foamy again in the secondary after a while?

At day 11 I tested the batch with M02. It was at 1.005, very dry and a little fizzy. Im gonna add some carbonation and stevia to this one. I put a very small amount of Stevia in the sample and it brought some apple flavours back but not too sweet. I took samples from the two batches with...

Interesting. yeast multiplies, so the total yeast at the end of primary could be 3-5 times more. If you reuse the yeast cake without reducing its size, would that be pitching more than it needs again?

Face palm. That never occurred to me. You can reuse over and over and over, correct?

I'm a huge cheapo and love the idea of reusing. I haven't read up on reusing the yeast yet. New adventures ahead.

I like this idea. The one gallon jugs fit in the fridge easily. Well maybe not 4 of them.

I wondered about that. I have read and heard varying opinions. Some have said yeast is yeast, it eats sugar and deposits alcohol, more will just make it go faster. Next batch I'm going to pitch more yeast, not worry about measuring so much. I am pretty sure it's my eyesight. Turning 40 soon...

You're right, I guess I wasn't thinking. Should I have left this in the primary until it finished completely? Bubbles started showing a day or so ago. When I came home tonight they stopped and the liquid in the air lock had no bubbles left. I was excited and nervous, I figured now was the time...