Recent content by PapiMauri

Hi Yooper, Quick update and question, if you don't mind! :) So some details on the cider: - Sep 5 Added campden tablets - Sep 7 Added 50g sugar and pitched yeast, gravity at 1045. - Sep 10 Racked, gravity at 1030. So basically it's been chilling for two months now. There is some...

Thanks Yooper -- The reason I racked that extra time was because there was still lots of sediment in the carboy (the one following the bucket). I suppose, then, if there is little/no sediment, I don't need to rack again before bottling? Thanks for your help.

Hi all, I first tried making cider a couple of years ago, and ended up with too much headspace in the demijohn, which caused its demise. I am about to give it another try, but am confused by the following: - How many times does one usually rack? Last time I juiced my own apples, let the...

Hi all, Can anyone tell me what is the white stuff on top of my cider, and if I'm condemned to the unimaginable sorrow of never drinking it? Overdramatic, I know. If it's the case, what can I do to avoid this next time? Here's some info: I used crab apples from my tree, campden tablet for...

So tonight I racked it into a carboy with an airlock, but I am now very confused as there are no more bubbles, 4 days after I pitched the yeast. As of yesterday (day 3) lots of tiny bubbles, but none tonight. Here's some info that may help you help me: -Hydrometer read 1050 when I pitched...

Hi Pappers, in a much earlier post you said, "Have you considered letting the cider ferment to dry, then adding both sugar to carbonate and non-fermentable sweetener (like splenda) to backsweeten? No need to pasteurize then. " That is what I'm planning on doing, but does that mean I can keep...

Thanks, very helpful :) If I do want to keep the bottles un-opened for a few months, is pasteurizing the way to go so that carbonation doesn't continue to increase? Edit, New Question :) Ok, from a different thread I've read that if I let the cider ferment to dry, add priming sugar for carb +...

Hi all, I've read different things on xylitol and carbonation. One website said xylitol adds sweetness but has no effect on carbonation, while another said xylitol creates a nice fizz. I'm planning on back-carbing. Should I add both xylitol (for sweetness) and sugar for carbonation? And one...

Thank you LeBreton and dinnerstick, very helpful. I'll be racking it to a carboy w/ airlock tonight. Cheers, -M

Thank you very much. So just to clear up my confusion: should the primary fermentation always be done with an airlock? I was under the impression that it could be done in any primary vessel (i.e. large bucket) as long as there was some way for the CO2 to escape and a hydrometer to check when it...

Hello all, Though I've made a pineapple fermented drink before, this is my first time making hard cider. I'm a bit confused about what's happening with my fermentation at the moment, so any insights would be much appreciated. I juiced the apples from my tree, added campden tablet for...