Basic cider home brew questions

[semczuk1979]

Hi in a few weeks im buying a hydrometer and four one gallon jugs with airlocks, i have been looking all on the forum and just have a few questions as i am at the moment just doing a brew in some 2 litre bottles, as i live in england now we are in autumn and my room where i am and in future would brew can get cold, at the moment my small batch is one week old and i dont see much reaction ( bubbles ) but when i put in to some warm water i see alot of reaction, i did not activate the cider yeast i as you say dry pitched, i am not to bothered about how long it takes to do the brew but as i am not seeing any reaction or very little does this mean it will just take longer to reach full fermentation, also for future reference when using the hydrometer taking the reading when added sugar then at the end of fermentation you have the difference what is the formula to work out the percentage of alcohol i saw one formula and totally did not understand it.
Thanks in advance i am new but looking forward to gaining knowledge.

 

[hallerobin]

What kind of yeast are you using, and what is the temperature? Both of those things can have a major effect on fermentation.

For the ABV calculation, I've seen different people use different formulas--some very complex, but the one I use is:
(Starting value - ending value) * 0.1285

So, if the starting value is 1050 and you end at 1000, it would be:
(1050 - 1000) * 0.1285 = 6.425

To be more precise, you will need to calibrate your hydrometer readings to your temperature. There is a good tool here: http://www.brewersfriend.com/hydrometer-temp/

 

[semczuk1979]

Hi thanks for the formula thats a great help, i used a cider yeast from my local home brew shop, as to the temperature id say its 12 degrees celcius or 54 degrees f, but will fall maybe at night, would the fermentation stop if it went below 50? or take longer, whats a rough timescale for low 50,s for future reference.

 

[semczuk1979]

One more thing, i looked at the link, i presume this is so if your temperature in your house is one number and the temperature in your fermentation is higher as would be expected this gives you a more accurate reading of your alcohol content?

 

[Randzor]

Below 50 it will just be slow. Some people actually like these results better than having a fast fermentation. Patience is a much needed thing while home brewing.

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

Most apple juice is between 1.045 and 1.055 SG your hydrometer is the only accurately determine the status of your cider. You can get a guess by tracking airlock activity but Doesnt tell you sugar content.

 

[semczuk1979]

Thanks guys im not bothered how long it takes, as long as it still ticks along below 50. Can you take a hydrometer reading and if you think it has not fully fermented keep it going, obviously your going to take the airlock of to do this, is that ok, one more thing, for future has much sugar should you add to say a 4 litre jug?