Cider Food Safety

[Hickory_Bill]

I just made my first batch of cider, and thanks to the good people of this forum, I was able to overcome several challenges between bad yeast?, poor nutrients, and too much sugar.

My plan is to serve some tomorrow night at a labor day / birthday party, but I wanted some input on Food Safety.

At the time I made most of this batch I did not have any sanitizer, so I sanitized everything with boiling water.

The final product has no off flavors, and I've consumed a couple pints with no ill effects, but I would hate to have everyone ill the next morning.

To my knowledge every thing is good, but being so new, I wasn't sure if I was missing something.

A couple of thoughts:

1. It's been in the frig for about 48 hrs, and it's still pretty cloudy, but I understand that's ok.

2. I am probably over carbonated. It's in plastic juice bottles, and seems safe enough from a explosion stand point, but the bottles release a sizable amount of pressure (3 x that of soda?) when they are opened. I though about relieving the pressure today, but I didn't want it to be flat tomorrow.

Thanks,

 

[Pratzie]

How did u sanitize ur fermentation vessel and bottles?

Otherwise I think your fine.

 

[Hickory_Bill]

another thought

How did u sanitize ur fermentation vessel and bottles?

Otherwise I think your fine.

Boiling water, it was hot and a bit messy.

ONEDIT: I poured a couple cups of boiling water into each, and rolled it around to cover every surface.

 

[Pratzie]

I'd be more worried of it turning into vinegar which is common with cider spoilage. But if you drank it and it tastes good u should be fine.

Although i'd def recommend picking up some StarSan on amazon or somewhere just to be safe next time. Very easy to use.

 

[Hickory_Bill]

I'd be more worried of it turning into vinegar which is common with cider spoilage. But if you drank it and it tastes good u should be fine.

Although i'd def recommend picking up some StarSan on amazon or somewhere just to be safe next time. Very easy to use.

I already picked some up from the local brew supply store.

 

[454k30]

Answer me the following three:

1. Did it taste good?
2. Did you get sick afterwards?
3. Does it still smell and taste okay today?

If you answered yes to ALL of these questions you are fine to serve it. And by some darn sanitizer.

 

[JRiggs2k]

Answer me the following three:

1. Did it taste good?
2. Did you get sick afterwards?
3. Does it still smell and taste okay today?

If you answered yes to ALL of these questions you are fine to serve it. And by some darn sanitizer.

Well you should answer NO to #2

 

[WVMJ]

I usually test all my batches out on friends or even a couple of extra cousins first before I drink any just to be safe, you never know right WVMJ

 

[gregbathurst]

Alcohol is a poison, but it kills bugs that might make you sick. You won't find many cases of alcoholic beverages causing food-borne illness. It should be fine to let some pressure off the day before, just screw the lids back on and the cider won't go flat.
Starsan is mainly to make folks feel safer, hot water actually works better than sanitising solution.

 

[Hickory_Bill]

Alcohol is a poison, but it kills bugs that might make you sick. You won't find many cases of alcoholic beverages causing food-borne illness. It should be fine to let some pressure off the day before, just screw the lids back on and the cider won't go flat.
Starsan is mainly to make folks feel safer, hot water actually works better than sanitising solution.

Thanks,

I figured I was good, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that everyone else knew about.

 

[BadgerBrigade]

Thanks,

I figured I was good, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that everyone else knew about.

Ya, if it tastes good you are ok Bill
If it has funny colors and smells like death, don't drink it! Lol
All joking aside, I bet it's awesome... good show bro