Cider Newbie Question

[Iceman6409]

Hello all. I am about to make my first hard cider and I have a few questions. First off it will be a simple recipe - 5 gallon UNpasturized apple cider(had to sign a waiver stating I would not drink it), Campden tablets, Nottingham yeast. So I bought the cider one week ago. They were given to me in one gallon milk jugs. 3 of them blew very small holes in them due to pressure. However I saved most of the cider by turning the jugs on their sides. So my first question is are the ok? Second question is I pulled them out of the fridge today to try and warm them up to room temperature and then put the campden tablets in. They are taking their own sweet time warming up as right now they are at about 50ish degreesF. Been out almost 8 hours now. Does temperature matter? Last question is once I do put the cider and campden together and let it sit for at least 24 hours does it need to have an air lock or lid or can I drape a towel or something similar over it until I put the yeast in? Thank you all in advance.

 

[schwiz]

I don't think temp matters when you add the campden. You should just put a towel over it as you want the campden gas to escape.

 

[MarkKF]

I add my Camden to very cold juice then let it warm to 55-60 Deg. overnight while my starter is going.

Always worked O. K. for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Iceman6409]

What temperature should I ferment at?

 

[schwiz]

What temperature should I ferment at?

Use the recommended temp for the yeast you choose.

 

[UpstateMike]

5 gallon UNpasturized apple cider(had to sign a waiver stating I would not drink it)

Where in the Rochester area were you able to find unpasteurized cider for sale?

What temperature should I ferment at?

I use Nottingham, and typically brew in the mid 60's without any problems.

 

[Yooper]

If it's unpasteurized, and it's been a week since pressed or purchased, and it's already fermenting, it sounds like you've already got a wild yeast fermentation going. You probably won't stop it with campden now.

 

[Iceman6409]

Mayers Cider Mill in Webster.

How would i know if it is already on progress? I put the cider in a pail with 5 crushed campden tablets a few hours ago. Have a towel draped over the top

 

[HawleyFarms]

UpstateMike, down here in Wyoming county there are some places to get unpasteurized. We actually have our own family heirloom, antique cider press that we used this year and pressed about 10 gallons of our own, but drank and gave away most of it. We still have about 2 bushels left to press so I can get in a least one batch of cider this year.

 

[T_Baggins]

Perhaps a little EC-1118 would "take over" the fermentation?

 

[madscientist451]

The wild yeast has kicked off, the campden may suppress it somewhat.
If its been 24 hrs, pitch your yeast and put the lid and airlock on and hope for the best.
Try to keep it the temp. in the mid to low 60's.