Complete Newbie Question

DaveRob · Aug 27, 2013

Hi Guys my first post.. be gentle on me please.

Quick background. I grew up pressing apples on our farm in the fall. We had an old tractor that had a canvas belt running the wooded press. I loved drinking the fresh product. My dad would make some Cider for the uncles to have at family gatherings. That's basically my background. I have limited knowledge or experience.

I recently went home and saw the old tractor (in rough shape) in the bottom of our oat shed.. half buried. I noticed the wheel on the side of the engine and instantly thought about the canvas belt and the "good old days" of pressing.

So without a thought I grabbed a few of the old dusty jugs in the corner and what looks like a 3 gallon carboy. I threw them in the trunk and left NE PA. On my drive back to the VA corporate landscape I started to wonder. Why did I snatch those old jugs up without a thought, then It just hit me. I think I miss that way of life a bit. Where we had a hand in everything we consumed. It was constant but ever changing with the season. Not trying to get into a theological discussion just wanted to let you know where I was coming from.

I am honestly not sure how dad did it.. I think he just through it in a jug and hoped for the best. I do remember some exploding jugs. So I get home... look up how to do it.

Then ordered a few supplies like stoppers, lock, siphon, Star-San, some us-05, some tubing and Im sure a few other things.

So after much reading on this and other sites. Much respect by the way! You guys are amazing community form everything that I have read. I had a few entry level questions that might be too simple, my search failed to pick up on.

So to my question (that I could have skipped right to and Im sure you would have answered.)

I was originally thinking I would just try a few gallon jugs first.... then worried about the racking process. Can I start it in a 3 gallon Carboy and then move it to 3 separate gallon jugs when I rack them the 1st time? Or do I need another 3 gallon Carboy to put it back into? Does it need to be racked in similar volume? Would it have any benefit to doing the opposite, starting them in 3 separate jugs and then combining them in the big jug for the rack?

My guess is I will do 1 gallon to start and then use one of the other jugs to Rack it. Just wondered if I can use the bigger jug without having one of the same size. I snagged 1 big jug (3 gallons) and 4 one gallon jugs. Just wondering your thoughts.

Thanks guys

EuDvine · Aug 28, 2013

You can do it however you want as long as there's not too much headspace after the first rack. i.e having your three gallon carboy only half full will make it harder for your cider to create a protective bed of co2, so oxygen could start turning it to vinegar. The closer the top of the liquid is to the neck the better. Also, siphon quietly...no splashing inside the carboy. That aerates the cider and it will get off flavored and can also turn it to vinegar. Often though, the only reason being that it's your first ever batch of brew, it will taste like barf juice. Don't be discouraged. All of us brewers have had a first batch like that. Always just keep trying! Very cool about your family history though! It's awesome to carry on a tradition. Best of luck to you, don't worry too much, and enjoy!

Unferth · Aug 28, 2013

I would do the big carboy into the smaller 3; if you use a bottling wand in will be super easy.

Good luck.

DaveRob · Aug 28, 2013

Thanks EuDvine and Unferth!

Barf juice!!! Hahaha... hmm well that will suck. Kinda assumed it would turn out great if following the correct path. So Im going to screw something up then? What would be the most commonly screwed up part?

Thanks for the no splashing advise! I have an Auto Siphon.. will that work or is a bottling wand much better?

Thanks again.

Randzor · Aug 29, 2013

Note: Have never had cider barf juice, but my wine days could use a little help... The biggest thing I've messed up on is sanitation. Everything must be sanitized. This will help keep your cider consistent and repeatable. Also keep a journal, noting what went in. temperatures during fermentation and time spent in every stage. This will allow you to reproduce stuff. That is the biggest mistake that I made. I had am amazing second batch of cider(6 gallons gone in about a month between friends family and me.) and I have not been able to reproduce it.

DaveRob · Aug 30, 2013

Ahh since you brought up temperature.... Thats one of my biggest concerns. I live in a split level house so my bottom floor is 1/4 under ground. Its not really cool but its the coolest place in the house. In the summer my self adjusting thermostat changes from 72-78 and in the winter it moves from 68-76. Will these ranges work? I dont really want to put it in a tub with some ice or a chest with some ice. Are there brew fridges or should I get an old 2nd hand one and use that?

The sanitation is also concerning but I think I will be meticulous with it. Im sure there will be screw-ups at some point but I imagine it will be after awhile when I get complacent.

Randzor · Aug 31, 2013

Anything over 80 id be more concerned. The colder the slower and the more flavors are saved. I have a split and make it in my basement. They seem to work fine.