How often do I rack?

[b87raid]

Okay, so I made a really sweet mead with 18 lbs clover honey, so it's pretty dark. Do you have to rack more often to try to clear meads with more honey? And also, how often can I rack, and how many times? I have only racked once into secondary fermenter. Thank you!

 

[Yooper]

Okay, so I made a really sweet mead with 18 lbs clover honey, so it's pretty dark. Do you have to rack more often to try to clear meads with more honey? And also, how often can I rack, and how many times? I have only racked once into secondary fermenter. Thank you!

Rack whenever needed. That is, if you have lees 1/4" thick or more, or any lees at all after 60 days. Make sure you top up when racking, to avoid head space in the carboy.

 

[alaktheman]

How do you top off the head space without diluting your Mead?

 

[valverij]

Water is fine for topping a little headspace, but a lot of people keep some dry traditional (like an orange blossom) around to top up with.