I think i screwed up

[ahrenswett]

I was trying to soak a small bit of cider in oak chips with some vanilla bean to add to the secondary. I boiled the cider with the vanilla bean then boiled the oak chips in that. Afterward I put in my secondary but did not refrigerate or add yeast. Even though everything is super clean I think it's screwed everyone agree? Pitch it out and start again?

 

[bknifefight]

Why do you think you needed to add yeast? There should be plenty still in your cider to eat up any new sugars that you introduced. As long as you didn't add your vanilla/oak/cider mixture when it was still boiling, you will be fine.

 

[wooda2008]

did you let it cool at all?

I guess what I'm asking is, how do you think you screwed it? are you afraid you killed off the yeast or introduces some nasties?

 

[ahrenswett]

When I said I added to my secondary I meant while my primary had just been started so this very small amount is just sitting in the carboy with no yeast in 65-70 degree heat. Seems to me it would be a case for mold

 

[SKMO]

I read this about 4 times and still not sure what the question is. Did you EVER add yeast ?

Why are you putting cider in a secondary ?

If everything is "super clean" like you say, there are no problems that can't be overcome.

But exactly WHAT is the problem you perceive here, I'm not picking up on it. My Mother never accused me of being smart, by the way.

 

[ahrenswett]

I am moving my cider to a secondary to clear out all the apple chunks as I added pulp from my jack lalane juicer (bad idea, it's almost apple sauce) but right when I was done pouring this into the primary, I boiled up a small sauce pan of apple juice, oak and vanilla. I did not add yeast. I then put the small amount into my secondary. I think that because I did not refrigerate the small amount I won't be able to rack my primary onto it because it may mold or be molding

 

[Arabrewer]

So what you're saying is your cider is fermenting in primary and won't be ready to rack to secondary for a while, but you already did the oak chip and vanilla thing and put it in the secondary you plan to rack to a while and are worried about mold, right?

I'm still a noob myself, but it seems like you have succumbed to the same eagerness so many of us have, myself included. If it's been boiled and stored sterile, it could be ok, but the air, and whatever is in it, could be a problem. Your best bet is probably to clean out the secondary, wait until it's ready to rack and make the flavor mix again.

Good luck, sounds good!

 

[wooda2008]

you can always toss what's in the secondary right now, clean it out really well, and just start it over when you rack. Do you have any oak chips and vanilla left?

I wouldn't be willing to let anything sit with that much headspace.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I'd let it be. I think the worst is you set the pectins in a small amount of juice that you then added to secondary. Your end product might be a little hazy because of this, but that's just a cosmetic thing, it'll still be drinkable. Regards, GF.