Newbie Assistance Needed

[Acrid]

Hello all. I am BRAND new to the whole idea of brewing. I have 0 knowledge of the whole thing.

I am interested in making hard cider, and need to be baby stepped through the process. I was going to follow these instructions:

www.wikihow.com/Make-Apple-Cider

But in my browsing of these forums, you are all using terms, and equipment that are not mentioned in that article.

So, for my first couple times I would prefer to make as cheaply as possible.

What would you recommend is the easiest way for someone without specialized equipment?

What yeast would you recommend for that method you suggest?

I found several posts for the differences in yeast, but I have no idea what they mean.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

~DJ

 

[Descender]

http://www.howtomakehardcider.com/

there's the basics.

 

[Randzor]

Follow the steps given. A lot of the steps talked about here are more advanced/necessary once you understand the process and how they effect the taste of the product.

 

[Totes]

DJ,
Since you are going for cheap, store bought juice will be the way to go.
Ferment your cider right in the container your AJ came in. (No need for campden, so2 this way)
Costco has gallon jugs of AJ for 3.50, buy a #9 bung and airlock ($1-2) from a homebrew supply, and a packet of dry yeast. Add yeast, wait a while. drink.

Buy a couple gallons if you can afford it, and a few yeasts add variety. Add stuff for experiment in a few, honey, brown sugar, ect.
Don't worry much about nutrient, tannin, acidity, MLF, until down the road a bit. You can have all types of small batch ciders going for very little invested this way.

(Spurge for a siphon hose and some sanitizing solution)

My .02

 

[Acrid]

http://www.howtomakehardcider.com/

there's the basics.

I will definitely be checking that out. Thanks

 

[Acrid]

DJ,
Since you are going for cheap, store bought juice will be the way to go.
Ferment your cider right in the container your AJ came in. (No need for campden, so2 this way)
Costco has gallon jugs of AJ for 3.50, buy a #9 bung and airlock ($1-2) from a homebrew supply, and a packet of dry yeast. Add yeast, wait a while. drink.

Buy a couple gallons if you can afford it, and a few yeasts add variety. Add stuff for experiment in a few, honey, brown sugar, ect.
Don't worry much about nutrient, tannin, acidity, MLF, until down the road a bit. You can have all types of small batch ciders going for very little invested this way.

(Spurge for a siphon hose and some sanitizing solution)

My .02

I have a local farmers market 2 blocks from my place. I was going to use fresh apples, and I was going to use a good processor to get the juice out. I unfortunately do not have a juicer. Although I don't want to sink $300 or $400 into it to get started, I wouldn't mind picking up some basic equipment. I can get 5 gallon glass containers for about $5 each. I can get a siphon hose real cheap I'm sure, and an airlock or 2.

First the siphon hose, do you think this would work? :

http://www.harborfreight.com/fluid-siphon-pump-93290.html

I read somewhere on here that the best apples to use, so you don't have to mix is dabinett, Kingston black, and brown snout. But I will use whatever I can get.

Does anyone know of a homebrew store in the WNY area? I'm in a Buffalo suburb, and I don't think I've ever seen one in the area. I'll Google it in a minute.

Thanks guys



UPDATE: I found a homebrew store right around the corner from me. But I have no idea what I need. They have a ton of stuff? Any help?
http://www.nthomebrew.com/

 

[Totes]

Right on! I didn't realize you are ready to rock and roll with fresh pressed and 5 gal carboys.
That being the case, I would buy one or both of these books: Craft Cider Making (andrew lea) or Cider Hard and Sweet (Ben Watson).
They are very small books, easy reads, but they will leave you questioning nothing. Those two books are the best money I ever spent when I started making cider.
Seems like you've done your research and Know a lot more than "zero of the whole thing".
Oh, some might suggest renting or buying an apple press, as opposed to a standard centrifuge juicer. That may be worth googling about.
Cheers!