Now What ?????

Dozuki · Apr 21, 2012

I think I have everything I need. I have the airlock, a one gallon glass fermentor, Safale us-50 dry ale yiest and I just went to Yes Market and got some Field day organic apple juice which is just juice. Now for some questions.

The juice says to refrigeratte after opening but that would kill off the yeast so I'm guessing I just ignore that.

Should I make a starter for the yiest and how much should I put in. A whole pack seems like over kill.

I plan on using a white and brown sugar. I'm wondering how much of each for a gollon of cide? Is a cup of each enough?

When do I put the sugar in? Should I pour out some and warm it to put the sugar in and then put it back in the bottle?

The juice I got already has a good amount of cedement should I take it out or leave it?

Oh and I don't have a hygrometer yet so I am doing without.

Thanks for all the help. Sorry for all the newby questions.

Paul.

Pumbaa · Apr 21, 2012

if it was me I would not add the sugar and would simply rehydrate the yeast and add it to the juice then wait . . . thats it . . .dont over complicate it cider is beyond simple

056r · Apr 21, 2012

The only reason to add more sugar is if you want more alcohol than the natural sugars in the juice will provide. Without a hydrometer this is impossible to figure out, you'll just be guessing.

Dozuki · Apr 22, 2012

Well it looks like I will be doing a little guessing on this batch. I don't have a hydrometer and my scale died so I had to take a swag at how much yeast was 1 gram which is how much i need for a one gallon batch. So wish me luck and thanks for the help. If I didn't put in enough is it o.k to put in more later?

JtotheA · Apr 22, 2012

The beautiful thing about yeast is that even if you undershoot, those lil guys multiply. Definitely better to undershoot though. It is okay to add more later, but I'm guessing you wont have to. Be patient. If airlock activity stops, without a hydrometer, you may not know if it's done fermenting or if it gets stuck. Taste will be your best bet in that case. Good luck!