Sediment in Carboy

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Shotgunwilly

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Good time of day all.

I am very surprised how much sediment my second brew has to my first one. I am only a few days in and look at this carboy bottom. Was able to get the same brand of apple juice as my first cider. The only difference is the yeast, I am using S04 this time. I wonder how my cider I will have when I rack it?
 

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I’ve found the cloudy grocery store juices extremely variable (this is what I use for most ciders due to availability). SG, pH, clarity and sediment seem to change regularly. So, in my experience, this isn’t unusual. Don’t be afraid to take some of that sediment when you rack. It’ll just settle out more/better in secondary. Also, keep so finished cider in reserve for topping up after racking. Using finished cider for topping up is, in my opinion anyway, a better practice than using water or more juice. Cheers!
 
I’ve found the cloudy grocery store juices extremely variable (this is what I use for most ciders due to availability). SG, pH, clarity and sediment seem to change regularly. So, in my experience, this isn’t unusual. Don’t be afraid to take some of that sediment when you rack. It’ll just settle out more/better in secondary. Also, keep so finished cider in reserve for topping up after racking. Using finished cider for topping up is, in my opinion anyway, a better practice than using water or more juice. Cheers!
I went very greedy when filling the carboy so I know I will have enough after racking. But will I have enough to do what I wanted after racking that is the real question.
 
After you rack to age, or rack to bottle, I might pour the lees into a tall but narrow vessel - a wine bottle, for example. Place this bottle in the fridge and after a day or two, the liquid will rise towards the top and the sediment will fall towards the bottom. You can rack the liquid off the lees.
 
Be aware that S04 creates some very loose, fluffy lees. You'll need to handle it carefully to avoid kicking up a cloud when you move the carboy. I usually position the jug in a place where I can just crack it open and carefully insert my siphon. Use a lees cap on the siphon end and slowly lower it as you transfer to secondary.
 
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