The crazy bottle?

[Lodger]

I'm a first time cider maker. Last night my friend and I racked 3 gallons. We had enoug left to fill a small bottle, maybe around 2 pints. We decided to experiment with it and added more sugar, bringing it's gravity back up to 1.006. We also added a small amount of yeast. Then we topped it up with apple juice to fill the bottle. The initial OG was 1.007 and then dropped to 1. If this bottle drops to 1 again do I just calculate the new amount of alcohol and add it to the first amount? Also worried the bottle will explode, it does have an airlock but I have put it in the shed as a precaution.

 

[oldstyle69]

it wont explode unless its capped. thats part of the airlocks job..to let the CO2 escape while keeping out the O2. if you were to cap it, you would have a different situation.

 

[Maylar]

Yup, just add 7 points to the total gravity.

 

[Lodger]

Thanks for replies. Have moved it back in to the house as the shed is freezing cold at the moment. So can I assume then that the OG for this bottle when calculating ABV is the starting OG + the new gravity?

 

[bernardsmith]

Maylar - Sorry to disagree but the added gravity is in only 2 pints and the 2 pints will be added to the 3 gallons so the usual way of determining the total overall gravity or ABV of the 3.25 gallons is to use a Pearson's Square. The new total ABV will be a hair greater than the original ABV (we are not informed what that was), since the 2 pints being added to the 24 pints already in the carboy amounts to an addition of 8.3% of the total volume. A Pearson's square will tell you precisely the difference.

 

[Maylar]

Maylar - Sorry to disagree but the added gravity is in only 2 pints and the 2 pints will be added to the 3 gallons so the usual way of determining the total overall gravity or ABV of the 3.25 gallons is to use a Pearson's Square. The new total ABV will be a hair greater than the original ABV (we are not informed what that was), since the 2 pints being added to the 24 pints already in the carboy amounts to an addition of 8.3% of the total volume. A Pearson's square will tell you precisely the difference.

I think his question is about the ABV of the 2 pints alone. So if, for example, he started with 1.050 and fermented to 1.000 the cider would be at 6.5%. Then if he raises the SG of the extra 2 pints by 7 points, if that ferments to 1.000 won't that be the same as having started at 1.057?

He's not adding it back into the 3 gallon batch.

 

[IslandLizard]

I think his question is about the ABV of the 2 pints alone. So if, for example, he started with 1.050 and fermented to 1.000 the cider would be at 6.5%. Then if he raises the SG of the extra 2 pints by 7 points, if that ferments to 1.000 won't that be the same as having started at 1.057?

He's not adding it back into the 3 gallon batch.

Exactly!

He also said he topped it off with more apple juice, so there are some additional fermentables that need to be added.

To the OP, stick and airlock in that bottle so it can ferment out without exploding. In a pinch, a piece of plastic wrap or a plastic baggie, sealed with a rubber band around the bottleneck will make an airlock. Sanitize of course.

Watch out that fruit flies won't get in.

 

[Lodger]

Yeah. I was just wondering about ABV of additional 2 pints. Not going to re add it to the 3 gallons . It is just an experimental bottle that my friend and I are affectionately referring to as The Nutter.

I have a 2 piece airlock on and have moved it to a nice warm spot. I think I was mainly concerned about explosion because it isn't a proper brewing bottle but rather a water caraffe.

Oh also I added the apple juice before taking gravity reading I just explained it badly in first post.

Thanks for help.

 

[bernardsmith]

Ah... sorry... My mistake... I must have read your post too quickly and thought "the first amount" referred to the larger volume. Apologies for any confusion etc...

 

[Lodger]

Ah... sorry... My mistake... I must have read your post too quickly and thought "the first amount" referred to the larger volume. Apologies for any confusion etc...

No not at all. I just really appreciate that people take the time to give advice. Hopefully there will be some cider to drink at the end of the process.