Using pectic enzyme after?

[BadgerBrigade]

I have some very cloudy pear cider.... I'm wondering if I can add pectic enzyme now that it's been in secondary a while? It is completely fermented and I tried cold crashing but it didn't clear it up very well... I know prar is not the easiest to get clear but I'm wondering if this will work?
I have started using pectic enzyme (on my current batches) before pitching yeast but I'm already a couple batches past this pear that I'm trying to clear So I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do to help this one...

 

[WilliamSlayer]

I have used it in secondary, and gotten good results. The Spiced Cider I have posted pics of had pectic used in the secondary.

 

[JeepDiver]

I used it on a Cider after fermentation and it didn't help. So between me and WilliamSlayer sounds like YMMV. Give it a shot, won't hurt anything and could help

 

[BadgerBrigade]

Ok, so what will happen if its a positive result? With it all float to the top or sink? I'm just wondering because if it floats to the top of my carboy I just rack from under as usual right?
But I find I keep kicking stuff up when I try to rack. I have a auto siphon and it seemed to kick up stuff from the bottom in my last apple batch?

 

[WilliamSlayer]

Ok, so what will happen if its a positive result? With it all float to the top or sink? I'm just wondering because if it floats to the top of my carboy I just rack from under as usual right?
But I find I keep kicking stuff up when I try to rack. I have a auto siphon and it seemed to kick up stuff from the bottom in my last apple batch?

It SHOULD clear up and drop any particles out, but there won't be a huge thick layer, you just aren't pulling that much out. Try siphoning from just above the bottom, IOW don't let the siphon drop and touch the bottom. Hopee this helps Badger!

 

[JeepDiver]

I usually start my siphon about halfway in the bucket/carboy, then lower as needed to keep it off the bottom.

 

[Mismost]

I usually start my siphon about halfway in the bucket/carboy, then lower as needed to keep it off the bottom.

Old trick...I use a SS barbque skewer and a couple of rubber bands....rubber band the skewer/stick to the bottom of your racking cane....now you can adjust the bottom of the tube higher or lower as needed...set it just above the sediment layer.

It really helps to have three hands when starting the auto siphon...one to hold it still in the jug...one to pump...and one to make sure you don't pull the other end out of secondary as you pump.

btw...my wines clear from the top down...clearing and time seem to go together, more time, more clear.

 

[Maylar]

Ok, so what will happen if its a positive result? With it all float to the top or sink? I'm just wondering because if it floats to the top of my carboy I just rack from under as usual right?
But I find I keep kicking stuff up when I try to rack. I have a auto siphon and it seemed to kick up stuff from the bottom in my last apple batch?

It'll fall to the bottom as part of the lees. I've found that pectic enzyme is less effective after primary, but as has been said YMMV.

Old trick...I use a SS barbque skewer and a couple of rubber bands....rubber band the skewer/stick to the bottom of your racking cane....now you can adjust the bottom of the tube higher or lower as needed...set it just above the sediment layer.

It really helps to have three hands when starting the auto siphon...one to hold it still in the jug...one to pump...and one to make sure you don't pull the other end out of secondary as you pump.

The brew suppliers sell clips for that. There's a clip that can hold your siphon at whatever position you like, and another type that lets you clip the hose to the secondary. But yeah, having 3 hands helps a lot.

 

[Icarus9414]

The clip you're talking about is a lifesaver. It is worth its weight in gold not having to rely on a friend or SWMBO to rack cider. I brew almost exclusively by myself now because of it. I wish someone would have told me about it earlier in my quest for making awesome homebrew. My only complaint with the clip is that if you use old school carboys, it doesn't fit as well as a newer one. I have two 5 gallon carboys from the 60's or so and it is a beast trying to get the clip to fit well. The clip works perfectly with my two new carboys though.