When to bottle/prime (wait to clear or NOW?)

haxcess · Apr 11, 2012

I've got a batch of cider that has stopped fermenting but is very hazy. I want to carb it in bottles.

Should I wait for it to clear before adding priming sugar and bottling? Should I assist clearing with pectic enzyme or other agents?

My thought was to just add pectic enzyme and rack for priming/bottling when it's clear. But I understand I need yeasts in the bottles.

This is a standard Vinoka peach cider kit, so it already had the bentonite treatment. I did not follow the stabilizing instructions (add sulphites).

Greghark · Apr 11, 2012

Pectic enzyme works best before fermentation. It doesnt have the same clearing power after there is alcohol present. most chemicals that are used to clear ciders have the same issues. with that said they still might work just fine, so go ahead and try.

Pickled_Pepper · Apr 11, 2012

How long has it been in the primary? Racking it to secondary and keeping it cool will also aid in clearing. Time has always been the biggest factor in my ciders (and beers too) clearing properly. Leaving it in the secondary for a month at 60ºF works wonders.

haxcess · Apr 11, 2012

It's been in secondary now for a week. The instructions say to bottle pretty much right away but... I come from wine where you bottle when it's clear.

My question is if I clear it up with time or chemicals, will there be available yeast for bottle carbing?

edmanster · Apr 11, 2012

I would go with time but that's mii.. I bet it clears up within a week or 2 if not sparkaloid works :mug:

Pickled_Pepper · Apr 11, 2012

As long as you don't use any chemicals to inhibit the yeast, there there will be plenty in there for bottle carb'ing. (even if you cold crash - it might take longer to carbonate, but it still will get there eventually) I think letting it sit for another few weeks in secondary will help with clearing and also with the final flavor of the cider.