Cider fermentation question
I'm making a batch of hard apple cider following the instructions provided by SE for a cheap fast cider.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/11/making-cheap-hard-cider-from-scratch.html
So I followed all the steps, but how do I know if the stuff is fermenting correctly?
This morning my airlock has all the water in the right tube and none in the left hand side, does that mean gas is passing through it correctly?
I haven't seen any bubbles which I thought I was supposed to. It does bubble slightly at the top of the liquid if I shake the jar up a bit. Is the airlock OK with all the water on one side?
Also it's sitting on my counter, should I be keeping it warm or just let it sit?
Thanks for any help!
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
8 Comments:
When did u start it? Did u add yeast?
I make mine from my own apples and dont add yeast - usually takes 4-6 days to start bubbling. With added yeast should take 1-2 days at most. Check your airlock and cover for fermenter that you dont have air leaks otherwise u will get vinegar. U can also take a specific gravity readings to check if your airlock isnt working.
BiereBeer at 2:25PM on 11/08/09
I started it yesterday, took organic apple cider and put a quarter packet of yeast in hot water and poured it in the jug to stir.
How profuse should the bubbling be? I see tiny bubbles on the surface of the liquid but just a small ring around the top of the fluid.
The airlock and rubber stopper seem pretty secure.
It's only been about 18 hours since I bottled it all, should I be waiting more?
AyeEat at 3:23PM on 11/08/09
hopefully the water wasnt too hot. those little bubbles seem right - they sorta look like soda carbonation. should be going by tomorrow
BiereBeer at 3:55PM on 11/08/09
Ok I'll give it another 24 hours to see what happens.
Should I hit it with yeast again if the process doesn't start or is it too late in the game and time to start over?
AyeEat at 4:38PM on 11/08/09
Stop shaking it. I'm a homebrewer, and I did a couple of batches of cider last year. Bubbling should be pretty obvious, although in a batch that small, the period when it bubbles a lot may be pretty short. If you haven't noticed anything, your water may have been too hot. You may want to try re-pitching the yeast. If you got your yeast from a homebrew supply shop, you may want to go and ask them for advice as well. You didn't use regular bread yeast did you?
FierceGeekChick at 8:15PM on 11/08/09
Following up with what FierceGeekChick said, a pitchable yeast (with the yeast suspended in a liquid solution, comes in a test-tube lookin' deal with a twist top) should be what is used. Bread yeast doesn't work, as the alcohol content in your brew will kill regular bread yeast.
Keep your jug away from drafts and heat sources. You can wrap it in a blanket if you're concerned about fluctuating temperatures in your home.
Lilith at 9:27PM on 11/08/09
The yeast I used is called "Muntons active brewing yeast"
I just read the directions and they say to mix with cool, boiled water. I think I'm going to try and re-do the yeast right now. I see no bubbling to speak of, seems the bubbles I see are from me shaking the mixture up
AyeEat at 10:48PM on 11/08/09
For those of you interested heres the good news/bad news.
Good news I see what ya'll were saying about the bubbling, the extra yeast started fermentation immediately.
Bad news, I was pushing in the air-lock and I accidentally pushed the rubber stopper through the top into the jug. whoops!
Time to start over
AyeEat at 11:12AM on 11/09/09