Cider still not fermenting it seems - Help?

[lukertweek]

Hi guys,
I posted a short while back for advice on a first attempt at making cider. Thanks for the help. We are still having problems. Last Friday I checked the SG of the juice, baring in mind this was after we had treated it with sodium metabisulphite and also added our yeast having waited 24 hours after the SM. The SG was 1.040. I went away for a long weekend and came back and measured it again his Monday gone and it was still at 1.040. So thinking that we may have put the yeast in too soon after the MS we added another measure of yeast. Today, two days later we measured the SG again it is still at 1.040. We're at a loss as to what to do. I have tasted the juice and it tastes fine, slightly sharp much as it was a few days after we pressed it.

Can anyone please advise us what we should do please? Really kinda nervous that the juice will soon go off if it doesn't ferment somehow.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[iceo]

you could make a yeast starter to make sure your yeast is healthy before pinching

 

[oldbloke]

Bung in some yeast nutrient as well, a good teaspoon per gallon. The juice may need aerating a bit for the yeast's initial grow-more-yeast phase too, give it a good splashy stir.

 

[Cuffbertt]

Almost exactly the same thing happened to me last week! I tried two times to get it started (using Wilkinsons ale yeast) and nothing worked. After a week and a half the SG was the same (1.049). I tried a third and final time with Young's cider yeast. I warmed a small amount of water in a jug and added a teaspoon of sugar, a teaspoon of yeast nutrient and about 5g of yeast, then I stirred and covered with clingfilm. Half an hour later I added it to my 1 gallon demijohn and put it in the cupboard.

Two days later I opened the cupboard door and found it had errupted everywhere and the airlock was dry. I checked the SG and it was 1.003! Tastes horrendous though and will likely be going down the drain lol.

Perhaps you could try using the same method of adding the yeast to yours?

 

[iceo]

Almost exactly the same thing happened to me last week! I tried two times to get it started (using Wilkinsons ale yeast) and nothing worked. After a week and a half the SG was the same (1.049). I tried a third and final time with Young's cider yeast. I warmed a small amount of water in a jug and added a teaspoon of sugar, a teaspoon of yeast nutrient and about 5g of yeast, then I stirred and covered with clingfilm. Half an hour later I added it to my 1 gallon demijohn and put it in the cupboard.

Two days later I opened the cupboard door and found it had errupted everywhere and the airlock was dry. I checked the SG and it was 1.003! Tastes horrendous though and will likely be going down the drain lol.

Perhaps you could try using the same method of adding the yeast to yours?

dont bin it until you know it cant be saved. give it another week then rack and put away for a month then see what its like. time is your friend when it comes to brewing

 

[Crastney]

sounds like you might have had duff yeast... check the use by date if applicable.
also what temp is it at? anything below 15 and fermentation will be slow, or stop, above 30 will kill the yeast.
high 20's will go very fast, but will produce hangover inducing esters, so try to keep it stable at around 18 - 20 (Deg C).

if possible use a champagne/cider yeast, and get it going first in a small starter, with apple juice, and yeast nutrient. A good strong starter will be more likely to succeed.

also don't just bung in the yeast, follow instructions on the packet (it might say to start it in water, or sprinkle on top then stir after 15 mins) - might require rehydration first.

How much sulphite did you use? You might have used way too much, and any still hanging around might be stopping initial ferment.

just ideas for you.

good luck.