Couple of TC questions and one general question

[wardup82]

Hi,

I have been reading the forum for a week or so now and I am proud to say that I think my 1st batch of basic TC is ready. However, it is very cloudy, I have some finings arriving tomorrow and was wondering if I could use them to clear? Also, I was hoping to bottle straight away without the need to use another demijohn (want to get some WOW on the go!). Is this possible or is going to spoil it?

Final question is regarding keeping equipment sterile (hydrometer, syringes etc..) can I make a solution up and keep in a sealed bucket? I would replace the solution once every few days, I just seem to be using a lot of sterliser for a couple of bits of kit.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[oldbloke]

TC ought to clear, but it may depend which juice you used. I generally bottle when it's almost but not quite clear (when you've done a few you'll recognise the moment), and the 3 weeks in the bottle give it time to finish clearing and to condition nicely. Or you could drop a hydrometer in and see what it says.

 

[Peapodmaster]

Yeah the finings should work, just make sure you follow their instructions. with most TC's (even though its not apple juice that you pulped) they contain pectin. so you should use a tsp of pectolase (to get rid of pectin haze(which makes fruit alcohols cloudy, like pear and apple cider, wines, mead)

i'd reccomend syphoning it into another demijohn so the sediment at the bottom has less change of going in your bottle.. syphon it and then leave it to stand again.. then bottle it. it wont spoil it if you do it straight away. just more chance you'll have sediment in your drink :sick: (if your sure fermentation has stopped) have you a hydrometer? you can check your ABV% and if its stop fermenting. when priming the bottle you'll need a tsp of sugar to make the cider fizzy (if you want it fizzy).

if your feeling that for little objects you are using to much sanitiser. you can always put them in boiling water (but not your hydrometer, it says on the instructions not to put in boiling water). it should kill most germs but sanitizer is always better. i get Youngs sterilizer and cleaner which is a good one to use. (i think) most people use VWP sterilizer though.

Hope i've answered your questions!

Good luck with your batch and welcome to the forum!

Andy

 

[wardup82]

Hi,

Thank you for the welcome and the quic replies! I used Tesco's own apple juice (not the value one) I followed a very basic recipe on here, just apple juice and yeast, would it be ok to add the pectolase at this late stage? I have since found a better receipe that Marrsy has posted so will use that in the future.

I have a hydrometer and that showed 1.000 when I tested yesterday. Started at 1.046 so by my calculations should be approx 5.9%? I had a little taste yesterday and was impressed and whilst I don't mind it cloudy I would prefer it clear in the glass.

Thanks again

 

[abeyptfc]

you can buy 'starsan' which is a non rinse sanitiser and you can re-use it many times. its good if you are using cornies for example where you dont have to waste time rinsing them out etc.

 

[Peapodmaster]

Personally i would say its a bit late for pectolase. unless you wanna leave your bottles for a while. i've noticed that pectolase takes 3 - 4 weeks to properly work (And sometimes it doesn't work fully, thats where the finings come in) but using finings should be fine and it'll be all good!

That sounds about right, a good % for a Cyder.

We all learn what to do next time from experiance. i've personally never done an "original" TC. only variations like. blackberry TC, ribena TC and i'm thinking about doing a ginger TC. but i'll try the original and see how it goes i think.

its a cheap and easy way to make cider which tastes good too!

Cheers.

 

[wardup82]

Ok Andy thanks for your help