Fermenting question - Newbie

[chris_newton]

Hi All

Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong section, i am sure it is but cant seem to find where to post it.

I have just bought a Vodka starter kit, now i appreciate that people are probably against kits, and i do intend to make all this stuff properly, as i used to do lagers, wines a few years ago, and got really into it.

anyways in the instructions its says to fill your fermenter with 5 litres (9pints) in total. Now then it does say you can use a glass demijohn but i am a bit concerned as 9 pints fills it right to the very top of the demijohn and i always thought there needed to be a bit of a gap to stop it exploding etc while it ferments...so firstly is it ok to fill to the top or is this not wise?

my second question is i have a 5 gallon fermenting vessel that i used to do my lager in, could i do this vodka kit in that? or will there be to big of a gap between the liquid and the the airlock for it to ferment...sorry if these seem very basic questions i am just really unsure on the best way to go, ideally i would like to use my bigger fermenting vessel but with there only being 1 gallon in a 5 gallon vessel im not sure if it will work...any help will be much appreciated and sorry again if this is in the wrong section

Chris

 

[falafael]

hi and welcome, firstly people arent against kits, if they say differently, then slap em!! as for your question, go for the 5 gal container, as long as the lids on, and a airlock in the lid, it wont matter one iota mate!!

Let us know how you get on with this kit mate, have looked at this side recently, love the diff types of 'flavourings' you can get for the alcohol

 

[chris_newton]

wow many thanks for your quick reply, so the 5 gallon will be ok then? thats eased my mind i just did not know weather the bubbles would still come out of the air lock with there being such a big gap.

Oddly enough you have kinda made me think of another question mate.....i have actually bought a strawberry flavoring to go with the vodka, its in a tiny little bottle an the woman in my local homebrew shop said all you do is add it to 1 bottle of the vodka when its made and thats it.....however when i have read the instructions on the side of the bottle it says to add 6 oz of sugar with the flavoring to each bottle. is this safe to do? this will not start of another mini fermenting when its corked will it??

Again many thanks for your help on all this and i will report back what its like

Chris

 

[falafael]

yeah, shes right, basically after its done fermenting you add the relevant quantitys to the liquor, as far as i remeber, you'll get a liquid with the strength of 20%, some people buy equipment to take the 20% to 40%, then add the flavourings, whether its, vodka, brandy, southern comfort , sambucca etc!

Not sure bout the sugar, am in homebrew shop soon, will enguire for you and post here!

 

[chris_newton]

yes the vodka kits makes about 20% and the little bottle is basically a flavoring and it does say on the bottle and ill quote lol "pur the contents of this bottle and 180 gramms of granualted sugar into a 75cl bottle.. Fill 3/4 full with alcohol and shake until the sugar has disolved. top us the the bottle and shake until contents have fully blended."

So i guess adding the sugar must be ok but if you could confirm this mate that would be most appreciated

Again thanks

Chris

 

[falafael]

ok will do, 20%....hmmmm, reminds me of drinking 20/20 few years back now!!!!
might be worth an investment!!
:

 

[chris_newton]

wow 20/20 that takes me back...yummmy :):)

Again thanks bud you have been a great help

 

[chris_newton]

oh on a side note i really want to get into lager again, i noticed in the home brew shop they have a mini keg barrel starter kits, bascially its 5 mini kegs with bungs and you just zap a bullet of gas into them, much easier than botlting i guess. Have you seen these and are they any good? they are about £65.

here is the link

http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/ca ... MIN2158542