22/07/2013: I started the kit as instructed an placed the FV in the garage. I was using a heater similar to the aquarium heaters, but no signs of life for 48 hours, despite a rather warm spell of weather.
24/07/2013: I carefully moved the FV into the conservatory, and within 24 hours it was going like a rocket, bubbling every 3 or 4 seconds.
30/07/2013: Stopped bubbling, so left for a couple of days to see if it started up again as the weather was much warmer again at the start of August.
03/08/2013: Racked off added the flavour pack supplied with the kit and, as advised in the instructions, 5oz of Granulated sugar. I bottled it into a selection of 2 & 3 litre Coke and Cider PET bottles. Looks darker than I expected. Managed to bottle up 20 litres (of an expected 23)
14/08/2013: Has cleared. Opened one of the 2 litre bottles, after 24 hours chilling in the fridge (standing upright to not disturb the small amount of sediment). It opened with a satisfying Pssssst, and did not foam out like a grand prix win. Well pleased ( more pleasantly surprised) with the taste, a good apple flavour, with no aftertaste to it at all. good supply of rising bubbles whilst in the glass.
I have been reading many posts on this site and will use the Bulk Maturing method for my next batch of Cider, as I believe that it will give me less sediment in the final bottled product (Tonight I have started a 24 litre/42 Pints TC tonight - Will report on that later as it progresses)
24/07/2013: I carefully moved the FV into the conservatory, and within 24 hours it was going like a rocket, bubbling every 3 or 4 seconds.
30/07/2013: Stopped bubbling, so left for a couple of days to see if it started up again as the weather was much warmer again at the start of August.
03/08/2013: Racked off added the flavour pack supplied with the kit and, as advised in the instructions, 5oz of Granulated sugar. I bottled it into a selection of 2 & 3 litre Coke and Cider PET bottles. Looks darker than I expected. Managed to bottle up 20 litres (of an expected 23)
14/08/2013: Has cleared. Opened one of the 2 litre bottles, after 24 hours chilling in the fridge (standing upright to not disturb the small amount of sediment). It opened with a satisfying Pssssst, and did not foam out like a grand prix win. Well pleased ( more pleasantly surprised) with the taste, a good apple flavour, with no aftertaste to it at all. good supply of rising bubbles whilst in the glass.
I have been reading many posts on this site and will use the Bulk Maturing method for my next batch of Cider, as I believe that it will give me less sediment in the final bottled product (Tonight I have started a 24 litre/42 Pints TC tonight - Will report on that later as it progresses)
