First time cider question

[kodak79]

I pressed all of my apples at the weekend and have just added crushed campden tablets and found that the juice was a lot more viscous than i expected when taking the SG (incidentally it was 1042).

Is this normal and will it become less thick as it ferments?

Thanks,
Chris

There's all manner of other things that I don't know yet but haven't had time to read up past the very first stage, so just have my yeast and yeast nutrients ready to go. Therefore any other pointers would be great.

 

[chewie]

I've not made cider but i would assume that adding pectolase should be the next thing you do, this will help break the juice down and will help it clear a lot better after fermentation and prevent it going hazy when chilled.

 

[GB2014]

I use a straining bag in my press which keeps all the pulp out.

As yours ferments most of the pulp / suspended particles etc. will settle down to the bottom and the liquid will be on top, clearer. After fermentation you can siphon it into a new DJ and just have the clear cider. However you could add pectolase for even more professional results.

 

[kodak79]

Thanks,
I used a straining net when pressing so there is minimal solids in the juice, it just seems fairly thick. Hopefully this will sort itself out as suggested and will read into the pectolase.

Ideally I want to make sparkling cider but I'm being put off slightly by a lot of bottle bomb talk - is cider more likely to blow than beers, because I've never had any issues with my beer?

 

[Roddy]

I make mine pretty fizzy and have never had bottle bombs (touch wood)

unless the cider is bottled when it's not finished the primary fermentation (should go down to sg of 1.000), or far too much priming sugar is added, you should be alright

 

[Bramble]

I've bottled Pear Cider today 23 litres of it in plastic 1 litre tonic and soda water bottles with two sugar drops in each...never used sugar drops before lets hope all goes well..

 

[Roddy]

certainly shouldn't be over carbed then ☺

 

[Pirate_Pete]

I've bottled Pear Cider today 23 litres of it in plastic 1 litre tonic and soda water bottles with two sugar drops in each...never used sugar drops before lets hope all goes well..

Do you mean the carbonation drops? If so I think Roddy is on the right track saying it won't be overcarbed. Two of those drops is for a 750ml bottle.

 

[Bramble]

I read the destructions on the packet and it said one per pint, the bottles are one litre and theres 35 fluid ounces in a litre 5 ounces short of 2 pints...?

 

[Roddy]

If it's the coopers drops you used, they're supposed to be used at one per 500ml, so I'm sure you'll be fine as most drops would be similar I expect

 

[Pirate_Pete]

If it's the coopers drops you used, they're supposed to be used at one per 500ml, so I'm sure you'll be fine as most drops would be similar I expect

The packet I have here says one for 375ml and two for 750ml. That's why I thought Roddy was hinting it might not be carbed enough.

 

[Bramble]

: Cheers everyone am having another pint of my special Brew No5

 

[Bramble]

The packet I have here says one for 375ml and two for 750ml. That's why I thought Roddy was hinting it might not be carbed enough.

I bought these from Wilko's and they do look and taste of sugar.
Where I buy most of my stuff from hers were more expensive even with the 10% discount I get...