First WOW

[Chippy_Tea]

I have only made kits so far but have decided to give WOW's a go.

I started the standard WGJ and Orange juice WOW four days ago and an apple juice version two days ago using the excellent guide in this forum, the lava lamp stage of the OJ version has now settled down and the apple version has not been anywhere near as volcanic.

Could i ask if there is a reason the OJ version smells a little odd in fact not very nice at all, my recent rose kit had the same smell from day one to the day i racked it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[31bb3]

chances are its just the fermenting sometimes you get strange smells coming off the brew

 

[bobsbeer]

I think it depends on the ingredients you are fermenting. Fear not the smell goes away and decent wine remains. :thumb:

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Thanks Bob and 31bb3 i was hoping that would be the answer.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

My orange and wgj wow stopped bubbling on Sunday night, should do I leave it another week or will I be OK to rack it to a clean DJ for stabilising and clearing e.t.c.

 

[adrianmole72]

I was really dubious, but I made it and I love it- even the wife likes it, and she thinks all homebrew is gut-rot ! :thumb: :

 

[Chippy_Tea]

How many days did you leave it after it stopped bubbling before you added stabiliser and did you do this in another DJ?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

When I do finally stabilise and clear do I have to keep the airlock on or can I use a solid bung in the DJ, the reason i ask is I have plenty of storage space in my cupboards but the DJs wont fit with airlocks on but will with bungs in.

 

[stevie1556]

Have you got a hydrometer? If so, check the sugar level and that will tell you if its finished without the need for guessing. If it's between 0.990-0.995 then it's finished.

I generally leave mine under airlock, but when clearing and aging my last batch my airlocks ran dry! Don't know how long then were empty for but for that reason I'll say solid bung.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Yes i have one so will check, i will be back sweetening and have been advised in another forum that its not wise to use a solid bung in a glass DJ and in the same thread that it is OK, so i am now more confused.

I didn't make the last post very clear, i meant can i leave the DJ in the cupboard with a solid bung for the two days it takes the wine to clear, after that i intend to rack into sterile 2 litre pop bottles or is the risk still as great if its for 2 days or 2 months?.