Flying_Fox
Well-Known Member
So I got it all ready on Saturday. There was a bit of action at first from the yeast, now it’s just all gone cloudy and if you give it a bit of a shake it goes a bit fizzy........help!
Has my TC gone wrong?
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johncrobinson
Landlord.
It sounds just fine,Leave it to do its thing.
Flying_Fox
Well-Known Member
I was watching a video online and it wasn’t quite meant to do this lol. This is how it’s looking, no sign of fermentation though apart from the cloudiness
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johncrobinson
Landlord.
Hmmmm
Keep it warm (not hot) 24hrs a day you should soon see something happening
The fact it has gone cloudy is a GOOD sign.
Keep it warm (not hot) 24hrs a day you should soon see something happening
The fact it has gone cloudy is a GOOD sign.
Flying_Fox
Well-Known Member
Well it’s at room temperature. There’s a little sign that the yeast is working but that’s it, just been different to how I did it last time.
Would it have anything to do that I split a packet of yeast? Half in the first container and the other half in that one?
johncrobinson
Landlord.
No splitting a packet of yeast should cause you no problems.
Without me there to see it in person its hard to diagnose.
I think to be honest your just going to have to let it run its course and see how it turns out
there seems to be some??? fermentation.
On a more positive note
Remember "where there is life there is hope"
And yeast is life.
Without me there to see it in person its hard to diagnose.
I think to be honest your just going to have to let it run its course and see how it turns out
there seems to be some??? fermentation.
On a more positive note
Remember "where there is life there is hope"
And yeast is life.
Flying_Fox
Well-Known Member
I’ve completely ballsed this up! Just did another gravity test after a week and it’s only 1.18%! Have added some more brewing Sugar, that should kick off the yeast again right?
Otherwise should I just start again and get some proper Apple Juice rather than stuff with “No added Sugar”
Otherwise should I just start again and get some proper Apple Juice rather than stuff with “No added Sugar”
johncrobinson
Landlord.
Its not looking good
If there is still no action
I have allways found apple juice ferments like the clappers.(in about a week to 10- 12% alc or so.)
So this is a bit of a puzzle!
As regards the juice itself what you need is Pure apple juice,Not apple juice "drink" which may have sorbates in it to prevent fermentation.
It will say pure on the carton,check also for NO "additives".
From concentrate (and a lot of it is) is also just fine.
Do not add sulphites (campden) at the start,The juice will allready be sterile
I would also use a fresh pack of yeast as well. (your yeast could be duff)
I prefer EC1118 its totaly as bombproof as a yeast can be.
I allways add a bit of yeast nutrient as well.
Watch the temp ,This is important, Try and keep it STEADY at around 20c day AND night.(A bit higher will be no problem)
Especially as the fermentation progresses.
My one failure in over 40yrs was down to poor temp control.
Other than any of this i cant think offhand where you might have gone wrong.
If there is still no action
I have allways found apple juice ferments like the clappers.(in about a week to 10- 12% alc or so.)
So this is a bit of a puzzle!
As regards the juice itself what you need is Pure apple juice,Not apple juice "drink" which may have sorbates in it to prevent fermentation.
It will say pure on the carton,check also for NO "additives".
From concentrate (and a lot of it is) is also just fine.
Do not add sulphites (campden) at the start,The juice will allready be sterile
I would also use a fresh pack of yeast as well. (your yeast could be duff)
I prefer EC1118 its totaly as bombproof as a yeast can be.
I allways add a bit of yeast nutrient as well.
Watch the temp ,This is important, Try and keep it STEADY at around 20c day AND night.(A bit higher will be no problem)
Especially as the fermentation progresses.
My one failure in over 40yrs was down to poor temp control.
Other than any of this i cant think offhand where you might have gone wrong.
Flying_Fox
Well-Known Member
To be honest the juice could be where I went wrong and maybe the Temperature. I didn’t want to but I might purge it all and start again
Sinktipper
Active Member
I've got a TC on the go and it looks exactly like that. Waitrose apple juice and Young's cider yeast and a mugful of strong tea. It's in a cupboard at a steady 20c. I'm not using a bubbler, just loosened the cap (5L water bottle) slightly. I think it's fermenting... but I expected more action. To be honest, It only owes me about four quid, so I'll just leave it for a fortnight and see what happens.
johncrobinson
Landlord.
Re:>Sinktipper, There are several giveaways
(1) A head of foam on top of the wine
(2) You will be able to hear it fizzing if you put your ear to it
(3) There should be small bubbles rising if you tilt the bottle
(4) Best of all if you have a hygometer you will see the gravity drop on a daily basis.
Finally I dont want to give you a lecture but you are better off using a bubble air lock or a wad of cotton wool,If you acidently tighten your top and it is fermenting you could end up with a nasty smelly mess.
Even a bit of tinfoil as a cap would be better.
(1) A head of foam on top of the wine
(2) You will be able to hear it fizzing if you put your ear to it
(3) There should be small bubbles rising if you tilt the bottle
(4) Best of all if you have a hygometer you will see the gravity drop on a daily basis.
Finally I dont want to give you a lecture but you are better off using a bubble air lock or a wad of cotton wool,If you acidently tighten your top and it is fermenting you could end up with a nasty smelly mess.
Even a bit of tinfoil as a cap would be better.
Sinktipper
Active Member
Thanks - There's no krausen, but it is very, very cloudy. I rarely use bubblers, to be honest. I just crack the lid on a FV. No problems yet. I'll have a good look and listen when I get home from work.
johncrobinson
Landlord.
very,very,cloudy
Well that seems a good sign !!
I agree its fine to just loosly put the lid on a FV
I see you used the word Krausen,I previously assumed you were a beginner and not someone with brewing experience,Please accept my apologies if you thought i was talking down to you.
Well that seems a good sign !!
I agree its fine to just loosly put the lid on a FV
I see you used the word Krausen,I previously assumed you were a beginner and not someone with brewing experience,Please accept my apologies if you thought i was talking down to you.
Sinktipper
Active Member
No problem - and no apology needed!
Flying_Fox
Well-Known Member
Sorry guys it’s been a mad week. I’ve been trying to rush this brew to impress the guys at work etc but I know where I went wrong and will now improve.
I picked up Tesco’s “Growers Harvest” Apple Juice Drink so obviously that’s not the same as Apple Juice from Concentrate. When I did my Ribena TC I got Asda’s Bog Standard stuff so will do the same again! The plan of action for tomorrow is to purge, clean and get ready.
Next week I’ll try again and it should be ok this time
I picked up Tesco’s “Growers Harvest” Apple Juice Drink so obviously that’s not the same as Apple Juice from Concentrate. When I did my Ribena TC I got Asda’s Bog Standard stuff so will do the same again! The plan of action for tomorrow is to purge, clean and get ready.
Next week I’ll try again and it should be ok this time
Sinktipper
Active Member
Just took a sample of my week-old TC. The hydrometer nearly fell through the bottom of the trial jar, so it's well on the way.. And It really tastes like... cider. Actually tastes a lot like a Thatcher's real cider they used to sell at the Fighting Cock in Bradford when I were nobbut a lad. I'll rack it next week and see what happens.
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