Help! Mold??

[danno21]

Hi Guys. All new to the homebrewing scene but we were given a load of apples the other day so thought we would give it a try. The chap who donated the apples suggested we try a wild yeast brew so we did. Anyway three days after pressing the apples into the fermenting bin there is a white layer on the top which looks like there are specs of green mold. Im assuming this isnt good?? Is there anything we can do or is it a case of chucking it away and putting it down to experience??

I have pics but how do i upload?? Photobucket link wont work.

 

[scott78]

i think 3 days is fast for anything to grow, have you kepy it indoors? i sugest you add campden tabs, wait 36hrs then add cider yeast. do you know the pH?

 

[danno21]

i think 3 days is fast for anything to grow, have you kepy it indoors? i sugest you add campden tabs, wait 36hrs then add cider yeast. do you know the pH?

Yes its been indoors since we pressed it. We took a reading with the hydrometer at the start which was 1042 if thats any help??

 

[scott78]

how much have you made? if you want to keep it natural then all you can to is keep an eye on it, if you have loads then you could rack off a DJ full and treat it as i said before, if they both turn out ok you can compare wild vrs cultured yeast. i wouldnt go by the smell as cider can smell rank and turn out good.

 

[danno21]

how much have you made? if you want to keep it natural then all you can to is keep an eye on it, if you have loads then you could rack off a DJ full and treat it as i said before, if they both turn out ok you can compare wild vrs cultured yeast. i wouldnt go by the smell as cider can smell rank and turn out good.

We have 18 litres. It smells quite nice but its the green mold looking specs that worry me.

Whats the best course of action?

 

[scott78]

it would be a shame to have to throw your first 18l away, I would syphon out the juice, leaving the sediment and floating solids behind. add 1 campden tab/gal crushed. wait 24-36 hours then pitch cider/white wine yeast. if it tasted ok now then it should turn out fine

 

[danno21]

it would be a shame to have to throw your first 18l away, I would syphon out the juice, leaving the sediment and floating solids behind. add 1 campden tab/gal crushed. wait 24-36 hours then pitch cider/white wine yeast. if it tasted ok now then it should turn out fine

Thanks

I will need to get another fermenting bin to syphon into. I have a load of demijohns here?

One tablet per gallon. is that correct?

 

[scott78]

yes 1 tab/gal, I think the DJs would be a good idea, not sure what style of cider your after but with 4 identical batches you can add wine tannin to one to see if you like it, without having to risk the whole batch. its cheap enough from the HB shop

 

[danno21]

Ideally looking for a dry scrumpy cider but not to fussy!

So syphon the juice into demijohns and add a campden tablet. What about the yeast? How do I add that?

Cheers

 

[evanvine]

Just keep it covered to stop crap and the fruit fly and let it ferment out.
After 10 days check your gravity.

 

[scott78]

half a pack per Dj should be fine, make sure you wait the 24-36hrs after the campden addition then you just sprinkle it in.

 

[danno21]

Cheers.

I have some airlocks so will fit them?

 

[scott78]

yes you must fit airlocks, if keeping them indoors keep an eye out for them drying out, if you have used eating/cooking apples then you will need some wine tannin to get a scrumpy style. 1 teaspoon a gal for that should make the style your after.

 

[danno21]

Great

Should the tannin go in at the same time as Camden and yeast?

Also is the universal wine yeast that wilkos sell the right stuff?

 

[danno21]

So I racked it off into demijohns tonight and added Camden tablets and fitted airlocks. Got a taste of it when siphoning and it didn't taste to bad, still more like an apple juice.

 

[scott78]

yes the tannin can go in now, any white wine or cider yeast is ok.

 

[danno21]

Ok. Will pick up some yeast tomorrow.

Will have a look out for tannin

Should I start seeing the airlocks bubbling anytime soon?

 

[scott78]

its going to take a week or more to get bubbling, you will need the yeast your adding to get started before you see any activity.

 

[danno21]

Cheers

Will get the yeast tommorow.

Hope i have managed to salvage it! :?

 

[danno21]

Are white wine nutrients any good or does it have to be white wine yeast? :?