How long to carbonate in bottles?

[OlliesDad]

I've got a couple of ciders on the go which should OK for bottling within the next week or two.

I want to drink them at Xmas! I also would like some of it fizzy. How long does the carbonation process take in the bottle approximately?

Have I got time to get some in for Crimbo?


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[Razor]

If you store your bottles somewhere warm and leave for 2 weeks they should be carbed just in time.


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[Dutto]

Carbed, but not necessarily cleared.

Personally I would give the cider ten days somewhere nice and warm and dark (until the 19th) and then move the bottles (very gently) to somewhere cold and dark to clear for Christmas.

They may not be fully carbed or fully clear and will require careful pouring to not disturb the yeast ...

... but you will know next year to start somewhere around mid-September! :whistle:

 

[terrym]

But don't try to rush it and bottle before the fermentation has completed, or you might just end up with gushers or bottle bombs.
If you still have some days before you bottle (as you suggest) I would plan on some bottles of still cider for Xmas and after (no priming needed, straight to a cold place to clear) and the rest primed for carbonation for New Years Eve and beyond.

 

[engineer]

I leave mine inside the house for one week after bottling (primed 1 tsp to 1 litre) and then they go in the garage. They have always been well carbonated.