my first batch on the go help please.

[onepint]

righty oh got the kit today followed instructions to the tee i put the bucket on a heat matt is this ok ill never get the temp right.put the airlock in the top of the lid with water in it i took the top off the air lock so air can get out. (is this right)i know it is it doesn't say in the instructions. now there is one thing i got with the kit and i don't know what it is can someone help its a plastic hollow tube about 12 inch with a top on it it looks like a air valve of some sort anyone know what it is and how to use it?thanks for any help stewart .ps do i need to add tea?the kit is john bull cider.

 

[Djtrouble1982]

Sounds like sython tube

 

[alanywiseman.]

Is the tube hard? It sounds like a bottling wand. I will put up a link when I am not on my phone.

 

[onepint]

yip its a hard plastic tube and a cap like thing on the top with air holes in the top of tube under the cap

 

[Djtrouble1982]

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/sim ... -p-88.html

 

[oldbloke]

i took the top off the air lock so air can get out. (is this right)

It's a dust cap and doesn't actually form a seal. You ought to leave it on but it doesn't really matter, it's very unlikely that anything will go the wrong way through the water in the airlock.

 

[onepint]

Djtrouble1982 that's it thanks for the link now i know what to do with it lol i owe you a pint will cider do? and ill put the cap on the airlock it bubbling away must be working. thanks for all your help guy's but should i add tea?

 

[Elindail]

Short answer, no. :) Putting tea in adds tannin, which since it's a kit it should already contain everything it needs to make a decent pint! You only need to add tea or powdered tannin if you're making a turbo cider (or some wines or non-kit cider). Happy brewing! :

 

[GREBO75]

the tube with the cap sounds like it could be a syphon tube. They often have a cap on the end so that when you put them into the bottom of the DJ they won't suck up any of the crud sitting on the bottom.

 

[Djtrouble1982]

Cider would be fine :)