secondary fermentation of cider

[lee horn]

hi all

i've had a go at brewing beer before so i know a little about the basic process,but i have had a go at making cider for the first time.I have got as far as the second fermentation stage, i have two different batches, one natural and one by adding campden tablets then adding a packet of cider yeast. In the airlock of the natural batch there is lots of activity with lots of bubbles,but in the other batch there is no activity. Does this suggest that there is a problem, if so is there anyway around this. can anyone help?

 

[Green Pesto]

At a guess you have used the yeast too soon after the Campden tablet which is stopping the fermentation.

Try using some active yeast from another brew you have on the go & see if it starts to ferment or to see if it too dies off.
If it dies, then you may have lost that batch.
Otherwise, try to let the beer settle & then try racking off into another vessel leaving a good 1" (25mm) at the bottom & hopefully most of the Campden tablet.

With the fresh vessel you could try a re-start yeast.

If this was from a kit, then in no way should you use sterilisers or Campden tabs.
Sterilise before using equipment, but wash out with plain/fresh water before use!

Hope this helps?

 

[evanvine]

Campden tablets produce SO2 which is a preservative and antioxidant.
When used at high levels it will inhibit the yeast.
Vent your cider to atmosphere, but cover with a tea towel to keep dirt and flys out.
When the SO2 has dissipated the yeast will begin to work.
If the yeast won't work, neither will anything else!

 

[lee horn]

Hi lads
Thanks for the advice ,i thought that the campden tablets might have affected the new yeast that i added so when i was at the point between letting the campden tablets do their thing and adding the good yeast I left it a couple more days than the campden tables packet said so i thought it would be ok. I took your advice and vented them over night. The next morning some of them had started going mad with activitey and when i got home from work today the others have all started too, they are all now bubbling away which is great. The really sad thing is now i sit there just staring at them. Thanks again been a great help.

 

[evanvine]

The really sad thing is now i sit there just staring at them.

You are not alone

 

[Green Pesto]

Yup! There is something very satisfying about watching the air-bubbles rattling away!