Straining off the must

[Turbotez]

Im hopefully, as long as it doesnt rain, going to pick some elderflowers today, just enough for a gallon to start.

Question is, when it comes to straining off the must ready to put in a DJ for the rest of ferm' whats the best way??

I have a strain bag from the lhbm and i also have harris filter thing, could i put the strain bag in there then pour in the must???

 

[Moley]

Yes, I used to have one of those filters and thought it was bloody useless, but I still have the bottom bucket.

Use that, or just put the bag inside a big funnel.

 

[Turbotez]

nice one, thanks Moley!! Was just about to get ready to go out and its started to drizzle!! That and the little one has decided to go to bed, so may have a walk later and see if they are dry :pray:

 

[Turbotez]

well, the drizzle hasnt even wetted(sp) the floor so gonna go for a walk soon and pick some elders. Quite looking forward to popping the country wine cherry, but slightly nervous at the same time!!! :|

 

[leondz]

It is a lovely cherry to pop, don't worry, you'll be fine :)

If you're looking for a second opinion to CJJB and his book, Ian Ball's "Wine making the natural way" has plenty of good theory and tips, as well as tons of recipes that don't use nearly as much sugar as those in CJJB. You can usually pick it up second-hand from Amazon for £3 or so.

 

[Alan Clark]

I used a straining bag on sunday night for my elderflower wine, and will use it again for elderflower Mk.II on Monday, I put it in a big funnel.

 

[petescountrybrews]

I used muslin (available from fabric and curtain shops) and that worked a treat for my elderflowers. Really enjoyable stuff to work with, was 4.99 for a metre by two metres.

:)

 

[Alan Clark]

Ah yes, another material I have used, for blackberry wine and cider last year, it was particularly good in my home built press for the apples, I pureed the apples in a blender and then put them in the press which I had lined with muslin and folded it over to completely cover the mush before pressing the living daylights out of it.

 

Ah yes, another material I have used, for blackberry wine and cider last year, it was particularly good in my home built press for the apples, I pureed the apples in a blender and then put them in the press which I had lined with muslin and folded it over to completely cover the mush before pressing the living daylights out of it.

Do you mean you formed a "cheese" and gently pressed it with about a tonne of pressure? :whistle:

 

[Alan Clark]

Yes, it came out just like a cheese round.

 

[Growler]

Ah yes, another material I have used, for blackberry wine and cider last year, it was particularly good in my home built press for the apples, I pureed the apples in a blender and then put them in the press which I had lined with muslin and folded it over to completely cover the mush before pressing the living daylights out of it.

I do the same but found that after 2 or 3 uses the muslin starts to tear and has to go in the bin
also found it quite difficult to get it clean after every use :wha:

 

[Barkie]

I hauled the big bits out with a spoon then used a double layer square of muslin to line my large funnel. I rinse it under a running tap to clear any debris/wash it. To save it from tearing when done I lay it on a clean tea-towel, roll it into a sausage and then wring out the sausage gently.