Recent content by kukubau

Hi all Here's the last (hard) cider I've fermented using Safale S-04 yeast and pressed apple juice from my orchard (all desert apples). My 5th batch ever and the first one using this yeast strain. Nottingham was my preferred yeast, until now. 1.050 SG - 1.006 FG - 5.78% potential ABV%. No...

Both, bottle carbing AND stove top pasteurize. Read the first post carefuller!

My cider has dropped to 1.002 two days ago and I've racked it to another carboy, forgetting to take some of the lees off the bottom. Well, man learns everytime. I've used the so well reviewed WLP775 cider yeast from White Labs and it is still sweet. I thought that by this low SG will be...

Very hard to say. Use per instructions. Yeast nutrient /energizer from Wyeast should be added 1/2 tsp.(2.5 grams) per 5 gallons, but that is for beer. While apple juice is low in nutrients (Nitrogen) I add 2 tsp. (~10 grams) per 5-6 gallons. Try to find DAP (diammonium phosphate) +thiamine,+Vit...

Cider doesn't need any staggered feeding as mead does.

I disagree that pasteurizing is an advanced technique. Is very easy to do with a bit of preparation.

I've just bought a 5 L jar in which I'll be stepping up my yeast starters from now on. For my 60 L (15 US gallons) cider batch, I'd like to build a 3,5 L large starter, but I'm not totally convinced that using just DME is the right solution. Should I just use plain apple juice, apple juice with...

What did you use to clear it and what sugar did you add to boost its OG?

:)) I chime in.

What ph meter are you using, or do you use the pH stripes?

CamPden not Camden is overpriced KMeta, I can buy the powder form very cheap over here. My question is regarding the nonpasteurized juice, will make such a big difference?

I'm about to start fermenting 13 gallons of fresh farm pressed apple juice (cider for you over the pod) from normal dessert apples, using WLP7705, but the juice comes unpasteurized. Regarding this, will it be better not to sulfite the juice at all? How will that turn out? Will it improve the...

Hi all Thank you for all your great help and Merry Christmas! I've looked at http://www.brewunited.com/yeast_calculator.php and at others like http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator and nowhere is recommended to cold freeze/decant before pitching and just add the...

Actually no. Some yeast strains are notorious in producing H2S. WLP775 is one that just came to me. Cider ferments just fine without yeast nutrients and energizer. People have the psychological need to spend money on Fermaid and Kaid and **** like that. If you really want, buy some plain DAP and...

I'm about to clean my carboys. Could I use a normal dish detergent and then just apply some Star San as I always do? I don't see any reason to buy a brewing specific detergent. What do you think?