A question of age...

[AWKBrewing13]

I have a question about aging. Because Cider has to sit for a while to age properly should one use a neutral spirits for the air lock so as not to let bacteria get into the fermenter then after fermentation is done just use a plug on the carboy so nothing can get in or out???

 

[UpstateMike]

Lots of people use cheap vodka in the airlock.

 

[LeBreton]

I use the same sanitizer I soak the airlock in. Even though relatively little fermentation takes place in the secondary I would never plug a carboy.

 

[liquidavalon]

I use cheap vodka. I would rather be safe than sorry if anything ever gets sucked into the batch...I would rather vodka than anything else.

 

[AWKBrewing13]

so why no plug? especially if you are stunting the yeast with a preservative or killing it with potassium metabisulfite No CO2 would be produced.


Less risk of anything getting into it

 

[UpstateMike]

so why no plug? especially if you are stunting the yeast with a preservative or killing it with potassium metabisulfite No CO2 would be produced.


Less risk of anything getting into it

If something makes it thru a carboy with an airlock that has vodka in it, then the disease is airborn and you are already dead.

 

[liquidavalon]

so why no plug? especially if you are stunting the yeast with a preservative or killing it with potassium metabisulfite No CO2 would be produced.


Less risk of anything getting into it

Plug if you are sure that fermentation has stopped and I guess airlock if it is still fermenting. In my limited knowledge at the point you are talking about I would just bottle it and let it age in them.

 

[AWKBrewing13]

I keg as well.

how long should you let it sit in bottles?

 

[liquidavalon]

how long should you let it sit in bottles?

From what I can tell from my research...the longer, the better ( depending on if it is really sweet or not...I guess sweet ciders don't age well, or so I have read ). The alcohol is allowed to balance out. But, ultimately it is your perogative. Age them for different lengths, open one occassionally and see how they are doing.