Should I bottle this now or not?

[SwiftG40]

New to the forum so Hello everyone.

Just after some advice,
I've got an apple & elderflower cider in primary (13 days in) I've kept it at 20-21 degrees celsius (68-70F) & I haven't used any nutrient as it was a kit & it's had the rhino farts for about a week. It isn't as bad as it was but the SG has settled at 0.998 for 2 days (Started at 1.040). I gave it a very gentle stir tonight as I believe that can help dissipate the sulphur?
I'm not sure whether to rack it for a few days to a clean vessel then see how it is & bottle it? or is there anything I can add to it before bottling? It doesn't taste like it smells, it's quite tart almost slightly wine like.
I'm just a bit concerned that I'll open a load of off cider in a couple of months


Any ideas?

Cheers

 

[Fuzzymittenbrewing]

Happened to me on my last batch of fresh pressed cider. I splash racked and left for two weeks then bottled. Left in bottles for at least another two. Sulfur gone and very tasty.

 

[D-west]

Happened to me on my last batch of fresh pressed cider. I splash racked and left for two weeks then bottled. Left in bottles for at least another two. Sulfur gone and very tasty.

Noob question, what is splash racked?

 

[aviator01]

Racking from one carboy to another, but splashing the cider/wine/beer into the receiving container. This should help dissipate the gases currently in solution, but could lead to oxidizing if too aggressive.

 

[Wolfbayte]

Noob question, what is splash racked?

poured instead of siphoned

 

[Fuzzymittenbrewing]

Noob question, what is splash racked?

Don't pour instead of siphon! You will end up with oxidized cider. Siphon as usual holding the hose against the wall of the carboy (spreading the flow out) and towards the top.

 

[SwiftG40]

Thanks for the help, it's in a 5gal fermenting bucket right now (same as a brew my beer in) is it ok to rack in to another bucket or best to go in to a carboy?

I'm going to rack it today for sure!

 

[Wolfbayte]

Thanks for the help, it's in a 5gal fermenting bucket right now (same as a brew my beer in) is it ok to rack in to another bucket or best to go in to a carboy?

I'm going to rack it today for sure!

You don't want headspace so make sure the bucket isn't too big for the volume of your cider.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks for the help, it's in a 5gal fermenting bucket right now (same as a brew my beer in) is it ok to rack in to another bucket or best to go in to a carboy?

I'm going to rack it today for sure!

Not a bucket- it's got a wide headspace. It can go into a carboy up to within an inch below the bung, or in a demijohn of the appropriate size.

 

[SwiftG40]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422116033.939911.jpg

Cheers guys, just got home from the brew shop with a nice new carboy which should be pretty much full. Just sanitising everything before the transfer. I also got some acesulphame k sweetener as I've brewed it very dry so going to try a small amount of that too.
I'll let you know how it goes but you live & learn I suppose 👍

Thanks again!

 

[SwiftG40]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422124832.887919.jpg

All done and it already smells better from just getting it out of the bucket and off the off the lees. I've added 2 grams of sweetener too, I think things are looking good now 😃

 

[Fuzzymittenbrewing]

View attachment 251186

All done and it already smells better from just getting it out of the bucket and off the off the lees. I've added 2 grams of sweetener too, I think things are looking good now 😃

Looks like its on life support lol

 

[SwiftG40]

Looks like its on life support lol

Lol, it kind of is...it's my home made heater belt & temp controller. Keeps my brews warm during the night

 

[SwiftG40]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1423691230.483486.jpg
Opened the first bottle of this cider tonight & it's really really nice, looking forward to the next 43 bottles now 👍

 

[Fuzzymittenbrewing]

Looks great!!