Okay, so I’ve been reading A LOT. This is my first time making a batch of cider. I bought two glass jugs of organic cider from whole foods. I did this mainly so that I could just use the jugs for fermentation as well. (Trying to keep things as simple as possible) I got two gallons, because I want to experiment with back carbonating as well as bottling at a specific point without having to back carbonate.
I guess my question is- at what point (Gravity) should I bottle on the latter of the two gallons to avoid bombs but also allow me to be a bit on the impatient side. (I know my own impatience very well, which is why I bought the second gallon) :lol:
Anyways, I’m obviously pretty new to this whole thing. Thanks for any thoughts in advance!
also- thoughts on a good yeast would be helpful too since I will be off to the brew shop tomorrow after work to get the final supplies to get started.
Not an easy question to get a solid answer for. Here’s a general one.
When the cider is about 3 points above your expected final gravity, that would be a good point.
I wouldn’t bottle-carb it in the 1-g jugs; they may not hold enough pressure. Good luck, and tell us how it goes.
Okay. So I guess this raises another question for me. How would I go about calculating what my expected g should be? Also- I plan on bottling in some 12oz glass bottles. Would that be appropriate? Another thing I’ve been wondering- I’ve hear of people putting the finishe bottles in the dishwasher for killing the remaining yeast. Would carbonation still be preserved?
By the way- I see you’re from Ohio. I’m from Columbus (Dublin) area myself.
Unless you’ve used the juice and yeast before, there’s no way to be sure what your final gravity will be. You can run a forced-ferment test, where you basically make a little starter with your juice a little bit of yeast. This will ferment quickly (24 hours with a stirplate or intermittent shaking) and give you the maximum amount your must will ferment. I’d probably assume about 2 points above this is going to be your final gravity. If you’re not going to do that, then you have to make a guess. It’s really tough to know how far it would go, but if I were doing it, I’d probably guess that the cider will finish about 0.998. I’d cap it at 1.002 and put the jug in a cardboard box, inside a trash bag so the explosion will be contained if there is one.
12oz bottles would be great to use for either “back-carbonating” or for bottling as it approaches terminal gravity.
I’ve never finished bottles in the dishwasher, but there’s no reason it would hurt the carbonation unless the glass broke or the cap popped off.
I sort of assumed as much (the guess part). I know there is always a chance of creating bombs lol. I’m sure it will take some experimenting to get it right. I unfortunately don’t have the space or money to invest I’m forced carb equipment and I don’t even really drink enough to justify one at the moment.
I really appreciate the help with my questions. I think most of my ignorance is in the carbonation stage because I know that it is to most dangerous part and could result in a giant mess. Whereas if I don’t brew properly it just won’t turn out.
