Reality Check - Apple Cyser Recipe

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Generally if you've got mead or fruit in your airlock, the sooner you clean it out the better, because in a standard airlock it's going to be exposed to oxygen, bacteria and possibly fruit flies, and you don't want this backwashing into your mead. I once had a small colony of fruit flies breed in an airlock that I ignored for too long (dark corner, didn't notice it) and the little buggers hatched and crawled out on the wine side! (where they promptly died and were filtered out with a jet filter)... And if it does collect mold or bacteria, remember, any smells that it might make are also exposed to your mead.

And the sooner you clean it out of the airlock the less likely it is to require scrubbing to remove scungy bits sticking to the plastic (although keeping a fuzzy pipecleaner on hand is never a bad idea).
 
How long does EC-1118 usually take to complete its primary fermentation? My balloon is still inflated (though it's a bit softer) and there are some bubbles on the surface of the must but it doesn't seem to be doing much of anything.

Does the amount of Fermax in the must have an effect on the speed? I accidentally overdosed (like THREE times the required amount) on this one. It's a one-gallon batch. This was mixed last Thursday night, so it's a few hours over a week old...
 
ec-1118 is fairly quick. temp will make a differnce in speed. mine was finished in 5 days, transfered to carboy and let sit for a week to degass and settle. then racked.

not sure on the fermax, it depends a lot on what the required amount is. i doubt overdosing it will speed things up, but it could well change the taste.
 
ec-1118 is fairly quick. temp will make a differnce in speed. mine was finished in 5 days, transfered to carboy and let sit for a week to degass and settle. then racked.

not sure on the fermax, it depends a lot on what the required amount is. i doubt overdosing it will speed things up, but it could well change the taste.

It's closer to the higher end of 1118's spectrum (15-30C)... it's closer to 30 than 15... Fermax instructions are 1 tsp/gallon... I was tired when I made it and didn't notice I put in a tablespoon until it was too late... :)
 
sounds like its going to be a fairly hot brew, much like mine. it will need a long time to age. see what it tastes like in a few months time and go from there.

in the meantime try again :)
 
much the same problem even in this cooler climite. need to rig something like an old fridge to get the temp down under 20c.
 
Interested in trying my jet fuel? I'll try some of yours... maybe we can solve the fuel crisis... ;)

actually using it as fuel is on the cards. later in the year i will be looking at trying to make mead badly ie make it produce as much methanol and other alcohols as it can. then it will be cleaned/distilled for use in engines.
mmm.......a mead powered car ;D
 
Racked it today... also had a small taste when I transferred to the sample bottle that I'm taking to work on Monday... all I can say is that I'm not terribly worried about contamination -- my cyser will most likely kick the crap out of anything silly enough to get into it... I could feel the difference -- the bread yeast is a baby compared to this animal... WOW... I'll wave to you all as I orbit the earth... ;D
 
actually using it as fuel is on the cards. later in the year i will be looking at trying to make mead badly ie make it produce as much methanol and other alcohols as it can. then it will be cleaned/distilled for use in engines.
mmm.......a mead powered car ;D

As much as I salute all alt power endevors, this is a really bad idea! You'd be better off fermenting corn sugar or something else that's dirt cheap, not expensive honey! Since you wouldn't be drinking it anyways there's really no point.

Plus is would be many times more expensive than gasoline anyways!
 
As much as I salute all alt power endevors, this is a really bad idea! You'd be better off fermenting corn sugar or something else that's dirt cheap, not expensive honey! Since you wouldn't be drinking it anyways there's really no point.

Plus is would be many times more expensive than gasoline anyways!

the honey is free as its not for consumption (floor scrapings, spillages, machine washings etc). its surprising how much goes down the drain of a processing room.
 
SG: 1.000 straight out of ferment

Added 12 oz Clover honey and about 1 liter water to top up. Took another sample.

SG: 1.020

Fermentation has restarted. Not as violently, but the balloon's got some air in it...

My boss actually tasted the stuff -- she found it delicious, though strong.