I have 12 apple trees in my back garden and want to make cider this Autumn when the apples are ready.
Any tips on what I need and how difficult this would be?
I know I'll need:
*A press (what size 12L or 18L?)
*Fermentation buckets (have 2 25 L buckets)
*Yeast (champagne yeast)
*Syphon and tubing
*Hydrometer to measure SG and FG to calculate alcohol content
*Thermometer
*Camden tablets to get rid of wild yeasts before fermentation[/li][/list]
Hi Wexbrew,
In my opinion you should add some pectic enzyme before fermentation.I am using Pectolase but I prefer BIOWIN "Pektoenzym" (1-2ml/10kg of Apples).
(http://images.sklepy24.pl/51528751/14127/medium/biowin-pektoenzym-10ml.jpg)
Hi Wexbrew welcome to the world of cider.
Some time ago I posted this:
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,4308.0.html (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,4308.0.html)
as a guide to cider making from the juice we bulk buy in the autumn. It will give you a lot of info.
Around about page 17 there is a description of the apples to juice process!
I also have a thread somewhere with pictures of the process!
HTH! - Will
Thanks for the replies; some great information there.
I'm looking up a good bit of stuff on the internet.
Quote from: Wexbrew on July 13, 2015, 11:18:00 PM
*A press (what size 12L or 18L?)
There are numerous guides online and on YouTube to building your own press using wood and a carjack.
You'll also need some way of pulping the apples before pressing them. This is the cheap option: http://www.homebrewwest.ie/pulp-master-1061-p.asp but it's a lot of effort pulping a large amount of apples in a small bucket. Better option is to buy/build an apple scratter.
I've made cider from my own apples a couple of times, but I don't think I'll be doing it again - juice yield has generally been disappointing. The NHC generally does a group buy each year for juice from actual Cider apples - sounds like an easier option...
Quote from: shweeney on July 15, 2015, 11:45:38 AM
Quote from: Wexbrew on July 13, 2015, 11:18:00 PM
*A press (what size 12L or 18L?)
There are numerous guides online and on YouTube to building your own press using wood and a carjack.
You'll also need some way of pulping the apples before pressing them. This is the cheap option: http://www.homebrewwest.ie/pulp-master-1061-p.asp but it's a lot of effort pulping a large amount of apples in a small bucket. Better option is to buy/build an apple scratter.
I've made cider from my own apples a couple of times, but I don't think I'll be doing it again - juice yield has generally been disappointing. The NHC generally does a group buy each year for juice from actual Cider apples - sounds like an easier option...
I did see someone on the youtube who used a sanitised plastic barrel and a heavy wooden stake wrapped in plastic to bash the apples into pulp.
My trees don't seem to be too full yet and the apples are fairly small; maybe my goal of 5 gallons is over ambitious.
Is there plans for a group buy this year?
There is always a plan for NHC Members :)
This year we are gonna need a bigger truck though!
Quote from: Wexbrew on July 15, 2015, 02:35:35 PM
I did see someone on the youtube who used a sanitised plastic barrel and a heavy wooden stake wrapped in plastic to bash the apples into pulp.
My trees don't seem to be too full yet and the apples are fairly small; maybe my goal of 5 gallons is over ambitious.
I wouldn't worry to much about sanitisation - the apples aren't sanitised to start with. I used the bucket+stake method the first time I made cider - it's hard work and the bucket split.
Juice yield depends on the variety of apples, and the efficiency of your scratter and press
I had to use a knife to split the apples as the divider wasn't included (by mistake) in my kit.
(http://s15.postimg.org/c1fk9x1ez/split.jpg)
This method did the job and wasn't too much effort for the amount of apples I bashed.
(http://s15.postimg.org/9lic9t8q3/Bash.png)
This is the most enjoyable part.
(http://s15.postimg.org/x9t8rcfvv/Press.jpg)
The press 18 litres.
I did a full press yesterday and another today (about 6 Tesco bags) of apples) and got 14 litres of apple juice.
I added 3 level teaspoons of pectin powder stuff and half a sachet of yeast with nutrient (which I started in a cup of luke warm); I hope half a sachet of yeast is enough.
I put on a brew belt and it's about 18' now out in the shed.
Nice job - the pics are reminding me of how much work is involved. :) Where did you buy the press in the end?
Quote from: shweeney on September 28, 2015, 03:47:03 PM
Nice job - the pics are reminding me of how much work is involved. :) Where did you buy the press in the end?
Yeah, it's a good bit of work alright :); I didn't mind it though.
It still hasn't started bubbling through the fermenter so I'm starting to get a bit worried.
The initial SG was 1.050 so I added about 135 g of sugar to increase the alcohol content; however, I hear this may have inhibited the yeast I pitched.
I stirred it well today and pitched the other half of the yeast packet.
Brought the fermenting bucket into the house about an hour ago; bubbling away now.
Hopefully it won't get too warm.
Once its started it should go outside. Cider is best fermented slowly at low temperatures.
Quote from: Will_D on September 29, 2015, 09:50:17 AM
Once its started it should go outside. Cider is best fermented slowly at low temperatures.
It's steady at 20 degrees and I haven't got the brew belt turned on.
If it stays at 20 degrees would it be alight?
(http://s29.postimg.org/68oxtdl8n/Temp.jpg)
I did a hydro reading today; it was bubbling like mad until Wednesday; gone quiet since then.
It measured at 1.02ish so a bit more time until it gets down to around 1.0ish.
I tasted it from the beaker and it tasted fine, still fairly dark; I'll test again next Wednesday.