Adventures in Homebrewland (image heavy - you have been warned!)

nopot2pin

lilbert wrote: »

Hiya, thanks for your response. My wine kit does have the finings. I was wondering if i needed to get some for the cider?

So campden tablets after complete fermentation of cider to stabilize. Thankyou!

Wine/cider/beer will clear on its own... with time.
If you dont have time, then finings will help

You can get your cider to fizz by adding a bit of sugar (approx 1/2-1 tsp)... but you need to get the right bottles ect... so that you dont create a mini exploding bomb :eek:
I have never tried it, only read about it....so it maybe worth your while having a good look around at the other sites to see what they say.
Good Luck

Memory_Girl

I want to play - I have some clean 5l white "square" bottles that used to hold various oils and eco cleaning products.

If these are well cleaned out and steralised - can I fit a bubble thingie in the top with a grommet and use them to brew with?

Would make a home brew kit pretty MSE for me - as to get anything like this will involve a 20 mile journey.

WHat do you think?

MG

Gigervamp

It depends on whether the containers are made of food safe plastic.

FLA27

Hi.

I've spotted some unused containers similar to the ones described by Memory Girl in my workplace. Although the same thought went through my head, I decided to not risk it.

It is possible to use the 5L bottled water bottles available in supermarkets. These are food grade and safe. It is worth noting, that the ridges on the sides can be difficult to clean but work well as a cheap way of experimenting before investing in the right equipment.

For me, I'm going to try making dandelion wine for the first time this year. Not sure how this one is going to turn out. I am going to have to go out and find more dandelions to pick though, that's going to get me a few strange looks from the locals.

DitaBombita

FLA27 wrote: »

Hi.


For me, I'm going to try making dandelion wine for the first time this year. Not sure how this one is going to turn out. I am going to have to go out and find more dandelions to pick though, that's going to get me a few strange looks from the locals.

Oh I am pleased this thread has been rejuvinated! Im going to do Dandelion wine today too. I think the traditional picking day was yesterday (St Georges) im sure it wont matter though. What recipe are you using? Loads of them round here in West Yorks so shouldnt take long to collect at all.

FLA27

DitaBombita wrote: »

Oh I am pleased this thread has been rejuvinated! Im going to do Dandelion wine today too. I think the traditional picking day was yesterday (St Georges) im sure it wont matter though. What recipe are you using? Loads of them round here in West Yorks so shouldnt take long to collect at all.

I am using C J J Berry's recipe, this mentions the St. George's Day tradition so I picked a few yesterday and got them started just for good luck (I'm not superstitious or anything!) and I will go hunting for the rest today. The local council mow the grass all the time here, so the best crops are gone and i don't want to pick them from the side of the roads. I did spot some yesterday, I am waiting for the sun to come out properly and I will go out picking.

Good luck with your wine making.

Memory_Girl

I'm guessing that because some of the containers used to contain olive oil - and the others have exactly the same markings on the bottom thatthey might be ok?

No 5l bottles available in either LIDLs or Tescos here I'm afraid.

MG

FLA27

Well, in my opinion, if the containers used to contain food products, I would go for it. I am pretty sure if the containers are not suitable, you will know by the taste of your brew. If it tastes chemically or just plain horrible you might have to have a rethink. Someone else might say otherwise but I would say go on instinct!

nopot2pin

I have used supermarket 5L water bottles to ferment in before now, and they work just fine.
I would not use anything that had any sort of cleaning product in though... the chances are its not food grade plastic, and not worth it in my opinion.

thunderchild

Does anyone have a ginger beer recipe? Like Crabbies?

This weekend I will be brewing the cider up and some ginger beer if I get a recipe. First time brewer! YAY!!!!