Hello, Gotmead? !
I have finally started making my first batch. Fermentation is going great and I'm very excited about it. Nevertheless I still have some questions. First of all here is my log:
And here we are!
Now, I'd like to know a couple of basic things.
•How much more should I aerate? First I thought aeration was only on the mead day. Afterward I started reading some responses and saw that people would encourage doing so for the first 3-4 days. When should I stop and leave it be? Which leads me to my next question.
•Readings and oxidation. When should I start to avoid exposing the must to oxygen? Because by doing readings I am necessarily opening the bucket lid and letting the must in contact with oxygen. So should I only stop doing the readings after the fermentation has ceased?
•Racking to the secondary. When should it be done? I've read on other threads and on a book lots of different things. Some say two weeks on the primary then rack. Others say they wait for the fermentation to stop and only then rack it to the secondary. So, what should I do? By the way, my primary is a fermentation bucket, not a carboy. I know that this influences the area of contact with oxygen but don't know if this is an essential fact for racking onto secondary earlier or not.
Hope I didn't sound too confusing. Anyways, it's great to be meadhing and am eager for the answers! More questions will follow, no doubt about it. I already have one about the oak cubes and sparkolloid I bought, but I'll leave that for when I'm closer to needing them. I'll make sure to ask the questions on this same thread since it's regarding this Batch and to avoid polluting the forum. Thank you all for your time, it's appreciated!
I have finally started making my first batch. Fermentation is going great and I'm very excited about it. Nevertheless I still have some questions. First of all here is my log:
Traditional Mead
Starting date: Aug. 13
Size: 6 Gal
Honey Variety: Wildflower
O.G.: 1.142
Expected F.G.: 1.000
Expected ABV: 18%
Yeast: 10g EC-1118 (no Go-Ferm used)
Honey: 23,7Lbs
Water: 4Gal
On the mead day I added 5 grams of Fermaid K and of DAP.
Around 10 hours after my must was ready, I noticed the airlock was bubbling.
Aug 14th
S.G. 1.135
Temp. 74F
Aerated twice.
Aug 15th
S.G. 1.127
Temp. 73F
Aerated once. Fed 3 grams of Fermaid K and of DAP.
And here we are!
Now, I'd like to know a couple of basic things.
•How much more should I aerate? First I thought aeration was only on the mead day. Afterward I started reading some responses and saw that people would encourage doing so for the first 3-4 days. When should I stop and leave it be? Which leads me to my next question.
•Readings and oxidation. When should I start to avoid exposing the must to oxygen? Because by doing readings I am necessarily opening the bucket lid and letting the must in contact with oxygen. So should I only stop doing the readings after the fermentation has ceased?
•Racking to the secondary. When should it be done? I've read on other threads and on a book lots of different things. Some say two weeks on the primary then rack. Others say they wait for the fermentation to stop and only then rack it to the secondary. So, what should I do? By the way, my primary is a fermentation bucket, not a carboy. I know that this influences the area of contact with oxygen but don't know if this is an essential fact for racking onto secondary earlier or not.
Hope I didn't sound too confusing. Anyways, it's great to be meadhing and am eager for the answers! More questions will follow, no doubt about it. I already have one about the oak cubes and sparkolloid I bought, but I'll leave that for when I'm closer to needing them. I'll make sure to ask the questions on this same thread since it's regarding this Batch and to avoid polluting the forum. Thank you all for your time, it's appreciated!