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Transffering mead during primary fermentation?

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WannabeViking

NewBee
Registered Member
Jul 21, 2014
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Hello everyone,

I just mixed up my first ever batch of mead two days ago. I mixed it in a plastic, one gallon water jug. I had to create my own airlock which isn't going to be effective for very long. My father who has been brewing his own beer for 20+ years loaned me a carboy and a real airlock. My question is can I transfer my must via siphon from my plastic jug to the glass carboy even though its only 2 days old? I would hate to upset the fermentation or something.

Thanks in advance!
 

danr

Got Mead? Patron
GotMead Patron
Aug 2, 2012
432
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San Diego, CA
It is generally considered fine to aerate your mead until the 1/3 sugar break (i.e. fermentation 1/3 complete). This likely has not happened yet. I would suggest that you pour your mead from the bucket into the sanitized carboy through a sanitized funnel.
 

mannye

Administrator
Administrator
Moderator
Oct 10, 2012
4,167
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Miami Beach, FL
X2. It will actually be a good thing at this point. Your fermenting mead will get a boost from the transfer.

Your father is a beer brewer and will most likely see this as insanity but you can assure him that you're doing the right thing. Just make sure you hit everything that touches the must with sanitizer first and you will be rewarded with a newly energized batch.


Sent from my galafreyan transdimensional communicator 100 years from now. G
 

danr

Got Mead? Patron
GotMead Patron
Aug 2, 2012
432
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San Diego, CA
Stir it up well and don't leave anything behind :)

Yes. I meant to mention this is why I suggested pouring the mead instead of siphoning; at this point you do not want to leave any yeast behind. Stirring the mead (with a sanitized spoon) is a great idea before you pour. Edit - in your case, shaking your plastic jug to mix/aerate the mead.

I am not sure if you have been adding any nutrients, but after you stir and pour would be a great time to add some yeast nutrients (ex. Fermaid K + DAP). If you are not familiar with this, you can search this site for yeast nutrients or Staggered Nutrient Additions (SNA).
 
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