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newbie fermentation question

Barrel Char Wood Products

tgrantjr5757

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 30, 2015
3
0
0
I have a one gallon jug of mead that has been in the fermenter for one month. I noticed that it is now clearing up and on a lot of lees. I did rack it once already to get the fruit and such out. It seems it is now sitting on a lot of lees and clearing with only a bubble every few minutes if that. When would be a good time to put into bottles?

my recipe is simple
3 pounds raw honey
20 rasins
winemakers yeast and water

Edit: make that one bubble every minute. I timed it
 
Last edited:

PitBull

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 25, 2009
640
4
0
Pittsburgh, PA
Hydrometer readings are the only reliable way to determine how well the fermentation is progressing. pH reading are also a big help.
 

tgrantjr5757

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 30, 2015
3
0
0
I took a reading and the whole meter sunk. I do not think there is any more alcohol to be gained. Should i add my bentonite to finish clearing it up before i bottle it?
 

PitBull

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 25, 2009
640
4
0
Pittsburgh, PA
Make sure that you stabilize before bottling. There are MANY cases where home brewers thought they were bottling completely dry mead/wine, only to see fermentation restart in the bottle. Result: Bottle bombs, requiring the ones that did not explode to be uncorked, stabilized and re-bottled. That's a lot of added work, and danger, for the few minutes needed to stabilize the first time.
 

tgrantjr5757

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 30, 2015
3
0
0
I was thinking after letting it settle for a while before bottling. I have lost quite a bit from not knowing what im doing. Before i degas with a vac pump. Should i fill the bottom with sanitized glass marbles so my gallon jug is not under a huge amount of stress?
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

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