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Hey all, new member here and a newbie cider-maker.

I've read a bunch of threads on stuck cider fermentations at the HomebrewTalk Forum so I think I know where I went wrong. I'd still appreciate some local info though, as maybe some of you have experience with the Boates juice before? Detailed info below.

I started these 2 initial batches pretty cold so the EC1118 is doing fine but the Safale S-04 batch never started up, not 1 bubble (although the SG has dropped slightly?). Safale suggests 15 C which I didn't realize when I pitched. 1 week after pitching, the juice is warmer now 14 C (57.2F)

Should I wait a bit longer and/or pitch some nutrients before I rack it and re-pitch with EC1118? The initial SG of this juice was a little under the recommended 1.045 minimum, could that be the issue as well?

Thanks in advance!

Batch 1 - Fermenting Fine
23 litres Organic apple/pear blend, UV Pasteurized
Temp: Initial - 9 C, 1 week in - 14 C
PH: 3.4
SG: Initial - 1.046, 1 week in - 1.035
Vineco Pectic Enzyme: 1.5 tsp
Potassium Metabisulphite: 39ml %5 solution
Yeast: Lalvin EC-1118, 5 grams, re-hydrated in warm water for 15 minutes

Batch 2 - Stuck/Never Started?
23 litres Organic Apple, UV Pasteurized
Temp: Initial - 9 C, 1 week in - 14 C
PH: 3.4
SG: Initial - 1.044, 1 week in 1.041
Vineco Pectic Enzyme: 1.5 tsp
Potassium Metabisulphite: 39ml %5 solution
Yeast: Safale S-04, 11.5 grams, re-hydrated in warm water for 15 minutes

I'm not too familiar with making cider, but I'm wondering if stirring up the yeast would help get it started?

And welcome

yeah stirring the yeast back inIto solution and maybe warming it another degree or two may help.

I would warm that yeast up and stir it back into suspension as the boys mentioned, I would bet that will do the trick.

Wow, thanks for the responses guys!

I'll try warming up and stirring today. I also picked up some yeast energizer from Maritime U-Brew so I might give that a shot. The lady at the store there seemed to think that 1 week may be too long to have been sitting so I may need to rack and re-pitch.

Cheers!

R

I wouldn't waste time or money on racking and re-pitching just yet, unless you froze the yeast. I've had yeast in the fridge for over a year and it was still good one it warmed up. Get it warmed up, take a gravity reading, wait a few days then take another gravity reading to see if its doing anything.

Cool, I'll do what I can to revive this and avoid re-pitching! She's stirred up, energized and sitting by a radiator now (the cider that is!)

Thanks again!

R

I've made a couple of batches of cider. If things haven't started up with your second batch after a few days I'd pitch something else. I've had good luck with EC 1118, K1v 1116 and 71B. The 71B gives some nice ester complexity when fermented at lower temps ~15C, but it will chew up some of the malic acid.

Thanks again all for your responses. After a few days, I thought she was done and wouldn't start up....but....

I got home the other night to an airlock full o' cider! I cleaned it up and she's bubbling away now, happy and healthy. Smells really good.

R

Nice!