Didn't Add Enough Sugar To Wilkos Forest Fruit Cider

[SleepyLee]

Hi guys. I started fermenting a forest fruit cider from Wilkos last Saturday 15-02-14. Yesterday I realised I didn't add enough sugar to it as I only added 1kg when the instructions said add 1.5kg, so I opened it up and added a further 0.5kg. (It was still bubbling away nicely before I added extra sugar and it's bubbling nicely today 24-02-14).
Now my dilemma is have I made a mistake and botched it up by adding the extra sugar so late on in the first fermentation? Also how long now should I leave it in the first stage? Thanks in advance.

[jmc]

I wouldn't worry. Its still early days so adding part of sugar while its still fermenting well should be no problem at all.
It may take a bit longer to finish but that's all.

In answer to how long will it take, then you need to know when fermentation has finished and best tool for that is a hydrometer.

[SleepyLee]

Thanks jmc that's put my mind at rest haha. I'll get a hydormeter next time I'm in town. I did look at one of them but I thought they where just for getting the % of alcohol so didn't bother getting it. Newbie error I think haha.

[CJR]

For kits, the ABV shouldn't really be a problem. It's one of those things where if you use the correct amount of ingredients (sugar & water) then you don't really need a hydrometer. By my recollection you should be looking at approximately 5%. I don't bother with a hydro for kit brews, only recipes. You'll be absolutely fine.

[jmc]

For kits, the ABV shouldn't really be a problem. It's one of those things where if you use the correct amount of ingredients (sugar & water) then you don't really need a hydrometer. By my recollection you should be looking at approximately 5%. I don't bother with a hydro for kit brews, only recipes. You'll be absolutely fine.

I didn't mean use hydromrter to calc %ABV. That's handy but main use is to check the FG so you know fermentation is finished and its safe to bottle / keg.

[CJR]

That's what we do at work with a finishing hydrometer. At home I wait until the airlock stops bubbling if I'm just doing a basic kit brew but I'm do more readings on my AG and cider brews.