TC - do I need to rack off?

[Cider Rich]

Hey guys, been looking at a couple of threads here with great interest.

I've currently got a cider kit on the go (its my second ever one) but I wanna make this the last and move over to brewing nice TC once it's done.

I've had a look at several recipes (Dreakskins and others) and the one I think i will go for will be something like:
20litres of apple juice
Cider yeast
750g sugar
3-4 bramleys, blended
Mashed up 7-8 teabags

My question is - do you need to rack off at all during the fermentation process? I've seen several posts that suggest you do.

I've only got one FV bucket at the mo (dont really want to get a second one to rack off into, as I don't think my girlfriend will be too impressed if another one suddenly appears in the flat!!) so is it OK to let it brew for say 7-10 days (until SG < 1.0) and put straight into bottles and prime and cap? I use a syphon to transfer to bottles.

Rich

[trucker5774]

I can only speak for what I do...............................I bottle straight from the 1st FV.............I even add the priming sugar to the same FV stir in gently and wait an hour (just in case I disturbed anything) before bottling..............never had a problem.

Just go for it, see what works for you and get it down your neck

[Cider Rich]

Cheers John, that's what I was thinking really, just try and see how it goes! Dont really want to spend the £ on the kit if I can do without and our flat is pretty crammed as it is.

Thanks Rich

[chris_reboot]

I would either..
a) add sugar direct to bottles (1/2 teaspoon per 500ml/pint - some go more for more fizz)
b) get second FV, sugar in bottom, syphon onto sugar, then syphon/little bottler out from there to bottles.

I wouldnt disturb the sediment by adding it to the first FV, plus it wouldnt all dissolve, and you'll get yeasty crap stirred back up again.

[trucker5774]

Problem solved!!!............Just a point, I oftem find TC a little dry. I add a splash of apple juice to the glass when serving and it's transformed into a different drink

[Cider Rich]

That sounds good. Definately will add at least 1/2 teaspoon, probably a bit more when bottling to get it to sparkle nicely.

Oh one other dumb question - is One Sachet of Youngs Cider Yeast enough for 20 litres/ 40 pints?

Thanks!

[timothio]

is One Sachet of Youngs Cider Yeast enough for 20 litres/ 40 pints?

I would have thought so...

(and my own personal preference is to rack off TC a couple of times, but thats just me...)

[DREADSKIN]

i agree.
and one sachet is more than enough for 1, eeven enough for two

[trucker5774]

I should have mentioned when I add priming sugar I always disolve it in the microwave in about 200ml of water. I then add this to the FV (2nd one if you decide to get one) or by syringe to the bottles. You can also prime using some more apple juice.