Quick Question

[chrismccull]

I bought a sparkling Pear Cider kit from NG and the instructions state that the cider needs to be racked from primary to secondary after 3-5 days.  They claim that 'neglecting to do so can be hazardous to the cider'.  Why would this be hazardous?  My understanding was that racking from primary to secondary was to aid in clearing the product.

[fakr]

That's a good question.  What kind of yeast came with the kit?

[chrismccull]

I don't remember much info on the packet, no brand listed or other info

[Chris Craig]

My guess is that they want some active fermentation still going on when you rack.  That way the headspace on the carboy would fill with CO2 again.

[chrismccull]

What would that do?

[fakr]

[attachment=0:2sjx1bbc]Capture.JPG[/attachment:2sjx1bbc]
it's a mangrove jack's cider right?  I looked it up and found this "new" instruction when making their cider:

"Typo on Instructions 6. and 7. on pouch. This should read: Leave to ferment for 10 days. Bottle IMMEDIATELY provided airlock has stopped bubbling and S.G. is correct as per instruction 7."

Found it here:  
http://www.onestopbarshop.com.au/beer-kitconcentrate-ingredients/2599-mangrove-jack-s-british-series-pear-cider-pouch-24kg-9421004737739.html

10 days sounds a lot better.

[chrismccull]

That's it, but NG provided their own instructions telling you not to use the ones on the pouch.   That is where I read the instruction to rack at 3-5 days otherwise it will be hazardous to the cider.  These instructions state that you need to bottle after 7-10 days.

[Chris Craig]

What would that do?

Keep air away from the cider if you're going to age it in the carboy for a while.

[fakr]

That's very odd instructions....

I can just imagine bottling cider that isn't quite finished fermenting...with an addition of priming sugar....could be hard to keep your ceiling clean with that combination.

I'd ask NG why the change in the instructions.  if they can't give you an answer that makes any sense, I'd stick with what you know, according to your equipment, fermentation temps, etc.

[chrismccull]

I'm going to rack it tonight, day 6, and keg it on day 14.  It should be fine.

[Jake]

Yea NG's instructions always say that for some reason. From recent experience helping a friend with a festabrew kit, the instructions said to rack after a couple days, or it would be hazardous to the product, etc.

The cream ale festabrew kit was using SO5 ... I don't know about you guys, but I've never racked after a couple days with this yeast. Its bogus, ignore it

[chrismccull]

Thanks for the help Gents.

[Richard]

+1 on what Jake said. Most brew kits have iffy instructions involving secondary fermentation - I heard one theory that it's to reduce the pipeline latency (i.e. the time after starting a kit that you could start another one) by splitting the workload over two vessels. i.e. it's in the kit makers' interest to give those instructions. Seems rather insidious to threaten failure if the instructions aren't followed

[HappyHax0r]

hmmm... pear cider huh... eeenteresting XD

[Chris Craig]

I'm pretty sure that'd be a Perry