Hi all - long time lurker, first time posting. That said, if this is in the wrong place, please let me know how to fix that.
So - here’s the set up - I started a cider brew on Wednesday evening 10/10:
I Used 5 gallons of minimally pasteurized apple juice from Costco. Only ingredient on the official ingredient list was ‘apple juice’ and a portion of the label listed no preservatives added.
-Added 1 gallon of the apple juice to the primary container. (6.5G Big mouth bubbler)
-Dissolved 2.5 tsp pectic enzyme and 5tsp yeast nutrient in a 1/2 c water, stirred until dissolved, and added to the primary fermenter. Amounts of the enzyme and nutrient were according to package ingredients.
-Added the remaining 4 gallons of juice, I poured from between chest and shoulder height - to mix in the pectic/nutrient mixture and agitate and aerate the juice-it was foamy with a good amount of bubbles on the surface of the juice… about 1 inch off the surface of the juice but fell back quickly into the juice.
-I took temp and hydrometer readings. 55 degrees F, 1.040 SG. I pitched yeast at above readings, sprinkled right onto surface of the juice - Safale S-04.
24H since start - 1.040 SG reading (same as start) / 65 Degrees F (ambient temp)
36H since start - 1.040 SG reading (same as start) /69 Degrees F (ambient temp) - pitched another package of Safale S-04. sprinkled onto surface. Stirred mildly with big spoon, hoping to aerate.
60H since start (this morning) - 1.040 SG (maybe even a hair higher - reading error?) / 68 Degrees F (ambient temp). Grabbed my power drill and wine degasser and splashed the crap out of the juice for 2 min. again, hoping O2 will solve the issue.
As of this evening, still no notable activity in the airlock - a few minor fluctuations but i assume that’s on temperature fluctuations and thermal expansion/contractions.
a few additional notes - i skipped use of any campden tabs or stabalizers, as i used pasteurized juice. I’ve not seen any issues with airtight seals on this vessel in the past - but i cant discount it, but the hydrometer readings are informative… somethings not right.
I’ve done a few kit wines and beers, but this is my first brew outside of kitted items. let me know if i’m doing things in the wrong order.
And so, i appeal to the great internet hivebrain. Any thoughts on how I can fix this and get it fermenting? how long can I let this thing sit, considering spoilage?
Thanks in advance