I don't make kits unless I get a premium kit on sale, and I thought I'd give this a try. $30 instead of $69 isn't bad... right?
The guy selling it said the yeast was likely expired, and that I should use my own. So I hydrated some EC-1118, and added it to the undiluted must as per directions. 24 hours later - no sign of fermentation. Weird... pH in the must is 3.3, TA is close to 60.
I took a SG reading... and OMG! SG was 1.140! So, perhaps this was a factory error and I diluted it to 1.110. Then I immediately started a starter with another packet of EC-1118 in diluted must and poured this very active concoction in after 12 hours. Over 12 hours later? NOTHING!
So I decided to dilute the must more... down to 1.100 and just poured the original packet of yeast on top. It's not doing anything. In fact, the yeast just sunk to the bottom after an hour or so. That kinda sucks.
I've got three fresh juices on order to pick up tomorrow, so if this kit doesn't start by morning I'm throwing it out and freeing up a carboy for a fourth juice to be decided.
The guy selling it said the yeast was likely expired, and that I should use my own. So I hydrated some EC-1118, and added it to the undiluted must as per directions. 24 hours later - no sign of fermentation. Weird... pH in the must is 3.3, TA is close to 60.
I took a SG reading... and OMG! SG was 1.140! So, perhaps this was a factory error and I diluted it to 1.110. Then I immediately started a starter with another packet of EC-1118 in diluted must and poured this very active concoction in after 12 hours. Over 12 hours later? NOTHING!
So I decided to dilute the must more... down to 1.100 and just poured the original packet of yeast on top. It's not doing anything. In fact, the yeast just sunk to the bottom after an hour or so. That kinda sucks.
I've got three fresh juices on order to pick up tomorrow, so if this kit doesn't start by morning I'm throwing it out and freeing up a carboy for a fourth juice to be decided.