I started my first ever batch a few days ago. I'm using an Orchard Breezin kit & trying to follow instructions with it, which basically implies to leave it alone in the primary fermenter or 14 days. I read that it needs oxygen to start, though, so I loosened the lib on the fermenter (it doesn't have an air lock hole)& stirred it up a couple of times. The last couple of days I've noticed barely any bubbles & since it's a bit cool in the room it's in (about 20C), I was concerned it wasn't warm enough. I decided today to check the temperature & figured while I was at it, I'd check the SG too.
It's around 19C, but the SG is about (I don't have a wine thief, so I sanitized the thermometer & hydrometer & just them in the fermenter, so my numbers on the SG are just approx) 1.000 already. It's only been 7 days since I started it. The kit says that about 14 days, when it's at 0.998 or lower to rack it to a carboy & add a bunch of other things to it, the degas & let stand until day 28 day.
Should I be racking it tomorrow (or even today) since the SG is at/about where they suggest it should be? Should I leave it to day 28 once I do it, or subtract how many days short of the 14 I am?
Also, and this is the main reason I wanted to post here; when I looked at my wine, there were tiny white bit at the top. I'm a little concerned. I took a picture, which I apparently can't post a link to yet. I sanitized a spoon & skimmed it off, but I'm a little worried that it means something's going wrong with the wine.
I'd be grateful for any help anyone can give me. Thanks! I sanitized a spoon & skimmed it off, but I'm a little worried that it means something's going wrong with the wine.
I'd be grateful for any help anyone can give me. Thanks!
It's around 19C, but the SG is about (I don't have a wine thief, so I sanitized the thermometer & hydrometer & just them in the fermenter, so my numbers on the SG are just approx) 1.000 already. It's only been 7 days since I started it. The kit says that about 14 days, when it's at 0.998 or lower to rack it to a carboy & add a bunch of other things to it, the degas & let stand until day 28 day.
Should I be racking it tomorrow (or even today) since the SG is at/about where they suggest it should be? Should I leave it to day 28 once I do it, or subtract how many days short of the 14 I am?
Also, and this is the main reason I wanted to post here; when I looked at my wine, there were tiny white bit at the top. I'm a little concerned. I took a picture, which I apparently can't post a link to yet. I sanitized a spoon & skimmed it off, but I'm a little worried that it means something's going wrong with the wine.
I'd be grateful for any help anyone can give me. Thanks! I sanitized a spoon & skimmed it off, but I'm a little worried that it means something's going wrong with the wine.
I'd be grateful for any help anyone can give me. Thanks!
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