Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Homebrew => Topic started by: fallen angel on August 17, 2015, 14:36

Title: Frozen rhubarb and rubber bungs!
Post by: fallen angel on August 17, 2015, 14:36

Ok today I bought 3 brown demijohns with bungs and airlocks for £10 normally I get them from freecycle but needed brown ones and thought they were a bargain  :D my question is the bungs are showing signs of age and are cracking can they still be used or do I need to order new ones? I ask because I am desperate to start my rhubarb wine but can't buy bungs at the moment because my silly new bank card doesn't work so am waiting for a new one!

2nd question is my rhubarb is frozen do I thaw it out in the fermenter and then add the boiling water or can I add the boiling water to it while it is frozen? I am sure I will have to thaw it out but thought I may as well ask  :D

Many thanks.

Title: Re: Frozen rhubarb and rubber bungs!
Post by: Auntiemogs on August 17, 2015, 17:16

I would think that as long as they're well sterilised, they'll be fine until you can buy some new ones.  :)

I'm not sure what recipe you're using, but I just bunged my frozen rhubarb in with the sugar, and gave it a stir every day for a few days to bring out the juices before adding the water.  I'm sure I read somewhere that boiling water can cause a problem with the oxalic acid in the rhubarb (or summat) but I'm not sure what it was...

Title: Re: Frozen rhubarb and rubber bungs!
Post by: fallen angel on August 17, 2015, 17:29

Thanks I am going to use this one  :D

http://bensadventuresinwinemaking.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/rhubarb-wine-2015-making-of.html

Title: Re: Frozen rhubarb and rubber bungs!
Post by: grinling on August 17, 2015, 22:32

how old is the rhubarb as the older it is the harder it is to make wine.I use the first picking.
You don't need to use dark demi johns,I use the brown ones for elderberry,or wrap the bottle in brown wrapping paper.

Tesco also does homebrew  2 airlocks £2.36

Title: Re: Frozen rhubarb and rubber bungs!
Post by: fallen angel on August 18, 2015, 00:30

The rhubarb was picked and frozen in late may I think. The tesco near me doesn't stock homebrew and I don't do internet food shopping. I was advised to use brown demijohns or to wrap foil around clear ones as the rhubarb looses it's colour?

Title: Re: Frozen rhubarb and rubber bungs!
Post by: Baldy on August 18, 2015, 14:55

You could put some cling film round the bung or a smear of vaseline maybe...

Pip pip,
Balders

Title: Re: Frozen rhubarb and rubber bungs!
Post by: grinling on August 18, 2015, 23:19

Tesco doesn't stock homebrew, but you can order in store for free store delivery or online  for free store delivery.. Our rhurbarb hasn't lost it's colour after 2 years.