Orange must

[Jonsmith8608]

Can there be to much sugar in a mash? I am going to do a orange must and wasn't sure if I should add sugar. I'm doing a 5 gallon must and have about 80 large oranges

[Demy]

Of course, if you overdo it with sugar you will have disadvantages especially for yeast. In your specific case, I would try to limit or eliminate sugar in the recipe not only for the problems already mentioned but because you get more flavor overall. For oranges, if you don't want any trouble you have to correct the pH because it is generally a very acid fruit.

[v-child]

OG and ph. I doubt, unless your oranges are extraordinarily sweet that the OG will be very high. The acidity will make the ph very low. Good luck.

[Jonsmith8608]

Ok I am making the must this weekend thanks for the advice

[Jonsmith8608]

What ph do I need to keep it at

[v-child]

Ph is yeast dependent, I usually keep mine around five. Do your research.

[Demy]

What ph do I need to keep it at

4.5 - 5.5 will be fine.

[v-child]

Good luck, keep us informed brother.

[Durhommer]

Wonder how this will go

[SpeakEasy]

I'm going to be watching this thread for updates.

[Demy]

I have done this in the past and a great product came out, I think it will be good for other people too.

[Jonsmith8608]

Mshing In tomorrow I will keep everyone updated how often should I check the ph

[wpkluck]

I’m wondering if it might work to adjust the pH first, with oyster shell, which might take a few days, before adding sugar to get the right OG. Then pitch the yeast and nutrients. An interesting puzzle!

[NZChris]

I’m wondering if it might work to adjust the pH first, with oyster shell, which might take a few days, before adding sugar to get the right OG. Then pitch the yeast and nutrients. An interesting puzzle!

Slaked lime is much better than CaCO3 for adjusting pH. No puzzle, no waiting for days.

[wpkluck]

Wonder how this will go

Me too! Citrus is a great flavor for whiskey!

[Demy]

Wonder how this will go

Me too! Citrus is a great flavor for whiskey!

ummmmh if you distill citrus you don't get whiskey but "Aqua vitae" in this case of oranges.

[wpkluck]

Wonder how this will go

Me too! Citrus is a great flavor for whiskey!

ummmmh if you distill citrus you don't get whiskey but "Aqua vitae" in this case of oranges.

I stand corrected. Thanks! I’m going to make this my next project.

[Jonsmith8608]

Ok had about 1.5 gallon juice and added 6 fruit cups of mandarin oranges with 4.5 gallons of water ph was 3.2 I added baking soda now ph is at 6.2 I pitched it with ec-1118 yeast so let's see how it goes

[Demy]

Ok had about 1.5 gallon juice and added 6 fruit cups of mandarin oranges with 4.5 gallons of water ph was 3.2 I added baking soda now ph is at 6.2 I pitched it with ec-1118 yeast so let's see how it goes

Keep us updated, you will see that it will work. 4.5 gal is the final quantity? What was the O.G.?

[Jonsmith8608]

Ok had about 1.5 gallon juice and added 6 fruit cups of mandarin oranges with 4.5 gallons of water ph was 3.2 I added baking soda now ph is at 6.2 I pitched it with ec-1118 yeast so let's see how it goes

Keep us updated, you will see that it will work. 4.5 gal is the final quantity? What was the O.G.?

There was about 1.5 gallons of og and 4.5 of water

[wpkluck]

[Durhommer]

Hes had five days ferment time from the op so wonder what's going on with it....

[Jonsmith8608]

Hes had five days ferment time from the op so wonder what's going on with it....

I just did it yesterday

[Jonsmith8608]

???

[Jonsmith8608]

Ok had about 1.5 gallon juice and added 6 fruit cups of mandarin oranges with 4.5 gallons of water ph was 3.2 I added baking soda now ph is at 6.2 I pitched it with ec-1118 yeast so let's see how it goes

Keep us updated, you will see that it will work. 4.5 gal is the final quantity? What was the O.G.?

There was about 1.5 gallons of og and 4.5 of water

I read this wrong what is og?

[Demy]

Ok had about 1.5 gallon juice and added 6 fruit cups of mandarin oranges with 4.5 gallons of water ph was 3.2 I added baking soda now ph is at 6.2 I pitched it with ec-1118 yeast so let's see how it goes

Keep us updated, you will see that it will work. 4.5 gal is the final quantity? What was the O.G.?

There was about 1.5 gallons of og and 4.5 of water

I read this wrong what is og?

O.G. = Original gravity, my fault, I made an abbreviation "too hasty".

[Durhommer]

Hes had five days ferment time from the op so wonder what's going on with it....

I just did it yesterday

Oh ok thought you did it already

[Jonsmith8608]

Keep us updated, you will see that it will work. 4.5 gal is the final quantity? What was the O.G.?

There was about 1.5 gallons of og and 4.5 of water

I read this wrong what is og?

O.G. = Original gravity, my fault, I made an abbreviation "too hasty".

I'm not sure I just tested the ph I'm still kinda new to this

[Demy]

There was about 1.5 gallons of og and 4.5 of water

I read this wrong what is og?

O.G. = Original gravity, my fault, I made an abbreviation "too hasty".

I'm not sure I just tested the ph I'm still kinda new to this

A bit of clarity .... o.g. It is a measure that tells you how much sugars you have in your juice and therefore the alcohol potential. It has nothing to do with the pH. To measure O.G. Densimeters or refractometer are generally used.

[Yummyrum]

???

Probably querying this

There was about 1.5 gallons of og and 4.5 of water

I think its a Typo and 1.5 gallons of OJ ( orange Juice ) was meant. Hence the following confusion and explanation of what OG stands for .

Nice pickup wpkluck .

Incidentally , I used to make a lot of Orange wine years ago . Something like juice of 12 oranges , 1kg sugar topped up to 5 liters of water . Wine yeast nuetrient and EC 1118.

No pH buggering around needed . It just fermented fine and made a really dry orange wine .