Lavlin EC-1118

[Estonia]

Hey everyone!
I have a question about the aforementioned yeast, Lavlin EC-1118.
They are sold as 5g packets (0.176 oz I think). How much water should there be for this to work effeciently?
You guys here all seem to favour this yeast, but I don't see much recipes with information on the water amount.
I work with 25-30L (about 7 gallons) batches, so is a single packet dumped in there (or activated first?) enough?
Also, how much sugar should I add, as in how much will it tolerate?
Regarding nutrients.. I still haven't quite grasped the concept of them. Are they really that important?
If so, what household-kind-of nutrient should I add, considering that special nutrient agents really aren't sold that widely here?
I read somewhere that tomato paste or something like that would work well, is that true?

[Galeoturpis]

Tricky question because you haven't mentioned what you are actually fermenting. An ideal ferment will produce 2-3 g/l of dried yeast(50-75g for 25l or 60-90g for 30l). Initial pitching rate needs to be over 4% of the expected final amount or you will get a stuck fermentation so 5g is enough for 25 l but possibly not 30l(as some of the yeast may be dead). Yeast needs Nitrogen (FAN > 150 mg/ml), potassium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, biotin, folate, inositol, thiamine, pantothenate, Niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, yeast hulls and citrate buffer for a start. Grain has most most of this stuff. Sugar and honey don't. Buy a yeast nutrient and follow the instructions (but some commercial nutrients like Fermaid give instructions for wine which already has most of the nutrients.) A few hours reading will save you days of waiting for your ferment to finish if you don't put enough nutrient in (but if you put too much in, it will taste awful.)

[shadylane]

One 5g packet is good for 5 gallons. There's instructions on the packet for rehydrating before pitching.
Between 1 and 2 pounds of sugar per gallon is the norm, I'd recommend 1-1/4 pounds per gallon.
Nutrients are very important. Common household food such as wheat germ, cereal and tomato paste can be used.
Non food items such as miracle grow fertilizer and Epsom salts in very, small amounts also will feed the yeast.
Posting while Galeoturpis was.

[T-Pee]

I use one packet per 4 gallons of apple juice and it works just fine.

tp

[S-Cackalacky]

Take a look at the "Tried and True Recipes" section of the forums. The recipes there have everything you need for a successful ferment. EC-1118 is a popular yeast, but be aware that it likes the temps a little cooler than some other yeasts (like bakers yeast). You can learn a lot about fermentation just by using the recipes in the T&T section. Run some of those for awhile and learn from them before venturing off on your own.

[cranky]

What they said. One pack of 1118 is good for up to 5 gallons of wash so 7 gallons would require 2 packs. as fat as potential alcohol tolerance I think lalvin says 18% potential but I wouldn't recommend pushing it that high although on a plum wine I hit 21% but it tasted awful. Stick with 12% or less, you will get better final results.