Blackberries

[Mcamnl]

I now have 35lbs of blackberries sitting in my freezer.
I am going to use the recipe that was posted here. One pound short.
I have seen a couple of different comments on using one or two primary buckets. The recipe only mentions the 7.9 gallon primary. What are peoples experiences with this? 35lbs of berries looks like a lot. Maybe after they thaw they will all fit my primary?
If I need to go with two primaries I will basically just be making 2 - 3 gallon batches and putting them together when they go to secondary. Correct thinking?

 

[closetwine]

If I need to go with two primaries I will basically just be making 2 - 3 gallon batches and putting them together when they go to secondary. Correct thinking?

I dunno on the rest I don't do batches that big. But you're right on this! Helps keep you from getting overflow in the primary.

 

[DasK]

That's what I'm doing for my next batch. On my first 6.5 gallon batch, I made the mistake of having my primary too small. It's worked out in the end, but for my next batch I'll get two 5 gallon buckets and primary ferment separately, then combine in my 6.5 gallon for secondary.

 

[DasK]

Oh, and closetwine, I don't think your signature's analogy works for me. My wife looks pretty damn good in pj's and a pony tail too.

 

[jtstar]

I now have 35lbs of blackberries sitting in my freezer.
I am going to use the recipe that was posted here. One pound short.
I have seen a couple of different comments on using one or two primary buckets. The recipe only mentions the 7.9 gallon primary. What are peoples experiences with this? 35lbs of berries looks like a lot. Maybe after they thaw they will all fit my primary?
If I need to go with two primaries I will basically just be making 2 - 3 gallon batches and putting them together when they go to secondary. Correct thinking?

I don't see where you tell us how big your primary is could you let us know this information. Yes you could devide it into two batches if you have to. I use a ten gallon tub that I brought at Menards for five dollars as my primary

 

[closetwine]

Oh, and closetwine, I don't think your signature's analogy works for me. My wife looks pretty damn good in pj's and a pony tail too.

LOL! I live in pj's... But when we go out, I try to dress up...

Pj's can be cute... but Heels and a nice fitting dress would probably looks better...

 

[Tom]

You cant fit all those berries in a regular fermenting bucket OR a 7.9 gal one.

Split it up as if you were making 2 3gallon batches for the primary. Then combine it in the secondary.

Put the berries in a straining bucket

 

[Mcamnl]

I don't see where you tell us how big your primary is could you let us know this information. Yes you could devide it into two batches if you have to. I use a ten gallon tub that I brought at Menards for five dollars as my primary

My primary is 7.9 gallons.

 

[Tom]

My primary is 7.9 gallons.

Not big enough

 

[Mcamnl]

I still have the buckets that my syrah and cab sav juice came in. I will divide things up and get two 3 gallon batches going.

 

[Tom]

I still have the buckets that my syrah and cab sav juice came in. I will divide things up and get two 3 gallon batches going.

Remember to save some for a f-pac.

Gravity no higher than 1.085

 

[roadwarriorsvt]

Another vote for splitting the primary into two smaller ones. I had that exact problem with my blackberry as well.

 

[mmadmikes1]

I have never had a problem doing a 6 gallon batch in an 7.9 gallon primary. Your not short berries, 35 pounds is fine for 6 gallons, but more would be good heheheheheh 35 pounds of blackberries fills a 5 gallon bucket . If they are frozen they will shrink down fast as they thaw

 

[Tom]

True but,
35#'s of berries and 6 gal of water + fermenting will not fit in a 7.9 bucket

 

[mmadmikes1]

No, Tom, 35 pounbds and add water to 6 gallon line

 

[Tom]

NO I would add 5 gallons of water and then add 35#'s

That many berries will displace 2+ #'s

 

[mmadmikes1]

now you know why I said he had enough berries.

 

[homer]

"Put the berries in a straining bucket"

Tom, how does this work? don't you just throw them in the primary and start that way? bk

 

[Tom]

get 5 gal paint straining bags at the BOX stores. Much easier to punchdown and remove.

 

[WineYooper]

The last batch I did with blackberries had 34# and I put all together in a 10 gal primary. I would probably split into two primaries if you don't have a ten gal. I used 4 gals. of water with mine and ended with almost 8 gals of juice transferred to secondary when done fermenting. I'm finding that when I use this amount of berries or over 30 pounds in does not fit in my 7.9 primary so opted to get a 10 gal. and usually end with over 6 gals which I like because I have plenty of like wine to top off down the road when racking. This is my second batch of blackberry and from sample tasting I find this is much tastier than the first batch I did when I started, used the recipe from the winemakers recipe handbook which called for 4# per gallon. The first batch is very good but IMO seems a little thin so the larger ppg should improve it. Good luck, you will like the results.