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How to Carbonate Cider: Force Carbonation vs Sugar Carbonation (Which Is Better?)

Rainford's Brew Lab

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👉 Unlock 50+ Brewing Lab Sheets & Early Access: https://buymeacoffee.com/rainfordsbre...

🍏 Learn how to carbonate cider at home using two different methods — traditional sugar carbonation and modern force carbonation with CO₂!

In this cider brewing tutorial, I show you both approaches step-by-step and explain the pros and cons of each. Whether you brew cider, mead, or beer, this video will help you choose the best carbonation method for your next batch.

👇 What You’ll Learn:
• How to naturally carbonate cider with priming sugar
• How to force carbonate cider using CO₂

⚙️ Recommended For:
Homebrewers • Cider Makers • DIY Drinks Enthusiasts • Beginner Brewers

The carbonator shown in this video is available on amazon at the following link:

https://amzn.to/3WAiaLC

Please be aware that this is an affiliate link, and I will make a small commission at no extra cost to yourself should you purchase one.

How to Make Cider – Alcohol from Apple Jui...

The Co2 cartridges needed to operate this carbonator are also listed below in an affiliate link.

https://amzn.to/434QC4I

🍓 My Cider: Mixed berry cider made from blended fruit and apple juice — naturally sweet, crisp, and refreshing!

🎥 Watch Next: How To Make alcohol With 2 Ingredients

buymeacoffee.com/rainfordsbrewlab I am currently trying to purchase various equipment for The Brew Lab including a juicer, various ingredients, a dedicated camera so Im not using my phone camera and some storage and brewmania for the lab. Patreon was suggested to me by a subscriber but this seemed easier to set up and a more personal touch. Please only donate if you can afford to and you have my word it will go to supplying The Brew Lab with further projects. Thank you.

#CiderMaking #Homebrewing #Carbonation #BrewingTips #CraftCider #HowToBrew #ForceCarbonation #SugarCarbonation #DIYBrewing #HomebrewCider

20 Comments

@RainfordsBrewLab Creator 11 months ago (edited) Pinned

👉 Unlock 50+ Brewing Lab Sheets & Early Access: https://buymeacoffee.com/rainfordsbrewlab/membership

🍏 Two ways to get that perfect fizz!

⚡ Force Carbonation = fast, precise, instant results
🍾 Sugar Carbonation = traditional, natural bubbles

Which do YOU prefer for your cider or mead? Drop your answer below 👇

💬 Don’t forget to like & subscribe for more homebrew videos! #BrewItYourselfUK

Hope this recipe helps you save a few quid! 🥂

If you've enjoyed the brew and want to support the channel, you can now 'buy me a bag of sugar' over on my new page. Every £3 helps me buy the ingredients and gear for the next experiment (and helps me prep the vineyard for the 2026 harvest!):

buymeacoffee.com/rainfordsbrewlab

@JohnClarke-n6f 8 months ago

Little tip...when bottle condtioning, after adding the sugar and shaking squeeze the bottle so the liquid is right at the opening and no air inside...then screw lid back on. As the sugar is fermented the CO2 will pop the bottle out again as the pressure builds up...it is a good way to quickly see status and help max co2 content as the air is already removed

@grimsbyhackney479 10 months ago

Any chance you could film the outcome so we can see how fizzy it is?

@retired_in_thailand 6 months ago

I was hoping to see a comparison of the results... 👍

@davefairfull359 8 months ago

does that red/orange thing come with co2 dispenser ? if not can you share link please to what attachment it is please

@MikJames-d1g 4 months ago

Wow, had no idea carbonation was so easy.
Thanks!

@Mika_Stu 6 months ago

I am definitely going to get that carbonator! Where can I get the orange bottle cap adapters?

@SNOGARDNET 10 months ago

try stainless steel tyre valves fitted to the 2l pet bottle cap. you can get a co2 tyre injector. works out at £1 per cap and £5 for the inflator. i have been using them for years, just make sure you get food safe gas

@michaelmay5453 8 months ago

Awesome video, very easy to follow as always and I will be trying this... In fact I'll be trying all of your recipes at some point. Thanks for getting me back into the fun of brewing. :)

@BekDeacon 7 months ago

Is there a taste testing video of this??

@tytlersbicycle 4 months ago

Method 2 is best when you backsweeten.

@Kazaki000 6 months ago

CO2 cartridge are very expensive in my country, so yeah... I will stick with sugar 😅

@thecrumbcollective 10 months ago (edited)

Where can I get the red bottle adapter that's used with the co2 charger?

@grumpyoldgoat5945 10 months ago

Hi, could you tell me the make or drop in a link for the Force Carbonation thing you are using please? Thanks 😀

@EhsanKia-ug4or 11 months ago

What is the name of this carbonator?

@jameswhiting987 2 weeks ago

I am having real trouble carbonating. I have all the same equipment as you. I carbonate after the drinks have been in the fridge for 24 hours and shake vigorously. The C02 gets absorbed and i top up. The next day there is no fizz or bubbles to be found. What am i doing wrong?

@IvorenTheHun 3 months ago

Will that work if you use glass bottles?

@clamybob1 7 months ago

Hi, one question, when you have force carbonated, how do you get cider out of the bottle? Swap back to normal cap or a party tap? Thanks.

@BernardSmith-t8e 5 months ago

Don't you need to use screw top bottles? Don't these bottles need to be plastic? The cost of force carbonation vs the cost of adding sugar (and perhaps a smidge of yeast - depending on how long the wine or beer has been aging) would suggest to me, that I stick to sugar. But to each their own.