Grandma's Apple Jack

[derien]

I've got some hard cider in the fridge which has gotten really kickass in the past week, and it's inspired me.  I'm going to attempt to make apple jack the way my grandmother actually instructed me: A handful of raisins, two or three cinnamon sticks, a few cloves, and a shot of rum to get it started in the right direction, then stick it behind the woodstove for a week or two.  Only, I don't have a woodstove so I've put it in the oven - it's a gas oven, so the pilot light keeps it warm.  I just have to remember to not turn on the oven without taking the cider out, first, as it's a plastic jug. 

Now, my question for all you bright people out there:  How do I stop the fermentation process when I judge it 'done'?  Or do I not get that option?  Does it just go until it feels like being done?

Comments

[derien.livejournal.com]

It had crossed my mind that if it came out good I might try to bottle some and send it to my brother (in Seattle), but if it's going to continue to ferment and blow up on the mail, that would be a bad idea.