This is probably one of the easiest things to make from scratch, if I could do it, you can too! Even my Gramma Anne was impressed that I could make my own vinegar, and when I told her how it's done she couldn't believe how simple it was.
I still have 4 Litres left over from last year's batch which will probably last me until December, right when this new batch I started today is ready. I use ACV for all sorts of things, from my bun recipe, to cleaning, and it has removed warts off of our two youngest sons' fingers! That's right, all you do is dab a bit of ACV on a bandaid, and have them wear it for 24 hours on the wart, then wash and wear a bandaid with vitamin e oil for the next 24. Keep repeating until it's gone.
Step 1: Get Some Apples
Or get your kids to or whatnot...
I make ACV in the fall because we are blessed to have 11 apple trees on the land we rent. They're not the greatest for eating, very tart and the bugs get em a lot, but they are great for this purpose! (And I've been known to make an apple crisp or 15 with them too...) You don't have to use whole apples if they're not in abundance where you live. You can make ACV with apple peels and cores. I'll leave a link at the end where it will explain how.
Step 2: Wash The Apples
I actually let mine soak in the sink for 10 minutes with water and 1 Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar hahahaha...
Step 3: Cut The Apples
You want your pieces to be about 1 inch cubes. It's better to have bigger cubes than smaller.
Step 4: Fill Your Clean, Food Safe Container
How much ACV you want will dictate the type of container you use. I make enough to last our family one year, so I use a 5 gallon bucket (the kind you would brew wine or beer in).
Stems, seeds, it don't matter, it all goes in!
Step 5: Add Water To Your Apples
Submerge the apples until the water is Just over the apples when you press them down.
Step 6: Add Sugar
Recipe: One cup of sugar to One gallon of apple/water mixture. I had 3 gallons so I put in 3 cups of sugar.
Add sugar slowly and stir well until all sugar is dissolved.
Step 7: Cover With Something Breathable
Step 8: Stir 2 Times Per Day, For 14 Days
A video I made last year showing these first steps.
The Last Step: Patience & Time
After the 14 days of stirring twice a day, all you do is strain the mixture into another container, or many smaller containers, cover with a breathable material, and wait. It takes me about 3 months until it turns to vinegar. I've read that if you use scraps, your ACV can be ready within a month after the transfer.
This is my third year making my own apple cider vinegar, I originally learned how from this recipe, it also explains how to make ACV from apple scraps READ >>> How To Make Your Own Apple Cider Vinegar
Here's Hive account@eddiebowes dabbing with a chicken. Why you ask? You should really be asking...
Why Not?
I Started Up This Year's Apple Cider Vinegar Today!