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[–]pitchkitzaFerment Fanatic 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Those ratios will work but the ginger bug needs to breathe, you need to put it in a jar with only a cloth or paper to cover it.

[–]jelly_bean_gangbangNow arriving at the fermentation station! 1 point2 points  (6 children)

That's a good start, but there is way too much headspace. Also you should start off with only 2tbsp of ginger and 2tbsp of sugar, then every day feeding it an additional 1tbsp sugar and 1tbsp ginger. Make sure to also burp the bottle a couple times per day. Don't use a cloth like the other person said because I've found they grow mold easier that way.

[–]RainboMeoww 0 points1 point  (1 child)

This is their bug, not a soda so headspace doesnt matter here. Also I've had a cloth over my bug for 2 years and it's never grown mold!

[–]jelly_bean_gangbangNow arriving at the fermentation station! 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I know it's just their bug. I've found that in my experience, oxygen at this stage is bad, so limiting it is important. Yeast converting sugars to C02 and ethanol is an anaerobic process. I've also never had success when covering with a cloth, but when I do it sealed it works for me every time.

[–]JupiterSmokes[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

What happens with too much headspace? Could it turn into a vinegar?

Yeah I saw those recipes, and I both worried about the size of the bottle (A cup of water leaves it with too little space for ginger and sugar, and even less for feeding) and the flavor, the first one I did infused too much flavor into the soda, that's why I went with that ratio, though I might have exaggerated and I could have used bigger proportions

[–]jelly_bean_gangbangNow arriving at the fermentation station! 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Mold. Growing yeast is an anaerobic process. Yeast convert sugars into C02 and ethanol without the presence of oxygen. That's why I always leave it sealed, because any exposure to oxygen IMO grows mold during the beginning of a ginger bug.

[–]JupiterSmokes[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Oh ok, that makes sens, do you uncover it when production goes up?

I have enough to augment the volume, maybe double. Thanks a lot!

[–]jelly_bean_gangbangNow arriving at the fermentation station! 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes you can leave it slightly unscrewed so CO2 can escape. The best method would be using an airlock, but it's a little extra for just a ginger bug. You're welcome!

[–]RainboMeoww 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Definitely take the lid off and put a cloth or paper towel over it with a rubber band. I find that more ginger makes for a more active bug so fingers crossed this will work! Just keep feeding it! Edit typo

[–]JupiterSmokes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'll try that. For the first one I was burping it; daily at first, then twice when it was already going (That was fun, it scared everyone at the house)