How quickly does yeast produce alcohol?

Question

using a small gallon cider batch with added sugars and regular bakers yeast.

Answer 1

To actually make alcohol, almost immediately. To convert the majority of the sugars (naturally occurring or added) into alcohol, that would depend on the amount of yeast, but in general, about a week. To convert all the sugars and to leave behind a decent tasting cider, over a month.
If you use baking yeast, you're going to get alcohol, but it'll taste like monkey butt. If you use beer, wine, or cider yeast, (each one's a little different) then you'll get a much better, more drinkable result. If you could care less about the taste and just wanna get hammered, have fun with what you've got...it'll get the job done.

Answer 2

I would stay away from baker's yeast, it's really cultivated for bread making. If you want to add yeast to cider, you really need one that has been cultivated for fermentation -- brewer's yeast or wine yeast.

I also wouldn't add any sugar to your cider. There is more than enough sugar present in the cider to make alcohol with. Adding sugar will change the character and taste of your finished product.

In unfiltered apple cider, there is usually enough natural occuring wild yeast to being the fermentation process. You can just put the cider in the fridge and let the yeasts do their thing. In a week or so, you'll have hard cider. One of the things you might to do is put a gas trap on the jug you're using as a fermenter to let the CO2 gas escape during the fermentation process.

If you want a slightly more refined produce, filter your cider, and then add your yeast. Again you'll want some kind of gas trap to allow the CO2 to escape during fermentation.

I would suggest you find a local homebrewing/wine making shop. They will give you all the help, supplies, and equipment you need to make some knock out hard cider.

Answer 3

The process should start right away;-} you can tell,
because it also produces carbon dioxide.
If you have an air-trap, you'll see bubbles.

Answer 4

stop sitting at home trying to make a drink out of a loaf of bread and take your *** to the liquor store.