Anyone got a Rumtopf?

[WrexTheDragon]

Used to love space hoppers but never called them anything but space hoppers! Remember clackers now but think we called them something else. Ah, childhood memories and probably things not to be combined with the contents of my rumtopf!

Knucklebreakers??

[bluemoon]

They tried to ban clackers because everyone got hurt who used them.

Leathal........

This fad happened when I was nine or ten. Mine eventually flew out of my hand and landed beyond reach. If you look closely on my wedding photos the one where I'm leaving the house dressed in my bridal finery has my set of yellow clackers clearly visible in the top corner where they'd hung from the phone wire for over a decade.

[gingerlover]

Had a rumtopf jar when I aws in the army in Germany, great bit of kit. Many a fruity booze up, all that rum soaking into the various fruit, yummy.
They usedto sell them in Poundstretcher and Woolies I think.
Certainly well worth the wait and the effort.

[jackie j]

variations on this theme... http://fantes.com/images/22911fruit.jpg the one they had in the shop was white and would have been ideal.

I have now put a wanted post on our local freecycle so waiting to see if I can get one that way

Shirl that is gergous right I am off to find one soon. Even if I dont use it for said purpose lol

[Scottishnewbie]

some decent priced ones on ebay if anyone interested

[Rocketron]

I'm confused (again) do you use thse for alcoholic fruit or fruit flavoured alcohol?

[selfraising]

Either if I remember rightly Rocketron! Quite pokey too, yum.

[Hilary B]

I'm confused (again) do you use thse for alcoholic fruit or fruit flavoured alcohol?

Both at once?????

[Mac]

Hi All! Was reading CJJ's book last night and saw Rumptofp mention, thought it looked a bit good, so googled it today - and found myself here!!! Couldn't find an actual rumptofp jar (yet) so am going to use a kilner. Question- do you have to be really strict with the layering of individual fruits? I've got some strawbs, rasps and peaches at home which I want to use up, would I be able to do a mixed layer to begin with?

[Alison]

Mixing is just fine, am pretty sure that Rumtopfs are pretty flexible and can be used in a varieties of ways. I'm building mine up with spare fruits as I have them but the instructions I read also said that you could just chuck a load of fruit in in one go also so am sure you will be fine.

[Mac]

Thanks Alison. The OH loves rum, so when we I mentioned the recipe it went straight to the top of the "things to do" list! Looking forward to Christmas already....

[Mac]

Hi again! quick question (another one I'm afraid), is it normal to have about an inch layer of sugar at the bottom of the jar? I put the sugar in with the fruit in a bowl for about 2 hours, then put it all in the jar and covered with the rum. This morning it looks like the sugar has just sunk to the bottom and solidified and the fruit is sitting above it in the rum. Normal?

[jackie j]

This is the recipe in C.J.J.Berry's First steps in wine making book.
May - June 1lb strawberries, 1/2 lb sugar, rum to cover a fingers breadth.
June - July 1lb cooking cherries ( with stone ) 1/2lb sugar enough rum to cover
July -August 1lb apricots or peaches, peeled, destoned and halved, 1/2lb sugar, rum to cover.
August - Sept 1lb blackberries 1/2lb sugar more rum, 1lb plums destoned, 1/2lb sugar more rum
October - Nov Pears and /or pineapple cut up and any other fruit available 1/2lb sugar more rum to cover.
After the last inclusion of fruit in November, leavr the pot to stand for a few days before trying. It will keep indefinitley.

[Waffler]

So I need to get this straight. The wasps are feasting on our plums unfortunately. I've gathered in 2-3 kg I guess without being stung and am rapidly looking to do something with them before they go off. Can I do this Rumtopf thing just with plums? And can someone please confirm quantities and duration left. Ta!

[Mac]

Thanks Jackie - that's the book (bible) I got the recipe and idea from which started my curiosity off. I just wasn't sure if the amount of sugar "sediment" was right at this stage.

Waffler - my Outlaws did a similar thing with just figs last year, and it was loverly!! Had them with clotted cream ice cream! Delish!!!