Carboy Sanitizing With K-Meta

[super_coo]

Hi I've been searching and couldn't find a definite answer and just wanted to be clear. Is it as simple as mixing 3 tbsp to 1 gallon of water and let that sit in bottom of the carboy with a stopper/cover? Is the citric acid that important or would I be ok with just the k-meta mixture? Approximately how long does this need to be in there to work?

I've been using star-san and when pouring it out it fills the carboy with bubbles.
I know they say not to fear the bubbles but it's also more expensive as well.

 

[bkisel]

If you're going to use k-meta you also need to clean using something like B-Brite or Oxy-Clean. I swish the k-meta solution in the carboy and then pour it out and let what remains give off its gas to do the sanitizing. I'll wait 5 minutes or so and consider that the gas has done its work. I'll tip the carboy again to drain and then consider it ready to use. Guess if it makes you feel more confident you can cover the carboy for the five minutes or so.

 

[Elmer]

I clean all carboys with EZ clean. 1 tbs for 1 gallon. Swish around and let dry (usually upside down on a towel propped up against my wine rack).

when it is dry I put a bung/airlock on it and let it sit.
When it is time to use I will fill 1.5 tbs or what ever the proper amount it, for 1 gallon.

Then Swish around, drain and let dry (usually upside down on a towel propped up against my wine rack).

or I let the 1 gallon k-meta solution sit for a day if I get side tracked and then Swish around and let dry (usually upside down on a towel propped up against my wine rack).

have not had any issues, smells or off tastes, yet!

 

[dralarms]

I wash mine with one step, put about 2 cups of kmeta in and place solid stopper on it. When I get ready to use, I swish, dump, and a quick rinse unless it's bulk aging then I figure a little kmeta won't hurt.

 

[super_coo]

Thanks for the info, I should have mentioned I normally clean with PBW powder.

 

[Runningwolf]

I wash mine with one step, put about 2 cups of kmeta in and place solid stopper on it. When I get ready to use, I swish, dump, and a quick rinse unless it's bulk aging then I figure a little kmeta won't hurt.

Just for clarity, I am sure Dr means two cups of kmeta solution and not two cups of meta.

 

[dralarms]

Yes, 2 cups of solution. Lol. Thanks for the catch, Dan.

 

[super_coo]

Are you guys mixing 3 tbsp per gallon as I mentioned in my first post?
That's what I just did and it was a very strong smell!!!

 

[dralarms]

Yes, it's nasty smelling and will take your breath away. Try not to breath it in.

 

[kryptonitewine]

Use star San. No bad fumes.


Jim

 

[ckvchestnut]

I've never seen star san in my stores. We have kmeta and diversol. It's pink, I know nothing about it but use it sometimes. Anyone have info on diversol? Guess I could google it!

 

[ckvchestnut]

Ha, found my answer by doing a search here... Wanted to know what it was and if it was similar to star san. Doesn't appear to be the same thing.

 

[LoveTheWine]

Ha, found my answer by doing a search here... Wanted to know what it was and if it was similar to star san. Doesn't appear to be the same thing.

Diversol (sani-brew) is a good for a good deep clean but it must be thoroughly washed off after. K-meta is a sanitizer not a cleaner.

Star-san is awesome! Sanitizes in 30 seconds and you don't have to wash off after.

 

[ckvchestnut]

Thank you! I normally clean my stuff right off the bat after usage with oxy clean and then when ready to use again, I do a quick clean and then a sanitize. Now I know I can save the pink stuff for the odd time. Nothin ever gets really dirty though. I have one of those hoses with a brass spray wand that sprays in all directions. For rinsing I just insert in carboy while holding carboy slightly downwards into sink so I get a really good rinse with clean hot water.

 

[chris400]

I been using the same k-meta for about a month now and it still takes your breath away....i pour in carboy shake it around and pour it back into my storage container ....let carboy sit a few min and go......also have a sprayer i use for quick sanitizing with same k-meta solution in it

 

[nayrea143]

This might sound silly but I have a hard time thinking about swishing the meta around dumping it and using it just like that. I am kinda compelled to then rinse out with whatever to ensure all particles dirt bacteria ect has been removed. Maybe it's my health care background but it reminds me of a hand sanitizer it might kill the bacteria and germs but they are still on your hands just dead. Lol. Am I crazy?!?!? Lol lol anyone else do this???


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[bkisel]

This might sound silly but I have a hard time thinking about swishing the meta around dumping it and using it just like that. I am kinda compelled to then rinse out with whatever to ensure all particles dirt bacteria ect has been removed. Maybe it's my health care background but it reminds me of a hand sanitizer it might kill the bacteria and germs but they are still on your hands just dead. Lol. Am I crazy?!?!? Lol lol anyone else do this???


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Hey, just think of it as adding a little protein to your wine.

Seriously though, rinsing may actually add live bad stuff back into the carboy. At least that's the way I think about it.

 

[cmason1957]

This might sound silly but I have a hard time thinking about swishing the meta around dumping it and using it just like that. I am kinda compelled to then rinse out with whatever to ensure all particles dirt bacteria ect has been removed. Maybe it's my health care background but it reminds me of a hand sanitizer it might kill the bacteria and germs but they are still on your hands just dead. Lol. Am I crazy?!?!? Lol lol anyone else do this???


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I would never put water back into something I just sanitized. If there are still particles in, you shouldn't be trying to sanitize, you have to clean all that stuff out, before you sanitize, is my opinion about it.

I do think this is much different than healthcare stuff. Generally there you are trying to sterilize, in wine making, we are just trying to sanitize. Of course, I don't generally use hand sanitizer or anti-bacterial soap. Just soap and water, why give the little buggers in and around you a chance to get used to anti-bacterial stuff and immune to it.

 

[nayrea143]

I would never put water back into something I just sanitized. If there are still particles in, you shouldn't be trying to sanitize, you have to clean all that stuff out, before you sanitize, is my opinion about it.

I do think this is much different than healthcare stuff. Generally there you are trying to sterilize, in wine making, we are just trying to sanitize. Of course, I don't generally use hand sanitizer or anti-bacterial soap. Just soap and water, why give the little buggers in and around you a chance to get used to anti-bacterial stuff and immune to it.

So everyone pretty much sprays equipment, dips it or does a swish type of action then uses it??? I have been rinsing with water after everything. Doesn't the residual meta potentially change the amount in the must or wine?? I guess I just need to put my little OCD ness behind me. Lol


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[vacuumpumpman]

So everyone pretty much sprays equipment, dips it or does a swish type of action then uses it??? I have been rinsing with water after everything. Doesn't the residual meta potentially change the amount in the must or wine?? I guess I just need to put my little OCD ness behind me. Lol


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Never rinse afterwards - you are defeating the purpose of sanitizing then.
I use a heavy tsp of meta and equal amounts of citric acid per gallon of water. That is because I am lowering the ph of water - similar to wine - which in affect makes the solution of meta alot more powerful