Recent content by CARBOY

Learn the hard way. Oh yes. In 25 years only four incidents. The two that you mentioned are common. The other two in my case were spaying chemicals that otherwise by themselves are OK...but never at the same time. And the worse ever occurred by hired help and bad planning on my part. To get a...

Do you have big box store or other store that sell paint strainer bags that is closer to you? Lowes, Home Depot, ACE...I have used the paint strainer bags for a few years...they are cheaper and work well for me. I just wash and sterilize before use. Just a suggestion.

Just a few questions if you don't mind. What type & variety of vine/s did you plant? How are the vines trained currently...low wire, high wire? How many vines is "a few vines"? How far apart are the vines? I agree with adding the posts between plants and at the end. You can use the existing...

Mmmmmm. A picture would be nice. Sounds like what you have may be Ok for a few vines if the end poles have anchor wires. Lots of small home growers use pipes or what ever is available. As for myself, I have several rows with 10 vines per row and because of the different training systems I use...

Thanks for the feedback. Now I have a better visual understanding of this yeasts profile. My latest measurements are as follows: o Brix = 10.2 using refractometer o SG = 1.0409 using FermCalc, did not ferment dry (this would result in 7.4%ABV) o PH = 4.38 o %TA = 0.72 (10ml sample) o...

I just started a 1-gal test batch of black cherry using R.W. Knudsen “Just Black Cherry” juice. The yeast appears to be doing its thing but not what I expected. Instead of a foaming, bubbley action; I have a sparkling, glittering, sizzling fizz...when I stir it; it foams, then subsides quickly...

Thanks for the replies...I will keep it in the primary for a little while longer. I stir (actually slosh) twice daily; once before I go to work and then when I get home. I'll keep checking the Brix daily as I started 2~3 days ago..maybe check twice on the weekend; but I think it may go into the...

SG = 1.054 using hydrometer (before sugar addition) Brix = 13.70 using refractometer (before sugar addition) PH = 3.48 (before sugar addition) SG = 1.095 using hydrometer (after sugar addition) Brix = 22.65 using refractometer (after sugar addition) Temp = 78F Rh = 49%

I have an apple grape peach mango, 1 gal batch going in primary. I was planning to transfer to secondary when SG reaches 1.010 (Brix 2.5598). Batch has been in primary for 8-days, fermentation has slowed a great deal. SG for last 3-days has been 1.0294, 1.0285 and 1.0269. Should I go ahead and...

Thanks for sharing all the tips and advice...a few I never considered before. I must admit though...if I discovered a mouse had decided to get into my chemicals...I would freak out.

I have been refrigerating my yeasts, any yeast products (nutrient, energizer, starter and liquid chemicals (ie pectin enzyme).....but I was wondering about some of the other chemicals and additives. Are there any home winemaking chemicals I should always store in the fridge????? What are others...

Thanks Chiumanfu for that tip...I'm always worried about knocking over my bottle holding the probe in the solution and evaporation. Maybe a bottle in a bottle...I'll keep trying things. Thanks.

So....Midwest Vinter mentioned "If you keep the probe wet"; I've had my Hanna meter for a few years now, use the cleaning and cal solutions as required but here is my question concerning keeping the probe wet. It seems every time I go to use the probe (several times every 2~3 months), the probe...

Captan mixed with Dormant oil was the first thing that popped into my mind that could cause quick spray damage. Be very careful with sprays...as mentioned above; Captan and oil spray...I never mix or on top of the other. I also have be careful when using Sulfur sprays...OK with some vines; but...

Yeaaaaa! Bud break has started this past week in my WineYard, green tips on many other vines. And so it begins; again. BTW...I was finally able to get some Nortons.