Recent content by Gedanken

This is an excellent point. It costs nothing to create a Tax ID number. Since I am not a lawyer, I can't comment on if there are any ramifications to obtaining a EIN. They would have to produce some really awesome kits to go to that much effort though.

Rule #1 on these type of deals is that you never call, e-mail or contact them.

I have a friend that was giving one of these for his birthday: http://www.wineaccessory.com/clef.htm We played around with it a bit and it did seem to change the wine. We talked about doing a blind taste test with the same wine aged by the device for different levels of time. We haven't...

As I said, it makes sense for them to provide the range. You can save costs by just printing one set of instructions. Small variances in S.G. don't create unnecessary phone calls for the support line. I measured the S.G. of the Coastal White about 1.086. I guess I should have put that in...

I have found a couple of websites that detail the individual statutes on a state by state basis. It is a fairly interesting read. In Kansas, the law states that wine and beer produced can only be consumed at home and only by family members. Some of the local brew clubs have been working on...

One other thought - I have always wondered about starting S.G. The range they specify on the instructions is always fairly large. I understand why they would want to take this approach, but I am a detail oriented guy. Since quite a few of us are doing this wine at the moment - what was...

I started mine last night I added some lightly toasted oak to it. The scientist in me wishes I had a control for comparison.

I have to agree with you on this. As soon as the grape is picked a chain reaction is started that will have an effect on the end product. I guess you could play a semantic game and claim it isn't wine at that point. If that was the situation than it would be at the point that the yeast is...

One batch last year and one batch waiting to be bottled this year ... 1223 + 12 = 1235

One small addendum - I do agree with your comment about smoothness and speed. i have noticed that as well.

I have a double-level corker and have used it for few years. I plan on eventually getting a floor corker, but probably will wait until my wife asks me for gift ideas. Like you, I wasn't a fan of the results when I first used the double-level corker. The good news is that the cork is not...

The reaction is apparently caused by not only the chemical makeup, but also the surface of the mentos. I read this on Wikipedia so it must be true. ;) They do have a photo on the "Diet Coke and Mentos Eruption" page that show mentos dropped in four different carbonated drinks and their...

I put together my own aeration-oxidation system using several documents on the Internet and the information provided by "The Homebuilt Winery" book. They all list 3% H2O2.

I am with you on this. Never, ever soak them. I clean and sanitize a colander or steamer basket and stick it in a sealed container. The sealed container has some k-meta solution in at the bottom and the colander keeps the corks away from the solution, but allows the gas to reach the corks.

You should write a "how-to" on this. I would love to read something on this.