Recent content by OldBanjo

Did the poof test and its definite acting like CO2. Tasted a bit fizzy, too. I think this may be a good time to try out some of the vacuum methods. Thanks, Rice_Guy for outlining a system I can try without spending more $$$. If I can get a vacuum system to work, is there a downside to using...

Its at 74 degrees. I've also already added sorbate and k-meta. Here's a more detailed description of the bubbles. Whenever I would take a break from drilling, they would look like specks working their way along the surface of the carboy to the surface. On the surface, they would form a layer...

I've now been agitating a batch for over 40 minutes I'm still getting a blanket of very fine bubbles. Does it make sense that CO2 can still be coming out or am I just pulling out SO2 or O2 that has gotten stirred in??? I'm about to throw my drill against the wall and take up knitting!

Thanks! Think I'll let 'er rip. After following kit instructions closely as a beginner, its exciting to be winging it a bit without having to worry about screwing up a $100 batch.

I had some 1 gal jars laying around so thought it might be fun to take my first shot at skeeter pee. Looks like fermentation is going okay and will be moving over to secondary soon. Anybody know what would happen if I don't degas??? Would it be junk or would it be like the carbonated versions...

I've been making red kits and, though flavor has been good, I suspect it could be improved with more thorough degassing. (Getting small bubbles where the wine surface meets the glass. Amount of bubbles decreases the longer the bottle has been open.) I've been agitating with the drill...

I think it's time to buy some more carboys. That would let me take your suggestion to double the timelines without feeling pressure to empty them before the next batch is ready.

How long would you estimate it should sit in the carboy for the degas? I don't have any experience with bulk aging.

I just tried to degas a kit that I've made several times in the past. At first nothing was happening so I started switching the drill direction every 10 seconds or so. It started generating bubbles like crazy then and hadn't let up after 10 minutes. For lack of a better idea, I took another...

Thanks for all the good input! Really like the idea of doing two higher end kits at the same time so we can have a direct comparison. Once the equipment is freed up again, I'll work on getting ahead so we can start giving the wine the time it deserves to age.

I've been using WE Vintner Reserve kits to build up my cellar before going to higher end, longer aging wines. Can anyone give me a recommendation for a Cabernet kit that will be good after 5mo of aging? I know longer is better but 5 months is about when my wife will have emptied all my bottles!

Thanks for the input! I think I will skip the extra k-meta this time.

My daughter just asked me to make wine for her wedding--she's a brave girl! Anyway, it's about 8 months out and she wants the Winexpert VR Cabernet. I really don't want to screw this up so I have a couple questions. I've made several kits but haven't had any bottles survive my wife's opener...