Hey all, thanks for any help you might have!
So, I'm looking for ways to improve the flow of my winemaking in any way that I can. I currently have glass carboys, some primaries, wine thief, pH meter, TA test kit, hydrometer, a filter that is gravity fed - some cheap thing I got from Midwest, bottle tree, etc.
Anything big that you think I am lacking?
Currently I think I could use a better racking system. Right now I have just a piece of tubing that I create suction through on one end and let gravity do its thing, pulling off the top of the sediment into a new container. I'm sure there are vacuum contraptions, etc. to do that in a much more efficient way.
I'm also wondering how best to step beyond 6.5 gallons. That would be the largest glass carboy that I can find. What do people tend to do from there? Move to stainless steel or plastic? I'm looking at getting fresh grapes this fall, and was looking to be able to do 15 or 20 gallons of some varietals. Might not be an easy way to do that though. Thoughts?
A barrel would always be nice, but they are pretty pricey.
Also thinking I could use something for degassing my wines, as well as a better filter. I know those get pricey quickly though, so something on the cheaper end that works?
Any input would be much appreciated. Anything that I didn't mention having that you think is critically important to get?
So, I'm looking for ways to improve the flow of my winemaking in any way that I can. I currently have glass carboys, some primaries, wine thief, pH meter, TA test kit, hydrometer, a filter that is gravity fed - some cheap thing I got from Midwest, bottle tree, etc.
Anything big that you think I am lacking?
Currently I think I could use a better racking system. Right now I have just a piece of tubing that I create suction through on one end and let gravity do its thing, pulling off the top of the sediment into a new container. I'm sure there are vacuum contraptions, etc. to do that in a much more efficient way.
I'm also wondering how best to step beyond 6.5 gallons. That would be the largest glass carboy that I can find. What do people tend to do from there? Move to stainless steel or plastic? I'm looking at getting fresh grapes this fall, and was looking to be able to do 15 or 20 gallons of some varietals. Might not be an easy way to do that though. Thoughts?
A barrel would always be nice, but they are pretty pricey.
Also thinking I could use something for degassing my wines, as well as a better filter. I know those get pricey quickly though, so something on the cheaper end that works?
Any input would be much appreciated. Anything that I didn't mention having that you think is critically important to get?