Just a thought....

[SpoiledRotten]

Although I'm sure others have, at the very least, considered it, I was wondering what you guys/gals think about using the flow control clamps on tubing while bulk aging?

What I'm thinking is when you have a little space in the top of the carboy, or even when you have it full, pull a good vacuum on the wine (using a small piece of tubing just out of the bung and a flow control), then a coupling and the regular vacuum tubing. When you get the good vacuum pulled, close the flow control, keeping the short piece of tubing on the carboy, and removing the rest of the tubing at the coupling. Now you have the vacuum that is always lost when you remove the tube and put the air lock in place, allowing no air back into the carboy, keeping spoilage from most likely happening until you get ready to bottle.

What do you think?

 

[JohnT]

If you keep it filled, that little bit of air will not make any kind of difference. IMHO, it is not needed.

 

[DoctorCAD]

Overkill, but if it gives you a sense of safety, go ahead.

 

[Runningwolf]

You'll suck the water out of your airlock