MLF Vigor?

[jowine]

How much room do I need to leave in a carboy when starting MLF? This is my first MLF, be gentle...

Thanks for any help!

Joe

 

[mainshipfred]

My first as well but from what I see you don't need much. Mine are full to the neck. The only problem is there is not much room to stir.

 

[jowine]

Thanks, Fred. That helps!

 

[Stressbaby]

Agree - you don't need any extra room.

 

[Ajmassa]

Yup. No foaming. I had that issue stirring a full carboy too. Started using a racking to stir so there is barely any wine being displaced. Worked great.

 

[mainshipfred]

Yup. No foaming. I had that issue stirring a full carboy too. Started using a racking to stir so there is barely any wine being displaced. Worked great.

A racking cane is a great idea, wish I thought of it.

 

[Ajmassa]

A racking cane is a great idea, wish I thought of it.

Lol. Yea I had a little ‘Aha’ moment after always breaking my stones. When filled i often ended up with wine flow down the sides outside the carboy- or having to remove some first. (The kind of fumbling that makes you think “this can’t be the way everyone else does it”).
I pretty much exclusively use a racking cane any time I stir a carboy now, since they’re essentially always topped up.

 

[jgmann67]

I topped up my carboys yesterday and almost immediately regretted it when I went to stir the wine with my stir spoon.

Racking cane!!! Of course. Thanks!

 

[Boatboy24]

Yup. No foaming. I had that issue stirring a full carboy too. Started using a racking to stir so there is barely any wine being displaced. Worked great.

Can't believe I haven't thought of that. Thanks AJ.