Oxygen

[MN Shutterbug]

I'm pretty new to this wine making and have made just 3 six gallon batches to date. I just saw in a catalog a 1 gallon keg for wine and thought that would be a great idea since I don't enjoy the bottling process. The problem is, since I do only 6 gallon kits, after racking 1 gallon into the keg I'd have to bottle the rest since there would be too much oxygen in the empty space in the fermenter. Has anyone figured out a way to fill up this empty space so there wouldn't excess H2O to affect the remaining wine?

 

[Johnd]

I'm pretty new to this wine making and have made just 3 six gallon batches to date. I just saw in a catalog a 1 gallon keg for wine and thought that would be a great idea since I don't enjoy the bottling process. The problem is, since I do only 6 gallon kits, after racking 1 gallon into the keg I'd have to bottle the rest since there would be too much oxygen in the empty space in the fermenter. Has anyone figured out a way to fill up this empty space so there wouldn't excess H2O to affect the remaining wine?

Buy a 5 gallon carboy, or a three and two ones.

 

[MN Shutterbug]

But if I buy a 5 gallon, then I'd still have empty space after racking 1 gallon out of it and same with a 3 gallon. Then I'd be better off buying six 1 gallon carboys.

 

[NorCal]

Check out the “head space eliminator”. I’ve kept a partial carboy for 3 months and did not detect oxidation.

 

[Johnd]

But if I buy a 5 gallon, then I'd still have empty space after racking 1 gallon out of it and same with a 3 gallon. Then I'd be better off buying six 1 gallon carboys.

Yes, if you intend never to bottle, and just load your dispenser one gallon at a time, one gallon jugs would be the ticket.

 

[MN Shutterbug]

Check out the “head space eliminator”. I’ve kept a partial carboy for 3 months and did not detect oxidation.

Awesome idea. Thanks.

 

[NorCal]

Awesome idea. Thanks.

The only cautionary note. I use a similar one way valve (without the balloon) and then have a gauge on my pump to measure the vacuum. Understanding that a perfect vacuum is around 26, you want to try to get as close to this as possible (my pump runs out of steam between 20-21). I also check, and re-evacuate frequently.
It is not an absolute solution, as there will still be oxygen exposure and using smaller glass containers is a better way to go, however, I’ve had good results using this for short periods of time, without any noticeable impact to the wine.

 

[Johnd]

Understanding that a perfect vacuum is around 26, you want to try to get as close to this as possible (my pump runs out of steam between 20-21). I also check, and re-evacuate frequently.

It's actually 29.92, but your point remains valid, it's important to get as close to it as possible, and maintain that value. My pump gets pretty close to 29, as it's made for pulling vacuums on refrigerant lines..

 

[MN Shutterbug]

I’ve had good results using this for short periods of time, without any noticeable impact to the wine.

What do you consider short periods of time? I'm now thinking a 1 gallon keg in the fridge might take up too much room. However, I'd still like to try something like this so if I have just a dozen or so empty bottles at my disposal, I can still do another 6 gallon kit and bottle just half and leave the rest for when I have enough bottles on hand. I'm now thinking the smartest thing for me to do if I go this route instead, would be to buy a 3 gallon bubbler. That way I can bottle half and rack the other half into the 3 gallon jug for a later time. i like to have more than 1 flavor of wine on hand but don't like to keep buying bottles or having 7 dozen bottles sitting around. This would solve that for me.

 

[Scooter68]

1) DON'T BUY 1 gallon carboys! Visit your local recycling center. It might take few weeks but you should be able to come up with some empties. They are most often 4 Liter vs 1 gallon but they still work.
2) While you are there look for some 1/2 gallon empties as well. You should, with some patience, find some with an opening that will fit screw on airlock tops or corks.

Good luck on your venture.

 

[MN Shutterbug]

At around $5 each, it would be much easier to just buy them.

 

[Country]

Bottling day is a pain, I hear ya. But it gets better. May I suggest you make the bottling process easier by getting the right equipment and you won’t dread it so much- work smarter not harder. Get an Italian floor corker. New for $120 or so and used for $50-100. Get a bottle washer
https://labelpeelers.com/equipment/...MIqLS5xJvD2wIVibbACh33ogDJEAQYBSABEgIl0fD_BwE
And bottle rinser
https://www.northernbrewer.com/vina...MI77jaoZvD2wIVksDACh1c4Ao5EAQYASABEgIv__D_BwE
And a bottle drain tree
https://labelpeelers.com/bottle-dra...MIyMjdpZzD2wIVz8DACh2XygmxEAQYBiABEgKfDfD_BwE

With all this stuff, bottling day is much more efficient, it’s really kinda fun. Good luck.

 

[AkTom]

Oh yeah. I’ll help you spend some money. Get an allinonewinepump.com vacuum pump. No more lifting full carboys. I hope the grape vine has lots of great grapes.
Cheers

 

[Venatorscribe]

Bottling day is a pain, I hear ya. But it gets better. May I suggest you make the bottling process easier by getting the right equipment and you won’t dread it so much- work smarter not harder. Get an Italian floor corker. New for $120 or so and used for $50-100. Get a bottle washer
https://labelpeelers.com/equipment/...MIqLS5xJvD2wIVibbACh33ogDJEAQYBSABEgIl0fD_BwE
And bottle rinser
https://www.northernbrewer.com/vina...MI77jaoZvD2wIVksDACh1c4Ao5EAQYASABEgIv__D_BwE
And a bottle drain tree
https://labelpeelers.com/bottle-dra...MIyMjdpZzD2wIVz8DACh2XygmxEAQYBiABEgKfDfD_BwE

With all this stuff, bottling day is much more efficient, it’s really kinda fun. Good luck.

So so true. If someone is financially constrained - just even one of these items will revolutionise your bottling. The most exciting item above that first did it for me ... ( I know it sounds sick) ... was the bottle tree ! I can not forget the first time I used it. It saved me from so much frigging around.