Paper test strips

[wineview]

In an effort to keep costs down I found these products online. Will the PH strips read Star San effectiveness correctly and Chromotography strips tell me when MLF is complete.

https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/ph-papers-1-14-range-80-pack/
https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/ph-papers-1-14-range-80-pack/
Thanks

 

[franc1969]

I have used these strips- they get you in the ballpark, but I would not rely on them. They give a very general reading. The closer scale strips- say just the acid ones, are probably fine for figuring out if you are close enough for starsan. They will -not- be enough for wine, and you need something else entirely for reading MLF completion.

 

[wineview]

Ball park for Star San is ok. I don't keep it that long. Another member mentioned chromatography strips indicating that they won't get an exact number but rather tell you when all the malic acid is converted. I plan on leaving the wine in MLF for a minimum of three months.

 

[wineview]

In an effort to keep costs down I found these products online. Will the PH strips read Star San effectiveness correctly and Chromotography strips tell me when MLF is complete.

https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/ph-papers-1-14-range-80-pack/
https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/ph-papers-1-14-range-80-pack/
Thanks

I just noticed I copied the same link twice. Here is the other corrected link.

https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/chromatography-paper-50-pack/

 

[franc1969]

You want something short-range for pH, like these. Hydrion S/R Dispenser 0.0-6.0
(grabbed link for photo/description only) You don't need to know about the high range at all.

The strips you linked for chromatography are the paper only, you'd still need reagents and standards to run the tests. I don't know pricing for anything to know if buying the strips is cheaper than cutting off a sheet yourself.

 

[mainshipfred]

Unless I'm missing something I'm not sure the paper strips are all you need for MLF and there is not a lot of information. When you click below it appears these strips have something to do with candy. The paper I use is 8" tall and it takes every bit of that for the reading. plus you need the developer solution. The standards aren't really important since the tartaric, malic and lactic are always going to be in the same place. There are other test methods that are a little more accurate but also more expensive. The lowest price for the proper chromatography kits comes from Presque Isle. It will give you over 100 tests easy. If you plan on waiting 3 months and can be at 70 degrees which is what I do there should be no reason for testing although it is nice to be able to.

https://www.piwine.com/chromatography-test-kit-vertical-paper.html

 

[cmason1957]

I use the malic acid test strips and what you linked is not them. Here's two links to the kind of strips I use, they probably end up being slightly more expensive than doing paper chromotography, but you don't have the chemicals around your house and for me that is somewhat more important. oh and getting a reading in about 10 minutes, instead of overnight.

https://www.amazon.com/QuantiQuik-Malic-Acid-Quick-Strips/dp/B01MDPILVA
https://www.grapeandgranary.com/accuvin-malic-acid-test.html

 

[wineview]

I use the malic acid test strips and what you linked is not them. Here's two links to the kind of strips I use, they probably end up being slightly more expensive than doing paper chromotography, but you don't have the chemicals around your house and for me that is somewhat more important. oh and getting a reading in about 10 minutes, instead of overnight.

https://www.amazon.com/QuantiQuik-Malic-Acid-Quick-Strips/dp/B01MDPILVA
https://www.grapeandgranary.com/accuvin-malic-acid-test.html

lets say I leave my carboys in a 70* environment for MLF for four months or so. Without testing I rack and add kmeta. What would be the worse case scenario? Most of my research indicates MLF should be completed within a three month period.

 

[mainshipfred]

lets say I leave my carboys in a 70* environment for MLF for four months or so. Without testing I rack and add kmeta. What would be the worse case scenario? Most of my research indicates MLF should be completed within a three month period.

Not a thing unless you start smelling VA. Just make sure they are topped up to the fullest.

 

[wineview]

Not a thing unless you start smelling VA. Just make sure they are topped up to the fullest.

VA? Carboys are topped within 1.5”- 2” of the bung.

 

[mainshipfred]

VA? Carboys are topped within 1.5”- 2” of the bung.

Volatile acidity, nail polish remover or vinegar smell, and I would not leave more than 1/2". You want to take every precaution when leaving wine unprotected for that long.

 

[cmason1957]

lets say I leave my carboys in a 70* environment for MLF for four months or so. Without testing I rack and add kmeta. What would be the worse case scenario? Most of my research indicates MLF should be completed within a three month period.

Should be completed is the important part there. Might be, might not be. If not completed, it could fire back up later, like after you bottle and go to completion and you now have a nice sparkling wine, maybe in some of the bottles, not in others.

 

[wineview]

Should be completed is the important part there. Might be, might not be. If not completed, it could fire back up later, like after you bottle and go to completion and you now have a nice sparkling wine, maybe in some of the bottles, not in others.

But would several doses of kmeta in bulk storage prevent sparkling wine.

 

[cmason1957]

But would several doses of kmeta in bulk storage prevent sparkling wine.

Again the answer is might, might not. It really depends on how long you let the wine remain in the bottles it's a crapshoot. Under two, maybe the years, you are probably fine. You could also add lysozyme to inhibit the mlf from kicking back up, but you are better off knowing it completed and you don't have to worry.

 

[franc1969]

In an effort to keep costs down I found these products online. Will the PH strips read Star San effectiveness correctly and Chromotography strips tell me when MLF is complete.

https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/ph-papers-1-14-range-80-pack/
https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/ph-papers-1-14-range-80-pack/
Thanks

Here are the wine range pH strips.
https://www.lodiwinelabs.com/collections/lab-equipment/products/ph-test-strips-wine

 

[wineview]

Again the answer is might, might not. It really depends on how long you let the wine remain in the bottles it's a crapshoot. Under two, maybe the years, you are probably fine. You could also add lysozyme to inhibit the mlf from kicking back up, but you are better off knowing it completed and you don't have to worry.

I'll keep an eye on the PH. Just made a purchase.


https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE

 

[mainshipfred]

I'll keep an eye on the PH. Just made a purchase.


Apera Instruments AI311 Premium Series PH60 Waterproof pH Pocket Tester Kit, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy

Good for you going that route rather than the strips. I see it has a cap to hold storage solution. The solution is important for keeping the bulb moist. If you don't want to buy storage solution I'm told pH 7.0 buffer solution will work.

 

[wineview]

Good for you going that route rather than the strips. I see it has a cap to hold storage solution. The solution is important for keeping the bulb moist. If you don't want to but storage solution I'm told pH 7.0 buffer solution will work.

I also purchase storage solution and 4-7 buffer solution.