Racking

[Ernest T Bass]

Been reading a lot about racking, but haven't come across anything telling me how to determine when I should rack. Some say 2 or 3 times, but I don't know how to tell when it's time to rack.

Thanks

Semper Fi

 

[jet]

I rack whites every month, or so, until they're clear.

 

[DavidB]

When you see the formulation of gunk on the bottom of the carboy, it's time to rack. You will repeat until you see no more gunk.

 

[Tom]

Dont rack to often. You want a hard sediment before you rack. Be very careful not to disturb what setteled.

 

[winemaker_3352]

I rack from the primary to the secondary, i rack when fermentation is complete, and then i rack when there is about 1/2" of sediment in the bottom or if it has been about 3 months time - which ever comes first. Now if there is just a dusting on the bottom - i won't rack it.

If i add a fining agent - i will rack about 2-3 weeks after.

I will also add some k-meta in if needed at each racking - make sure you measure you SO2 though.

 

[PPBart]

...Now if there is just a dusting on the bottom - i won't rack it...

Unless I'm ready to bottle -- then even a light dusting on the bottom could get stirred up, so I'll rack into a clean carboy first.

 

[djrockinsteve]

Unless I'm ready to bottle -- then even a light dusting on the bottom could get stirred up, so I'll rack into a clean carboy first.

When I have a light dusting I will let it go until a few weeks before I bottle. I'll rack then, sweeten etc. That way when I go to bottle everything is well mixed and there are no lees on the bottom and I can siphon every drop.

 

[winemaker_3352]

When I have a light dusting I will let it go until a few weeks before I bottle. I'll rack then, sweeten etc. That way when I go to bottle everything is well mixed and there are no lees on the bottom and I can siphon every drop.

Yeah - that is why i don't rack if there is a light dusting - i will let it sit a few more weeks - then filter and bottle.

 

[djrockinsteve]

That light dusting can soften some wines if you stir it up during aging.

 

[winemaker_3352]

That light dusting can soften some wines if you stir it up during aging.

Hmm - didn't think about that..

 

[Tom]

And of course we are talking about either fruit or white wines. This where filtering will polish it right up..