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Sunday 26 October 2014

Tips For Selecting The Best Wine Making Sanitizer

By Young Lindsay


Contaminated equipment infect your wine by introducing a strange taste and odor. The process of winemaking and the resulting wine should be an exciting hobby to give you honor in the eyes of friends and relatives. It is therefore necessary to ensure that you produce the best quality. Getting the right wine making sanitizer ensures that your equipment are ready for the next round.

The method used in cleaning does not matter as long as bacteria and foreign yeast are eliminated. These are the contaminants that are likely to affect the odor and taste of your drink. It is unthinkable to assume that you can use the same equipment for another round without cleaning. It also is necessary to differentiate between cleansers and sanitizers.

Sanitizing should only begin when the equipment are thoroughly cleaned. This removes the visible and physical dirt, which is different from what sanitizing does. The common places to find contaminants are folds and cracks on the equipment. Some of these contaminants are too tiny to be seen but should not be ignored either. They will destroy the entire barrel.

Bleach is a common sanitizing agent but it presents difficult in when getting it off the equipment. Its strength also makes easy to smell on equipment. It can be used depending on the equipment for cleaning if other products are not available. There are special products for winemaking equipment.

Though purity is required during the wine making process, sanitizing must not be confused for sterilizing. Heat application is the best way to achieve sterile containers. Sterilization is a difficult process and is considered unnecessary. There are different sanitizing agents available from neighborhood stores.

Chlorine is a common sanitizer that is used after the equipment are cleaned. It is a tricky option because it reacts very fast with organic substances and in the process looses its sanitizing power. It is readily available and cheap to acquire. The equipment should be soaked for ten minutes before being drip dried to eliminate any residue.

Winemakers prefer Iodophor because of its thoroughness. However, it leaves stains on most surfaces. You will be provided with user instructions on how to dilute. It also is easy to use because it produces a faint brown coloration that is indicative of strength. If the solution is clear, it indicates that it is no longer effective and calls for preparation of another solution.

Two other common sanitizers are sodium metabisulphite and potassium metabisulphite. They release sulfur dioxide when they come into contact with water. This is a powerful sanitizing agent that works as an antiseptic. It should be poured into the container and then left in air-tight condition.

Every part of the surface that comes into contact with wine should be sanitized. Swirling the solution is an effective way of achieving excellent results. It is not advisable to use hands. The best way to test if your equipment are clean is to assess if any odor or taste can be felt. Their absence is an indication that they are ready for the next round.

The formation and size of barrels makes their sanitizing procedures different. They are likely to require different products as well. Your situation will inform you of the best product to use. There are regular updates on sanitizing agents and procedures that can make your winemaking experience better.




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