| Anyone who has made wine for a while knows the | | | | If you are hoping to get the extra protection of |
| correct level of liquid in the airlock is vital to assuring | | | | bacteria control that sulfite offers, you will need to |
| good wine. But questions come up about what | | | | replace the solution in the airlock every week or so. |
| exactly one should put in the airlock to protect the | | | | Why? Because the sulfite in the water oxidizes |
| wine from air and other contaminants. Some suggest | | | | quickly and the sulfer gas will leave the water. After |
| just plain water, others say a sanitizing solution of | | | | about a week, the solution won't have that much |
| water and potassium metabisulfite, while yet more | | | | more strength over water alone. |
| suggest vodka or some other alcohol-based liquid. | | | | Vodka Or Other Alcohol Based Liquid |
| What should you use? Let's look at the three | | | | Some winemakers recommend the use of a liquid |
| different recommendations: | | | | with a high percent of alcohol in it. Alcohol of course |
| Water | | | | has anti-bacterial qualities itself. Using alcohol might be |
| Traditionally, plain water has been used in airlocks for | | | | fine during cooler months, but when it warms up, it |
| winemaking. It does a fine job of allowing carbon | | | | should be completely avoided. And probably not for |
| dioxide out of the carboy while not allowing air to get | | | | reasons you might think! It still might be offering |
| in. Some winemakers fear that perhaps water does | | | | protection to your homemade wine, but the alcohol |
| not offer the best protection because bacteria can | | | | odor will attract fruit flies. And the last thing you |
| live in it. So they have suggested the use of sanitizing | | | | want in your home winery is an infestation of fruit |
| solution. | | | | flies. They carry the dreaded acetobacter - acetic |
| Sanitizing Solution | | | | acid bacteria that turns wine into vinegar. |
| Many winemakers will mix up a gallon of sanitizing | | | | Whatever you decide to use in your airlocks, the |
| solution using 3 tablespoons of potassium | | | | most important thing is to remember to check them |
| metabisulfite per gallon of water. This will do a very | | | | every couple of weeks. Whether you have used plain |
| good job at sanitizing equipment and home winery | | | | water, sulfite solution, or alcohol, it will have |
| work areas. Sulfites inhibit bacteria growth. Because | | | | evaporated to some degree, and it's vital that you |
| of this, some winemakers will use this solution in their | | | | keep the liquid right up to the line on the center of |
| airlocks. | | | | the airlock. |