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 It’s
Saturday. It’s spring. The sun is shining, birds are
singing your mind wanders to the golf course, but
first you have to get that premium Cab/Merlot wine
kit started. You can’t wait to see how it turns out.
The fellow at the wine store raved about it. Through
the window you see your teen-aged son washing the
family car. Aaaaahhhh!!!! He’s using your new primary
fermenter as a wash bucket!
Now
calm down. Before you send the kid off to Military
School for the summer, have a look at the bucket.
If there are no scratches on the inside surface and
the detergent is not highly scented you can still
get that Cab/Merlot on this morning. A good cleaning
and sanitizing is all that the bucket should need
to make it usable as a fermenter again.
This
might be a good time to have a look at all your equipment
and replace any old and stained plastic hoses and
tubes, and any that are over 3 years old. Plastic
carboys and buckets should be inspected regularly.
Any small scratches on the inside surface can harbour
bacteria and are almost impossible to sanitize. If
left unattended this can carry contamination from
batch to batch. Glass on the other hand can last a
lifetime, with proper care. Glass should never be
allowed to come in contact with hot water over 140
F. or 60 Celsius. Higher water temperatures can cause
breakage or weakening of the glass where sometimes
a small tap can cause the carboy to shatter.
Regular
inspections and proper care of your equipment should
insure that all your wine and beer making endeavours
will have your family and friends showering you with
compliments.
Oh yes! Visit a car wash and save your buckets.
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