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B/c I'm using reclaimed bottles that are screw top, I don't think it's a good idea to mess with this as a corker. Thx for your feedback.

pics of your axe?

Ah I see. I almost want to get it in case I get into doing beer. It's built like a tank out of iron by the looks of it. But I bet it's super big and awkward to store, can't really justify getting it. If I lived in a big farm with lots of room I'd buy it and put it in my work shed next to the...

Head space does annoy me as a newcomer. Haven't used any inert gas yet. But do find that significant brain energy is spent on working out volumes for different containers when racking down.

I think I'll skip getting it then. Thanks for your feedback!

This is a great thread question. I'm a newb to the art and only have about a year or so. But what I feel stands out so far... 1) Slow down and enjoy the process and journey. I often find myself frustrated or sore at times dealing with all the carboys, cleaning and sanitizing. Slow down. Listen...

Anyone know if one of these vintage bottle cappers also works as a wine corker? This video shows an old capper working as both but its build is a little different: Cheers,

Sorry for delayed reply. World's been crazy, hence myself. Thx for appreciating my post! I admit you're correct and I'm wrong. There is no reason a home winemaker can't hit that $25 mark. Think about the beginning of commercial wine making. Those early commercial wineries were asking the...

Thanks! I'll take a look at that thread. Started drawing something up in sketchup and I have to say the diamonds do seem pretty complex. I'm wondering. Will this layout still have the added efficiency when using 1.5 l bottles as well? I might be tempted to just do a 45 deg X layout if the...

Do you have any links to plans for this technique? I googled it but wasn't able to find anything. Interested in doing the diamonds if it isn't too hard to implement with the wood. Likely have to borrow a miter saw.

Looks yummy! Nice rise. Did it have any smokey flavor?

I'm going to contribute as a total newb. Apologies upfront. From what I've read in the book on home wine making I'm reading. It looks like you have fairly extensive techniques to bring that quality up. What's reiterated over and over in my book is quality of fruit. Once you know what you're...

Also started sourdough starter a few months ago and started baking occasionally with it. Have been pretty low carb for years but wanted some bread after the urge grew and grew, read sourdough was the healthiest ticket (also had a boule abroad that lasted forever as I nibbled on it and fell in...

Thanks for the comment. I think I will do this next kit without adding anything so I have a baseline to compare it to. If anything I might add some oak chips.

I'm wondering what the thoughts are with adding tannins, oak and tartaric acid to kits. Would you recommend doing a specific varietal of kit vanilla first and then experimenting with adding these? So you have a baseline? Any recommendations for testing for acid / ph? I find my ph strips are...

Did my first bottling with a hand corker just a couple days ago. Worked surprisingly well. Wasn't particularly ergonomic kneeling on the floor, but if you had a good setup with the right table height, I think the hand corker can work pretty good.

It definitely tastes more grown up, and there is about 1-2mm of sediment dropped in the carboy. Her nose still is a bit yeasty and funky but less so than 2 weeks ago. Maybe she'll benefit to the 3rd rack sooner rather than later to aerate a tad and help with the lingering ferment aromas? My kit...

I think I'd like to bottle it sooner and let it age in the bottle a few weeks before I start drinking it?

This is after my second racking so it has already been degassed and hit with a dose of sulphite. I decided to go ahead and top up to as close as I could get to the stopper. About 1". Now I'm wondering when to time my third racking. It's been two weeks since my second racking. But it stayed in...

I apologize in advance if this is a redundant question. I imagine it is but didn't find it in the search. When you use the wine thief to do readings and tastings. It brings the level down quite a bit in my carboy (it has a wide mouth). I haven't noticed in my big carboy the need too during...