A Problem With Gas

[PCharles]

Ok, I may need Beno now and then, but I am really looking for a product I can purchase that will do a good job degassing my carboy. The spoon and drill gismo just are not doing the trick. I'd like to do extended aging in the carboy, but still feel some vacume system is required.

I've seen a variety of methods from using a foodsaver, medical vacume pump, and small hand pumbs. No system seems to be turn-key.

Does anyone know of a product I can purchase that will work for degassing a carboy. A one carboy system will do fine.

Thanks for your feedback.

Paul

 

[robie]

Wade sells used/rebuilt vacuum pumps that will do the job. I and lots of others have purchased a pump and special bungs/hoses from him. PM him.

IMO you will still need to use the drill and stirring rod, which will get most of the gas out. The vacuum pump will help get the rest out. Just before bottle, I usually will use the vacuum pump once more to degas, just in case...

The pump also makes racking a lot easier and cleaner.

 

[ffemt128]

I have a vaccum pump purchased from Wade, but I still use the mityvac hand pump as well.

 

[Runningwolf]

I have a vaccum pump purchased from Wade, but I still use the mityvac hand pump as well.

Doug I don't understand why you would use your mityvac at all now. I siphon from the primary down into another primary add my chemical and use the drill mix to stir the chemicals and a bit of degassing. Then I use the vacuum pump to splash rack back up to a carboy. This removes 85% of the gas. Then I use the vacuum pump on the full carboy to finish up the last bit. Very simple.

 

[ffemt128]

Doug I don't understand why you would use your mityvac at all now. I siphon from the primary down into another primary add my chemical and use the drill mix to stir the chemicals and a bit of degassing. Then I use the vacuum pump to splash rack back up to a carboy. This removes 85% of the gas. Then I use the vacuum pump on the full carboy to finish up the last bit. Very simple.

I just haven't gotten around to actually degassing with the vacuum pump. Pretty much my process is the same as yours other than I stir by hand and hit the last but with the mity vac. I agree that racking with the vacuum pump removes 85-95% of the gas. When I use the mity vac, I pump it up to about 20 and let it sit. Generally takes 30 minutes to get down to 15 and at that point I'm fairly convinced there is no gas left.

 

[robie]

I just haven't gotten around to actually degassing with the vacuum pump. Pretty much my process is the same as yours other than I stir by hand and hit the last but with the mity vac. I agree that racking with the vacuum pump removes 85-95% of the gas. When I use the mity vac, I pump it up to about 20 and let it sit. Generally takes 30 minutes to get down to 15 and at that point I'm fairly convinced there is no gas left.

I would still do the "shake it in a bottle" test just to make sure the gas is gone. A taste test should also confirm if the gas is gone. I can really taste that stuff, even in some commercial wines.

 

[grapeman]

Doug, do you have one of those orange carboy caps? If so, take your suction vacuum line and attach it either directly or with a fitting. It will pull the vaccum in a matter of seconds. Before you turn off the pump, crank the adjustment up all the way and turn it off- that holds the vacuum in the system. Treat it just like the hand pump only without the hand pumping unless you need to build up the hand muscles!

 

[Runningwolf]

I would still do the "shake it in a bottle" test just to make sure the gas is gone. A taste test should also confirm if the gas is gone. I can really taste that stuff, even in some commercial wines.

...and then there are some of us putting C02 back into the wine after it has cleared. Wow what a quick buzz

 

[ffemt128]

Doug, do you have one of those orange carboy caps? If so, take your suction vacuum line and attach it either directly or with a fitting. It will pull the vaccum in a matter of seconds. Before you turn off the pump, crank the adjustment up all the way and turn it off- that holds the vacuum in the system. Treat it just like the hand pump only without the hand pumping unless you need to build up the hand muscles!

I believe I do have one of those caps. If not I can get one. I'll give it a shot.

 

[rhattin]

Degassing system

I have designed/built a vacuum nozzle that allows me to transfer, degas and degas/bottle wine from glass carboys. You also need a vacuum pump that are available for $100 on eBay or Kijiji. something that will draw 28 in at 3.5 cfm. The other kit is tubing ( i use 1/4 for the vacuum side and 1/2 in for the wine transfer), and a small jug of 11 l carboy, a double or triple holed bung and the famous orange cap if all you are doing is transferring between carboys.
Incredible flexibility,control and cleanliness, for a change.
Will post some pictures when I figure out how to attach pictures to this blog.
Have used it over the last 3 months with success.
Ric
Seabright, NS

 

[rhattin]

A problem with gas, take 2.

As well as the vacuum system, I have found that the painted paint stir rod from Home depot, attached to a high speed drill - I use a portable B and
D set at high speed - really does wonders on the gas issue. They cost about $8, and are not stainless, just painted, so you have to careful not to get them scratched or they will rust.
Only good for degassing in the primary plastic carboy tho' which everybody seems to be recommending. You have to be careful to keep the rotating end below the surface of the wine, or you can make foam forever.
Back to the WTF.
Ric