Bentonite

[Rocky]

I would like to know if anyone has a good method for dissolving bentonite in water as is commonly used in the first step of preparing a wine from a kit. Is there any way to reduce the clumps of "mud" produced in this step.

I recall years ago one of the kit producers had a bentonite that dissolved immediately without clumping. I don't recall which company that was. It could have been Cellar Craft because I used them at the time. Does anyone remember this? The bentonite I get in Wine Expert and RJ Spagnols forms the clumps which are a real PITA.

 

[Ohio Bob]

I would like to know if anyone has a good method for dissolving bentonite in water as is commonly used in the first step of preparing a wine from a kit. Is there any way to reduce the clumps of "mud" produced in this step.

I recall years ago one of the kit producers had a bentonite that dissolved immediately without clumping. I don't recall which company that was. It could have been Cellar Craft because I used them at the time. Does anyone remember this? The bentonite I get in Wine Expert and RJ Spagnols forms the clumps which are a real PITA.

I snagged a few magnetic stir plates out of the dumpster at work, back in the day. They work great. Bentonite in warm water will dissolve in about 5-10 minutes. That would be my recommendation.

 

[Hazelemere]

Bentonite doesn't dissolve but it will disperse evenly in really hot water in a blender after a few minutes.

 

[winemaker81]

This method works for me:

https://wine.bkfazekas.com/using-bentonite-in-winemaking/

 

[BPL]

IMHO, bentonite is clearly misunderstood. Most likely, not understood because there are so many options to using it, the types of bentonite differ, how it affects both particulates, how it affects proteins for various amounts.

Ranges of bentonite can be from 0.5g/L to 3.0g/L. The effectiveness is directly related to HOW IT IS HYDRATED and THE LENGTH OF HYDRATION.

To directly answer your question, my best experiences to hydrate bentonite is just the opposite of what kit manufacturers have in their directions.

First, I estimate the what I will use bentonite for: proteins (aka, pectin) or for fining. If for fining, I leave it out, that comes post fermentation. If for proteins, I determine (guess) how much may be in the must. For grape/white wines, not as much as some country wines.

Second, I weigh the amount given in the kit. A recent 6 gallon WE white wine kit had 30 grams of bentonite.

Third, use established quantity guide lines from documented sources.

Fourth, I DO NOT USE HOT WATER and hydrate for a minimum of 12 hours before it's aded to the must. Most instances I gently sprinkle bentonite in room temperature distilled water (about 100ml to 150ml) in a sanitized jar with an air tight lid. Then I shake the jar hard for 1 to 2 minutes. I keep it handy and mix/shake about every hour or so for about a minute and let sit overnight. If any small clumps remain after 3-4 hours, I use a spoon to smash against the side of the jar and shake again. The result when ready to add to the must is a creamy slurry with zero clumps.

As for the workings of clearing kit white wines, it appears that hydrating effectively with 1/2 as much bentonite included in kits, produces less stripping of color, cleaner ferments, and retention of flavors. Yes, bentonite will strip color and flavors if used in excess!

For your reading pleasure, here are two sources of information:

Bentonite 101
https://scottlab.com/bentonite-clarification-heat-protein-stabilization

Fermenting on Bentonite
https://scottlab.com/fermenting-on-bentonite

Happy reading,
Barry

 

[bstnh1]

I dissolve it in about a gallon of very warm water and use a stainless steel whisk to stir it while adding it to the water. I learned the hard way that you do not want to add boiling water to a PET carboy!

 

[winemaker81]

Fourth, I DO NOT USE HOT WATER and hydrate for a minimum of 12 hours before it's aded to the must.

I used the hot water method, as noted in my bentonite white paper. I will read the Scott docs.

Kits include WAY too much bentonite. From my own experiences, following kit instructions has most of the bentonite dropping immediately to the bottom of the carboy. So the vendors include enough to actually work, as few newbies are going to make a slurry, regardless if it's 1 hour or 12 to make it.

I checked my notes, as I'm doing a bentonite test on carboys of Chardonnel and Vidal. My test is to see how much (if any) difference using bentonite post-fermentation makes, which is not the point of this thread, but my method may help.

https://wine.bkfazekas.com/2024-wines-in-detail/#L2025-01-19

I go light on fining agents as too much will strip something. In this case, I used about 1 tsp bentonite per carboy.

 

[BPL]

I would like to know if anyone has a good method for dissolving bentonite in water as is commonly used in the first step of preparing a wine from a kit. Is there any way to reduce the clumps of "mud" produced in this step.

I recall years ago one of the kit producers had a bentonite that dissolved immediately without clumping. I don't recall which company that was. It could have been Cellar Craft because I used them at the time. Does anyone remember this? The bentonite I get in Wine Expert and RJ Spagnols forms the clumps which are a real PITA.

Some of the best books and information on the planet are written by Daniel Pambianchi. I have "Techniques in Home Winemaking". Section 5.2.1, page 261 has detailed information about the method and quantity of bentonite to use. I am sure his other books has similar information. https://techniquesinhomewinemaking.com/winemaking-books/

If you want to pick up additional information in the "pearls of wisdom" format, let the computer search for you. Use the search function in the Scott Labs handbook using the term "bentonite".

 

[AFW]

I use a Ball jar. Fill with appropriate amount of water place in microwave ( WITH OUT THE LIDS ) for a minute or two. Add the appropriate amount of Bentonite and place lid on tight and shake till dissolved. Works for me.

 

[BPL]

I use a Ball jar. Fill with appropriate amount of water place in microwave ( WITH OUT THE LIDS ) for a minute or two. Add the appropriate amount of Bentonite and place lid on tight and shake till dissolved. Works for me.

Yup, it's definitely getting wet.