Causes

[Vlabruz]

I have a wine bulk aging. I went to check it today and I noticed the airlock full of wine. It is a kit and it is stabilized. Could very little head space do that? Will the wine expand going from a cooler temp to a warmer temp?

 

[vinny]

I have a wine bulk aging. I went to check it today and I noticed the airlock full of wine. It is a kit and it is stabilized. Could very little head space do that? Will the wine expand going from a cooler temp to a warmer temp?

Likely just temperature change. Was it cooler when you racked to your current vessel?

I noted a significant amount of expansion in my wines. I left an inch or so and after a few weeks and only a couple degrees temperature increase they were pretty well touching the bung.

 

[winemaker81]

The larger the volume of wine, the greater chance the wine will expand beyond that small headspace

 

[Vlabruz]

Likely just temperature change. Was it cooler when you racked to your current vessel?

I noted a significant amount of expansion in my wines. I left an inch or so and after a few weeks and only a couple degrees temperature increase they were pretty well touching the bung.

Definitely what happened than. Its fine to leave or should I clean out the air lock and add vodka back?

 

[heatherd]

Definitely what happened than. Its fine to leave or should I clean out the air lock and add vodka back?

I just use water in the airlocks.

 

[winemaker81]

Definitely what happened than. Its fine to leave or should I clean out the air lock and add vodka back?

Clean the airlock, as it is a place where mold can grow.

Like @heatherd, I use water. I check airlocks weekly and swap them periodically.

 

[Ohio Bob]

After a few times my airlocks getting cloudy, I stopped using water/Kmeta. Now just Everclear.

 

[BigDaveK]

Temperature will certainly affect the density of the wine.
So will barometric pressure. Watch out for that stormy weather!

 

[vinny]

Clean the airlock, as it is a place where mold can grow.

Like @heatherd, I use water. I check airlocks weekly and swap them periodically.

Really? I'm shocked. I just changed to K-meta.

When I first heard people were using k-meta or vodka I thought it was silly. Over the top, water is a fine barrier. I pulled an airlock once and somehow some water pulled back into the carboy. Now that I am getting up to the 3 month rotation in adding K-meta I noticed some of the air locks were slimy when I rinsed them out. SO, I started adding k-meta. I didn't want anything that could contaminate the wine.

To me it was an 'Oh, that's why they do it' moment, and I just assumed most of you were.

 

[vinny]

Temperature will certainly affect the density of the wine.
So will barometric pressure. Watch out for that stormy weather!

That's something I am going to pay attention to. They say if you don't like the weather in Alberta, wait 10 minutes. Thundershowers pop up out of nowhere, and often.

I'm gonna have to have a looksee, just to see.

 

[FlamingoEmporium]

After a few times my airlocks getting cloudy, I stopped using water/Kmeta. Now just Everclear.

I use dark rum. It’s easier for my old eyes to see it. Plus I drink a lot of it so I always have it on hand.

 

[heatherd]

I use water because it won't impact the wine if absorbed into the wine, isn't messy for airlock blow-outs, and doesn't have an odor.

 

[winemaker81]

Now that I am getting up to the 3 month rotation in adding K-meta I noticed some of the air locks were slimy when I rinsed them out. SO, I started adding k-meta. I didn't want anything that coul

Airlocks can get slimy with K-meta solution.

I swap them out monthly or bi-monthly, and check water levels weekly. I learned to do this the hard way.

 

[vinny]

Airlocks can get slimy with K-meta solution.

I swap them out monthly or bi-monthly, and check water levels weekly. I learned to do this the hard way.

Back to the drawing board..

Just when you think you have something figured out.

 

[Jusatele]

Airlocks
I think they are a learning curve
keep an eye on them
use water
swap them out frequently
those are all good advice
My advice is to keep learning, I have done some stupid stuff like not checking my airlocks before going on a 3 week vacation.

 

[Vlabruz]

I will say the 3 piece ones require more attention. They can dry out much faster I've learned. I prefer the s style

 

[BigDaveK]

I will say the 3 piece ones require more attention. They can dry out much faster I've learned. I prefer the s style

I agree.
A quick look at the 3-piece can give the impression there's enough liquid when there actually isn't. Definitely needs more attention.

 

[winemaker81]

Each style has its proponents, all for good reasons. I prefer 3 piece as they are easier to clean.

And in the last couple of years, I've switched to vented bungs for bulk adding, which eliminates the, "what do I fill it with?" question.

 

[BigDaveK]

Each style has its proponents, all for good reasons. I prefer 3 piece as they are easier to clean.

And in the last couple of years, I've switched to vented bungs for bulk adding, which eliminates the, "what do I fill it with?" question.

I agree, again!
They are SO much easier to clean.
As long as they work I don't really care. ALTHOUGH, I'll grab the s-type first because I like to watch the bubbles.

 

[wineview]

Airlocks can get slimy with K-meta solution.

I swap them out monthly or bi-monthly, and check water levels weekly. I learned to do this the hard way.

What about StarSan? Slimy?