Corks (storage of)

[Elmer]

before bottling I have started putting my corks in a 1 gallon bucket with some K-meta.
This has allowed me to swirl the corks around and get them nicely sanitized.
any of the corks that did not get used ended up being left in the bucket.
I went to rack last night and had to bottle 3 bottle. I opened up the bucket to find out that the few remaining corks we soaked on the underside from their time in the bucket.

I opted not to use these corks since 1/2 the cork was soaked with K-meta sanitizing solution.

So this brings up the question of how do people store their corks?
I used to leave them in a zip locked bag, but after 1 year what corks I did not use dried up.

would I be able to use the super wet corks without issue?

any ideas or suggestion on storage?

 

[Boatboy24]

Take a bucket with a lid. Put a small bottle inside with some KMeta in it. Put the corks in the bucket with the bottle and seal with the lid. The KMeta fumes keep them sanitized without soaking.

 

[Rocky]

Elmer, I buy corks in 1000 quantity bags and then break them down into 100's and put them in ZipLoc bags. Before sealing the bag, I squeeze out as much of the air as possible. When I open a bag to use, I put however many I need into my "corkerator" and use them. I occasionally spritz the into the bag with a mist of K-meta. No problems so far and 1000 last me about a year or so with the wine I make and the corks I give away.

 

[Turock]

I think corks should be stored dry. And there is really no need to "sanitize" corks before you use them. However, you might find that your corker pushes the cork in better if the cork is wet. If this is the case, you can toss them into some meta solution for this purpose. Any unused corks, just let them dry completely and return them to the plastic bag they came in. There is no need to get anal about santizing corks.

 

[Tom_S]

I agree. Soaking them in K-Meta solution just before bottling should kill any nasties.

 

[Rocky]

I would caution against "soaking" if by that you mean submersing them in K-meta. K-meta works to kill the nasties by the gas that is emitted. That is why many of us use a "corkerator" in which the K-meta is kept from the corks by various means and the gasses do the work.

 

[Runningwolf]

Soaking your corks in meta will lead to early breakdown of them.

 

[bkisel]

I want to believe so bad that corks need only be left dry in some container (e.g. zip lock bag) that keeps stuff out and that they can be used without sanitizing. However, to be on the safe side I've become a corkadore convert.

Used to dip my corks in k-meta when I was using my hand corker but since this last Christmas when I received an Italian Floor Corker I've kept my corks dry. Don't want k-meta getting into the iris.

 

[Boatboy24]

All right, someone has to do it...

https://screen.yahoo.com/cork-soakers-000000587.html

 

[Runningwolf]

I want to believe so bad that corks need only be left dry in some container (e.g. zip lock bag) that keeps stuff out and that they can be used without sanitizing. However, to be on the safe side I've become a corkadore convert.

Used to dip my corks in k-meta when I was using my hand corker but since this last Christmas when I received an Italian Floor Corker I've kept my corks dry. Don't want k-meta getting into the iris.

Bill, commercially they go from bag to corker. Personally, buying a thousand at a time at home I think like you. Keep them dry but store in a corkadore.

 

[Paulietivo]

Boatboy, lol!

 

[sour_grapes]

All right, someone has to do it...

https://screen.yahoo.com/cork-soakers-000000587.html

You know, I just watched that again, thanks to you, and it struck me how much care went into the set for a 5-minute piece. Barrels labelled "Brunello," "Nebbiolo," and "Barolo." Arched doorways with arched doors. Rustic decor, etc. Surprising when I think about it.

 

[JMK]

Does anyone steam the corks before using?

 

[tonyt]

I bought 1000 corks and sealed in sets of 40 with a vacuum food saver. Then I lightly spritz with sanitizer prior to using.

 

[cajunlte]

Tony T, You ever tasted the local wine from Bruno and George from Sour Lake up the road? All they do are dessert wines. Very good stuff and one that I would love to eventually duplicate.

 

[Runningwolf]

Does anyone steam the corks before using?

doing so will lead to early breakdown of them. Just stick them in dry if you have a floor corker.

 

[Floandgary]

CONSIDER!!!!! All of the corks in the world sitting on store shelves and in warehouses yet unsold have never even heard of K-meta!!! LOL
Bathing them in a sani-solution at bottling is sufficient and makes corking easier!! IMHO! "NO CORK-SOAKERS NEEDED"

 

[cooldood]

I soak mine in Starsan. I am inserting them manually. so a little lube helps

 

[tonyt]

Tony T, You ever tasted the local wine from Bruno and George from Sour Lake up the road? All they do are dessert wines. Very good stuff and one that I would love to eventually duplicate.

No, I'm not big on sweet wine and I believe they mostly (only) do fruit (non grape) wine.