Floating Junk ….. Is This Ok?

[Dave_W]

Strawberry Watermelon Racked to this jug August 31, has some “gunk” at the top. I just noticed today that my airlock had lost enough star San to expose the wine to some potential oxygen.



Is this “normal” or is it something growing because of oxygen?

pH was 3.8 when racked and ABV was 10.5%.

I did not dose with any sulfites at racking, I have since learned that I probably should be. My notes from racking indicate it had floaties prior to racking, which looked like residual watermelon pulp.

 

[winemaker81]

That looks like yeast residue. Nothing to worry about. Oxidation is a slow process, so it's unlikely that O2 is your problem.

Add K-meta. One option for small batches is to dissolve 1/4 tsp K-meta in 5 to 6 Tbsp water, then add 1 Tbsp of the solution to each jug.

I use water in airlocks. It doesn't matter what anyone uses, as long as there is sufficient liquid to block air.

Check your airlocks at least weekly. When the liquid in one is getting low, I replace it and the stopper. The used airlocks and stopper soak in One Step and are dried prior to next use.

 

[Dave_W]

That looks like yeast residue. Nothing to worry about. Oxidation is a slow process, so it's unlikely that O2 is your problem.

Add K-meta. One option for small batches is to dissolve 1/4 tsp K-meta in 5 to 6 Tbsp water, then add 1 Tbsp of the solution to each jug.

I use water in airlocks. It doesn't matter what anyone uses, as long as there is sufficient liquid to block air.

Check your airlocks at least weekly. When the liquid in one is getting low, I replace it and the stopper. The used airlocks and stopper soak in One Step and are dried prior to next use.

Thank you, I plan to rack it this weekend to a new jug so I’ll add the K-Meta during the racking.