How exactly does the mesh bag work?

[abefroman]

I haven't made a non-juice wine before, when using the mesh bag, do you leave it open a the top, and then the lid holds it down?

Do I want to break apart the cap on this daily during primary?

TIA

 

[Wade E]

You put the fruit in it and tie it so that all your fruit doenst escape but also trying to leave it as loose as possible so that the fruit can get exposed to the enzymes and break down better.

 

[PPBart]

I select an appropriately sized and sanitized bag (e.g., 1-gal vs 5-gal), place the fruit inside, close the bag with a sanitized plastic clip, and toss it into the primary. Usually the bag and contents will float at the surface, so I make sure to punch it down several times per day.

 

[Tom]

yep, all above will work.

I use a "zip" electrical tie

 

[Larryh86GT]

I been just tying a knot in the bag.

 

[winemaker_3352]

I just tie a knot in the bag.

 

[abefroman]

yep, all above will work.

I use a "zip" electrical tie

I swear by zip ties. I literally by thousands a year.

 

[Sirs]

I still can't figure why you all use the bags during fermentation whats wrong with leaving the fruit loose then strain into one of the bags at first racking thats what I do. It's really easy just put fruit in fermenter then rack into bag and squeeze however hard you want.

 

[Ken914]

I still can't figure why you all use the bags during fermentation whats wrong with leaving the fruit loose then strain into one of the bags at first racking thats what I do. It's really easy just put fruit in fermenter then rack into bag and squeeze however hard you want.

I tried that once... straining through the mesh was just a mess. The pulp would clog the bag and make straining a PITA. When I poured to strain, it exposed the entire must to open air.

Putting fruit in the bag is neater and easier for me. Punching down the bag twice a day is no great chore.

 

[Wade E]

Well, I dont understand why you would not use one during and then proceed to dirty up a bag after not using one before, why dirty it now?

 

[frohe]

I still can't figure why you all use the bags during fermentation whats wrong with leaving the fruit loose then strain into one of the bags at first racking thats what I do. It's really easy just put fruit in fermenter then rack into bag and squeeze however hard you want.

I geuss it comes down to whatever makes you happy as long as all the pulp is removed when you move over to the secondary. Me, I use a bag now. I did a couple batches (peach and blueberry) the other way; what a mess getting it all strained out of the way.

 

[kirbyclk]

I tie a knot in the bag and put it into the primary. Once a day I squeeze the bag to make sure I get all of the juice out.

 

[Tom]

I tie a knot in the bag and put it into the primary. Once a day I squeeze the bag to make sure I get all of the juice out.

Really no need to squeeze the bag as long as you put the proper amt of Pectic enzyme. Once its time to remove the bag I still would not squeeze the bag. Just let it drain.

 

[abefroman]

Really no need to squeeze the bag as long as you put the proper amt of Pectic enzyme. Once its time to remove the bag I still would not squeeze the bag. Just let it drain.

What's pectic enzyme? And how do I use it?

 

[Tom]

Pectic enzyme will break down the cellular walls of the fruit thus making it easier for the yeast to EAT the sugars.
It "MUST" be added to all wines other from a kit or juice.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Really no need to squeeze the bag as long as you put the proper amt of Pectic enzyme. Once its time to remove the bag I still would not squeeze the bag. Just let it drain.

Is squeezing the bag detrimental to the must? Make it cloudy and therefore it will take longer to clear? Maybe imparts a bad taste?

Larry

 

[Tom]

Is squeezing the bag detrimental to the must? Make it cloudy and therefore it will take longer to clear? Maybe imparts a bad taste?

Larry

Yes mostly TRUE.
It will cloud up the wine and will take longer to clear.
Its possible to leave bad taste depending on whats in the bag.
I just let it drip in a sanitized colander. There really isn't that much left once you let it drain by itself.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Thanks Tom. Just a couple days ago I squeezed the mesh bag of plum I have going and it did cloud up the must. I have a second batch that I will just let the mesh bag drain. In the summer the fruit flies would be all over it though.

Larry

 

[Runningwolf]

Thanks Tom. Just a couple days ago I squeezed the mesh bag of plum I have going and it did cloud up the must. I have a second batch that I will just let the mesh bag drain. In the summer the fruit flies would be all over it though.

Larry

I think we need to work in smaller areas with heavy enough ventilation to suck the fruit flies out of the room.

 

[Luc]

I just use nylon stockings and tie a knot in the end.

I press them slightly when transferring to secondary.

No cleaning, and dead cheap.

I even have a small aid for filling the stockings:
http://wijnmaker.blogspot.com/2007/08/nylon-kous-hulpje-nylonstockings-suit.html

Luc