How much k-meta in airlock?

[ajhughes]

Question for you folks...

I've heard a lot of people talk about putting k-meta solution in the airlock. The Spagnol kit I just started made reference to this, as mild sulphite solution. Question is, what ratio of water to k-meta do you guys use? The same for addition to wine? or something stronger, like you'd use to sanitize?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[winemaker_3352]

3 tbsp per gallon of k-meta to make a sanitizer solution.

1/4 tsp when adding it to 6 gallons of wine

 

[JohnT]

Yup, Agree with above.

 

[djrockinsteve]

Sometimes after 6 months of aging I remove the lid from the airlock and drop in a few grains of sulfite.

Like Jon said that would be fine. You want to just start to smell it but don't inhail the fumes, just get a light whiff.

 

[BobF]

The ratio I use for airlocks is zero sulfite to plain water. Never a problem.

 

[Runningwolf]

I also use sanitizing strength in my airlocks.

 

[Dugger]

I use the sanitizing strength as well, and when the level gets low I simply spritz some more in with my spray bottle to top it up.

 

[djrockinsteve]

The ratio I use for airlocks is zero sulfite to plain water. Never a problem.

I use to do that but aging a year the water would get low in those airlocks with loose fitting caps (red ones). Now I keep an eye on it and if I think about it I drop a grain or two in midstream.

To each his own.

 

[Teamsterjohn]

Every 3 months that im aging my wine I add the 1/4 tsp of sulfite to my wine, and also replace the sulfite in the airlock. Its like adding new batties everytime 6 months to you smoke alarm.

 

[djrockinsteve]

Do you check the sulfite levels in the wine when you do?

 

[Runningwolf]

Do you check the sulfite levels in the wine when you do?

Thats a New Years resolution. In two years of wine making I have never checked it. But I did add 1/4 tsp every three months. If it had only been two months and I was bottling I would give it another light 1/4 tsp.

 

[ajhughes]

Thanks for all the replies. Exactly what I was looking for. As always a couple different perspectives, but that's what I love about places like this. You can evaluate the reasons given for different approaches and make your own decision.

Thanks again all!