K-Meta Storage

[DirtyDawg10]

Thought I would put this out there in case anyone else was wondering. I pre-make my Potassium Metabisulfite sanitizing solution in a half gallon growler. Well this growler has a metal cap on it. The coating must have had a slight nick in it and when I went to use my K-meta on Friday morning it had eaten a hole right through the cap. I couldn't believe it. Time for a solid bung I guess. Keep your K-meta away from metal

 

[Wade E]

Yeah, kmeta and exposure to metal for long terms is a no no!It will also eat through thin plastic like milk gallon jugs within like 2 months in full strength form meaning the 3 tbls per gallon we use for sanitizing.

 

[bob1]

Yep My LHBS only had metal screw caps. I tried one it went pretty quick. I do store my hydrometer in the plastic case in came in half full of sanitizing solution. The new one is about 2 years old and the case is holding up alright.

 

[ejiang]

Yeah, kmeta and exposure to metal for long terms is a no no!It will also eat through thin plastic like milk gallon jugs within like 2 months in full strength form meaning the 3 tbls per gallon we use for sanitizing.

Hi Wade

Does it mean that the kmeta solution being stored actually has the plastic solution in it? So we have to rinse it off the hands and utentils before touching the wine? I know dissolved plastic is very dangerous!

 

[TonyP]

I'm interested in other responses to this. My understanding is that K-meta can pass through soft plastics (causing microscopic gaps in the plastic), rather than actually reacting with the plastic. Eventually, however, tiny pieces of plastic will find their way into the solution. I believe that by the time this happens the k-meta has been weakened to the point of being ineffective and should be discarded anyway.

Rule of thumb, don't store k-meta in a plastic spray bottle for more than a few months.
Tony P.

 

[bob1]

I think it also depends on the plastic. I keep fresh sanitizing solution , k meta, in the case that it came with it has not ate through it in a year or better. I used to keep a spoon in a cheaper plastic and it did not last long.

 

[Ricky]

Hello everyone..... I'm starting my kit tonight ..... It has grape skins and oak... My question is.. will it be ok to sanitize my spoon and my hydrometer in a bucket..... By leaving about an inch or so of sodium meta or potassium meta in a closed bucket ..... For a bout a week give or take a day..... Opening up twice a day to push down my grape skins and oak bag....oh, how do you prepare the straining bag..... Throw it in the bucket out of the solution.... Only using the vapors?.... Thanks

 

[TonyP]

Hello everyone..... I'm starting my kit tonight ..... It has grape skins and oak... My question is.. will it be ok to sanitize my spoon and my hydrometer in a bucket..... By leaving about an inch or so of sodium meta or potassium meta in a closed bucket ..... For a bout a week give or take a day..... Opening up twice a day to push down my grape skins and oak bag....oh, how do you prepare the straining bag..... Throw it in the bucket out of the solution.... Only using the vapors?.... Thanks

Sorry, Ricky, but I'm not fully understanding your questions. First, make certain everything is clean. You can sanitize the equipment in a closed bucket with k-meta, but not with the k-meta covering the equipment. K-meta sanitizes by fumes, not by direct contact with the equipment. The best way is to put the equipment in the bucket loosely and also put a bowl of k-meta in the bucket, which will sanitize as it evaporates and gives off fumes. Only a few hours or, perhaps, a day would be plenty of time to get the k-meta to evaporate sufficiently and sanitize as the fumes sanitize in about 6 minutes. Then clean the equipment after each use and put them back in the bucket to re-sanitize.

Prepare the straining bag by boiling for about 10 minutes. Let it cool, then sanitize for a few minutes, dump in the skins and oak and you're good to go.

No prep. is needed for the skins, but I'd sanitize the oak, as well.

By the way, which kit are you making?

Tony P.

 

[Brew and Wine Supply]

Thought I would put this out there in case anyone else was wondering. I pre-make my Potassium Metabisulfite sanitizing solution in a half gallon growler. Well this growler has a metal cap on it. The coating must have had a slight nick in it and when I went to use my K-meta on Friday morning it had eaten a hole right through the cap. I couldn't believe it. Time for a solid bung I guess. Keep your K-meta away from metal

As for the cap problem, this is why I brought these in: http://brewandwinesupply.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25_31&product_id=1091

 

[Ricky]

You can sanitize the equipment in a closed bucket with k-meta, but not with the k-meta covering the equipment. K-meta sanitizes by fumes, not by direct contact with the equipment. The best way is to put the equipment in the bucket loosely and also put a bowl of k-meta in the bucket, which will sanitize as it evaporates and gives off fumes. .....................Thanks tonyp....that`s kinda what i was thinking about ,but without the bowl....the bowl makes alot more sense.......does sodium meta act the same way? vapors.....oh, the kit i`m gonna try .....RJ Spangols,Cellar Classic Winery Series Super Tuscan.....

 

[Ricky]

ooppps screwed up that quote!!!lol

 

[TonyP]

You can sanitize the equipment in a closed bucket with k-meta, but not with the k-meta covering the equipment. K-meta sanitizes by fumes, not by direct contact with the equipment. The best way is to put the equipment in the bucket loosely and also put a bowl of k-meta in the bucket, which will sanitize as it evaporates and gives off fumes. .....................Thanks tonyp....that`s kinda what i was thinking about ,but without the bowl....the bowl makes alot more sense.......does sodium meta act the same way? vapors.....oh, the kit i`m gonna try .....RJ Spangols,Cellar Classic Winery Series Super Tuscan.....

I've got a Super Tuscan going and I'd have to say it's highly recommended. In terms of your question, it acts the same way, but most wine makers prefer k-meta to avoid sodium.

Tony P.

 

[Ricky]

I've got a Super Tuscan going and I'd have to say it's highly recommended. In terms of your question, it acts the same way, but most wine makers prefer k-meta to avoid sodium.

Tony P.

Thanks again TonyP...works with vapors not contact,and rinsing is optional....

 

[DirtyDawg10]

As for the cap problem, this is why I brought these in: http://brewandwinesupply.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25_31&product_id=1091

Good idea

 

[andy123]

I believe you guys are giving K-meta solution more diabolical potential than it really has. I can appreciate sulfer is corrosive to metals but I have sulphuric acid and muriatic acid in my shed. Both will blister skin on contact and both were sold and stored in plastic containers. And they've been there for years without incident.

 

[TonyP]

Andy:

Agreed. I keep k-meta solution in a spray bottle for weeks at a time. It depends on the plastic. But I wouldn't use it to sanitize metal.

Tony

 

[bstnh1]

I've seen a lot of comments about kmeta solution stored in plastic water jugs and eating through the plastic. I have done this for years, using a new bottle for each new batch, and never had a problem. I understand that the heavy plastic jugs used for Arizona Iced Tea are made from a plastic that is designed to stand up to acidic liquids. Has anyone used these jugs for storing kmeta solution with citric acid?

 

[Boatboy24]

I keep KMeta solution stored in a 1gallon plastic water bottle. Been using the same one for a few years and I haven't noticed any difference in the feel of the plastic in that bottle vs new bottles of water I buy. No acid in that water though.

 

[Rice_Guy]

“

I understand that the heavy plastic jugs used for Arizona Iced Tea are made from a plastic that is designed to stand up to acidic liquids. Has anyone used these jugs for storing kmeta solution with citric acid?

I don’t think the acid is the issue. The SO2 in the sanitizer is extremely reactive. It will cause corks from the wine toy store to expand (mushroom) and turn black.
Tea jugs sounds like a good answer. Even if you have to replace once a year.

 

[Johnd]

I keep mine in a 1 gallon glass jug with a solid silicone bung.