Made several kits, time to start with grapes - cue the stupid questions

[waygorked]

Greetings,

I have made several kits now, and want to step up the quality ladder. What are the preferred sources for juice buckets? Is there any appreciable difference in quality between them?

What about kit size? It looks like all the juice buckets I see are 5 gallon, but all of my carboys are 6 gallon/27L. Does that mean replacing equipment?

 

[pjd]

Greetings,

I have made several kits now, and want to step up the quality ladder. What are the preferred sources for juice buckets? Is there any appreciable difference in quality between them?

What about kit size? It looks like all the juice buckets I see are 5 gallon, but all of my carboys are 6 gallon/27L. Does that mean replacing equipment?

I buy Luva Bella juice buckets which are 6 gallons. I dont know where you are located but the Luva Bella buckets are distributed all over Ohio and Pennsylvania. I am happy with the quality.

 

[bkisel]

While you're hunting down those grapes why not start a batch of Skeeter Pee or Dragon blood? Personally I think they'd be the next step up from kits before tackling grapes. Good luck!

 

[JohnT]

I would think that the only new equipment you need is a couple of 1 gallon jugs (with stoppers and locks).

 

[barbl72]

Started my first Luva Bella wine bucket tonight... Do I just leave the lid on without clamping it down? Won't it overflow? Help please?

 

[tmmii]

Leave it like you have it.


Sent from my iPhone using Wine Making

 

[vernsgal]

I don't use the lid. I dampen a towel and put that over the pail.

 

[nicklausjames]

Mosti mondiale juice is 6 gallons I believe. If you are doing a red you should add some crushed grapes, skins or a grape pack because a lot of a red wine derives various traits from fermenting on the skins.

If you are doing fresh grapes you will at least need a crusher. Usually you can find a used hand one for $100. You will also need a press. In the long run better to buy one but in the short run you can search online and make cheap versions. You will need to measure the brix and ph so you will need a ph meter and hydrometer.

I believe the kits and juice do this for you but I would think it is still good to monitor with juice or a kit.

I would think a kit and juice would be fairly similar. Just purchase the additives with the juice. It's the fresh grapes or must that is a step up in terms of equipment and work put in.

 

[cintipam]

Barb, I understand your fear. My luvabella buckets were so full that I used a 10 gal brute, and on one that I added a lot of berries too even that was not enuf. Those buckets were within less than an inch from the top. Honestly, I would split out some of the juice into a second fermenter. Otherwise you will prob overflow when the yeast starts working. If you don't, and choose a low foaming yeast, you will spill when stirring enough to mix in air. Luckily I had empty LB buckets from last year to split out the no fruit buckets, and a couple 2-3 gallon ones from local bakeries to hold the overflow from the 10 gal brutes plus fruit.

How has other folks LuvaBella buckets been this year? Mine were almost over full, and my whites were very slow to start fermenting even using my own yeast. Got a call from my LBH that the whites weren't starting well, but they and I both assumed it was the yeast that was supposed to come in the bucket that was slow. My own yeast of choice (QA23 and D47) were also slower than usual.

Pam in cinti

 

[barbl72]

Thanks all! I have two regular 7 gallon buckets and am thinking of pouring the whole thing in them - they are starting to bubble (it's only been 24 hours and it's cool in the house). I have heat on them now so figure they will explode soon. Any more advice?