Testing Kmeta

[wineview]

When I mix a bottle of Star San and keep it for a while, I can always look at the PH to check the viability of the solution. Is there a way to check a potassium Metabisulphite solution to make sure it is still a sanitizing agent?

 

[winemaker81]

My understanding is the gaseous SO2 is the actual sanitizing agent, not the liquid. As long as it reeks and the liquid is clear and mostly free of chunks, I keep re-using it. When a gallon gets down to about half, or it doesn't look good, I replace it. In general this is about every 6 months, although I've used it up sooner. A few times I've kept a jug for 12 months, and it reeked as badly the day I dumped it as the day I made it.

For safety, never sniff ANY chemical mixture. Waft your hand over the mouth of the jug towards your nose and sniff very lightly. If the K-meta reeks, the gaseous SO2 is certainly present.

NEVER sniff deeply of K-meta, as it will burn your lungs!!! I run a fan when using it, and open the windows if the season and weather allows.

I should probably switch to Star San, but habit keeps me using K-meta.

 

[wineview]

My understanding is the gaseous SO2 is the actual sanitizing agent, not the liquid. As long as it reeks and the liquid is clear and mostly free of chunks, I keep re-using it. When a gallon gets down to about half, or it doesn't look good, I replace it. In general this is about every 6 months, although I've used it up sooner. A few times I've kept a jug for 12 months, and it reeked as badly the day I dumped it as the day I made it.

For safety, never sniff ANY chemical mixture. Waft your hand over the mouth of the jug towards your nose and sniff very lightly. If the K-meta reeks, the gaseous SO2 is certainly present.

NEVER sniff deeply of K-meta, as it will burn your lungs!!! I run a fan when using it, and open the windows if the season and weather allows.

I should probably switch to Star San, but habit keeps me using K-meta.

Thanks. I am familiar with the smell and wouldn’t dare sniff directly.

 

[winemaker81]

Thanks. I am familiar with the smell and wouldn’t dare sniff directly.

I expected that.

While replying directly to you, I'm also writing for everyone else who will read this thread. I used to make the joke, "sniff deeply -- if you're still alive the K-meta has gone bad", but I'm cautious about saying that as someone will try it! Instead of the Tide Pod Challenge, we'll have idiots trying the "K-meta Challenge"!


I find there's no shortage of folks in competition for a Darwin Award.

 

[wineview]

I expected that.

While replying directly to you, I'm also writing for everyone else who will read this thread. I used to make the joke, "sniff deeply -- if you're still alive the K-meta has gone bad", but I'm cautious about saying that as someone will try it! Instead of the Tide Pod Challenge, we'll have idiots trying the "K-meta Challenge"!


I find there's no shortage of folks in competition for a Darwin Award.

While we are on the subject, I have seen wine makers spray and rinse. Which seems in my mind to defeat the purpose of using a sanitizer in the first place, or spray and let air dry for 5-10 minutes. What is your practice?

 

[winemaker81]

While we are on the subject, I have seen wine makers spray and rinse.

I just shake off the excess. Rinsing seems counterproductive.

 

[wineview]

I just shake off the excess. Rinsing seems counterproductive.

Agreed

 

[mikewatkins727]

I expected that.

While replying directly to you, I'm also writing for everyone else who will read this thread. I used to make the joke, "sniff deeply -- if you're still alive the K-meta has gone bad", but I'm cautious about saying that as someone will try it! Instead of the Tide Pod Challenge, we'll have idiots trying the "K-meta Challenge"!


I find there's no shortage of folks in competition for a Darwin Award.

But Brian, how else are going to clean up the gene pool?

 

[winemaker81]

But Brian, how else are going to clean up the gene pool?

Hasn't things like the Tide Pod Challenge made you realize that the pool is self-cleaning???


Ya know, I did some amazingly stupid things as a child, teenager, and young adult -- but eating laundry detergent never would have crossed my mind.

OTOH, folk may not realize how strong K-meta fumes are -- but after making that mistake once, they'd (hopefully) not do it twice.

 

[mikewatkins727]

OTOH, folk may not realize how strong K-meta fumes are -- but after making that mistake once, they'd (hopefully) not do it twice.

Been there . . . done that! (Gagged for 4-5 minutes)