To Rack, or Leave Alone?

[kggilbertson]

Working on my first batch, from a kit, riesling/gewurtztraminer. So far, all has gone along ok, (I think). It has now been in the carboy 11 days, and has cleared up quite well. It is a 42 day kit, and the instructions say that after 10 days in the carboy an optional racking may be done. There is perhaps an inch of whitish sediment on the bottom of the carboy. So I was wondering, should I do a transfer to the fermenter, and then back into the carboy to get rid of this sediment, or simply leave well enough alone for another month or so, til bottling time? Oh the joys of being a beginner.

 

[Runningwolf]

Rack now and get off the sediment. If you wanted to you could carefully tip the carboy and put a 2x4 under one side so it sits tipped. Wait several days for the sediment to slide down to the lower end. Now keep your racking cane on the side that is tipped up, allowing you to rack off more wine and less sediment.

 

[bkisel]

I would rack it. Maybe because you're racking back and forth some k-meta should be added but I'm new to this and don't know for certain.

 

[midnightsolace]

I would rack it, too. Honestly, I would rack it the day of bottling if there's any noticeable sediment, but that's because I'm crazy like that and don't want to accidentally bottle any previously precipitated sediment. =) I agree with bkisel too: add k-meta if you're going to rack. I forget exact amounts, but something like 1/4 teaspoon for a 5 gallon carboy. Heap a little extra if it's a 6 gallon.

 

[jamesngalveston]

what running wolf said ...rack and get a wedge are something to tilt it...
less sediment , more wine...for sure.

 

[RCGoodin]

Working on my first batch, from a kit, riesling/gewurtztraminer. So far, all has gone along ok, (I think). It has now been in the carboy 11 days, and has cleared up quite well. It is a 42 day kit, and the instructions say that after 10 days in the carboy an optional racking may be done. There is perhaps an inch of whitish sediment on the bottom of the carboy. So I was wondering, should I do a transfer to the fermenter, and then back into the carboy to get rid of this sediment, or simply leave well enough alone for another month or so, til bottling time? Oh the joys of being a beginner.

You can rack to your fermenting bucket and then back to your carboy. I'd recommend that you buy another carboy and rack back and forth from carboy to carboy. Oh yeah, leave the sediment behind as best you can.