What exactly are Camden tablets for?

[JerryF]

This will sound really stupid but you know what? For the life of me it eludes me as to what camden tablets are? what are they used for? and, when would you use them in the process anyway? I've been using k-meta but one of the stores I was in the other day tried to sell me a 2.5 lb. bag of camden tablets for $5.00. I didn't take it. Jerry

 

[JohnT]

It is k-meta in pill form.

Use for basic sanitation and also stabilization of wine.

 

[JerryF]

It is k-meta in pill form.

Use for basic sanitation and also stabilization of wine.

Thanks John. Wasn't sure it was that simple.

 

[JohnT]

A lot of folks like them because they are pretty much pre-meassured. Not sure exactly what that measurement might be.

 

[winemaker_3352]

1 tablet = 1/16 tsp of k-meta.

 

[Minnesotamaker]

Campden tablets are great for making small batches. The problem with K-meta in powdered form is that a 5 gallon recipe may call for 1/4 tsp of k-meta. If you're converting the recipe to 1 gallon, you'd need 1/5 of 1/4 tsp (or 1/20 tsp). These small measures can be difficult. A campden tablet is essentially 1/20 tsp plus some inert ingredients. Campden tablets are easy because you just use one tablet per gallon. Now if can see the problem if you were making a 500 gallon batch of wine, you'd be counting and crushing tablets all day.

 

[JohnT]

Jerry,

FYI, That was not a stupid question.

 

[g8keeper]

i still don't necessarily see the sense of using campden tablets, as they have to be crushed anyways....seems much simpler to just measure out powder dosages....just my opinion...

 

[DoctorCAD]

i still don't necessarily see the sense of using campden tablets, as they have to be crushed anyways....seems much simpler to just measure out powder dosages....just my opinion...

Heck, crushing 3 tabs for a 6 gallon batch takes less time that even finding a scale and screwing around with pouring out and measuring powder.

They are perfect for small batch and kit winemakers.

 

[deboard]

I think that campden tablets can be Sodium Metabisulfite as well.

 

[saramc]

I think that campden tablets can be Sodium Metabisulfite as well.

Yes, they can, just as the granules are available with potassium or sodium base. Some people do not like using the Campden tabs because some brands tend to leave a residue in your wine, even if you crush/dissolve, etc. There are some advertised as 'no residue'. Has to do with the compounding process more than likely. Also, Campden tabs are typically produced in two different strengths.

Came across this entry here: http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f86/campden-tablets-18635/

"...at my local winemaking shop today ... and noticed something interesting regarding campden tablets. The Crosby and Baker tablets indicate that one tablet adds about 30ppm of SO2 per gallon. The L.D. Carlson tablets indicate that one tablet contains 550mg of active sulfite. This would be about 80ppm of SO2 per gallon. I have seen references that the “standard” campden tablet contains 0.44g of potassium metabisulfite. This would be about 65ppm of SO2per gallon. A good reason to use metabisulfite powder."