Christie Kiley on September 4, 2014 0 Comments If harvest is coming around or you’ve got some juice on order to make some wine, then it is time to start preparing for the days ahead. Even if you are pretty well-stocked on wine making equipment, it does not hurt to have a good look over everything or at least make sure you are not missing any piece of equipment where you might find yourself in a bind if you don’t have it. Here’s an extended basics list of what type of equipment you must have throughout the wine making process. At this time, it might not be bad to make a check list and ensure that you have all of the equipment you need. Make Sure Everything is Working Properly Once you are sure you have all the equipment, it is always a good idea to makes sure each piece is in good functioning condition. Of course, if anything is broken, it would be a good idea to replace it. If you use pumps, look over your hoses and make sure there are no leaks or breaks. If there is a leak in a hose, typically these are easy to repair. But say, if your fermentation bin is cracked that might cause some problems. Once your equipment is squared away and ready then you need to think about what you need for fermentation and other processing details. What yeasts do you need to order based on your product you are fermenting? Are you making red or white wines? Do you need any supplies for adding oak characteristics to your wine; staves, ingredient kits, corks or bottles, chemicals for sanitation. If you happen to have some of these items left over from even a previous vintage, check the expiration dates, just in case before you might notice too late. Clean & Sanitize Your Equipment So, now that you have checked off the check-list of all the equipment you need and made the necessary orders for any winemaking supplies, there are still some things you can do. Have you ever reached into a kitchen cabinet to get out a roasting pan or other cooking tool you have not used in a while? Maybe like that Belgian waffle maker or the crock pot. Even though it has not been in use, it still might be pretty dirty with fatty oil residues or dust that floats around in the kitchen air. You are not just going to go ahead and use it straight away. You have to wash it. Winemaking equipment will be the same, even if it is all kept in a fairly clean place. If you have your sanitation supplies on hand it would not hurt to give everything just a little prep clean. It actually is advised that a scouring pad and dish detergent be used first to get any film and/or dust off, then you could put it all through the sanitation cycle. Even if it will be a few weeks until your grapes or juice arrive, it will make sanitizing the equipment much easier in the first pass. You will be glad you did it. That about covers it! Preparation is pretty simple really and just a little detailing will make the first couple weeks that much easier! More About Wine Making: Shop for Winemaking Supplies Winemaking: Overview of the Process & Equipment Everything You Need to Know About Fermenting Wine Why Sanitation is Important During the Winemaking Process
