> "David D." > wrote in message
> ups.com...
>
>>Has anyone tried racking to a Variable Capacity Tank using a vaccuum
>>pump (Enolmatic in my case)?? The pressure isn't that great, but I've
>>heard of tanks imploding in certain circumstances. Also, is vaccuum
>>racking to a barrel OK?
>
>
> You might get away with vacuum racking to a barrel, but don't try it with a
> tank.
>
> Why don't you just gravity rack? That's much gentler on the wine _and_ the
> containers.
>
> Tom S
>
>

I vacuum-fill wine bottles... not sure I'd want to pull 5-7 inches
vacuum on a barrel. Might pull the end plates loose because you'll be
pulling the vacuum on an empty barrel, not a full one (which would
support the ends as an incompressible fluid). I think the latter is the
reason the barrel can suck a bung in during aging without pulling loose
the ends.

Once again, Tom the terrific to the rescue.

Gene