I have been using a strong solution of SO2 in my air locks for years
but am wondering if there would be any difference if I was to use
water? Does anyone have an opinion and if so thank you in advance.

Recommend you stay with a 10% metabisulfite solution, or similar. This
prevents any possible contaminations from settling in - which is possible if
it is just water.

>
> I have been using a strong solution of SO2 in my air locks for years
> but am wondering if there would be any difference if I was to use
> water? Does anyone have an opinion and if so thank you in advance.

I've used both with no ill effects what so ever from using just water.

I have however noticed that if I don't change the metasulfite solution in
the airlock in a timely manner it develops a -- how to describe it -- haze
or something.
I'm not sure what it is.
I don't know if it's harmful.
I do know that I don't like it and it makes me nervous. Can anyone tell me
what they think it is?

Brad

Do you use sodium or potassium meta?

It could be potassium bicatbonate forming from dissolved CO2.

One benefit SO2 has that has not been mentioned is that it protect from
oxygen transfer across the airlock. That is oxygen dissolved into the
airlock water then is released on the wine side.

It is slow, but it can happen...the effect of which is probabally
negligable anyway as long as you keep your carboys topped up.


Brad wrote:
> I've used both with no ill effects what so ever from using just water.
>
> I have however noticed that if I don't change the metasulfite solution in
> the airlock in a timely manner it develops a -- how to describe it -- haze
> or something.
> I'm not sure what it is.
> I don't know if it's harmful.
> I do know that I don't like it and it makes me nervous. Can anyone tell me
> what they think it is?
>
> Brad

I've used both and to be completely honest, I couldn't tell you with
certainty which solution would cause the effect. (Could be both...) I
realize the added benefits but am just pointing out my observations.

I didn't know about the oxygen transfer through water. I would imagine that
it would be very slow.

Thanks,
Brad


"Droopy" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> Do you use sodium or potassium meta?
>
> It could be potassium bicatbonate forming from dissolved CO2.
>
> One benefit SO2 has that has not been mentioned is that it protect from
> oxygen transfer across the airlock. That is oxygen dissolved into the
> airlock water then is released on the wine side.
>
> It is slow, but it can happen...the effect of which is probabally
> negligable anyway as long as you keep your carboys topped up.
>
>
> Brad wrote:
>> I've used both with no ill effects what so ever from using just water.
>>
>> I have however noticed that if I don't change the metasulfite solution in
>> the airlock in a timely manner it develops a -- how to describe it --
>> haze
>> or something.
>> I'm not sure what it is.
>> I don't know if it's harmful.
>> I do know that I don't like it and it makes me nervous. Can anyone tell
>> me
>> what they think it is?
>>
>> Brad
>

We use 50 L carboys of different solutions at work.

they are fairly well sealed but we have to degas (deaerate actually)
them every day. You do not notice much if you missed a day....but
after a week I have seen that the solutions had completely "regassed"


Brad wrote:
> I've used both and to be completely honest, I couldn't tell you with
> certainty which solution would cause the effect. (Could be both...) I
> realize the added benefits but am just pointing out my observations.
>
> I didn't know about the oxygen transfer through water. I would imagine that
> it would be very slow.
>
> Thanks,
> Brad
>
>
> "Droopy" > wrote in message
> ps.com...
> > Do you use sodium or potassium meta?
> >
> > It could be potassium bicatbonate forming from dissolved CO2.
> >
> > One benefit SO2 has that has not been mentioned is that it protect from
> > oxygen transfer across the airlock. That is oxygen dissolved into the
> > airlock water then is released on the wine side.
> >
> > It is slow, but it can happen...the effect of which is probabally
> > negligable anyway as long as you keep your carboys topped up.
> >
> >
> > Brad wrote:
> >> I've used both with no ill effects what so ever from using just water.
> >>
> >> I have however noticed that if I don't change the metasulfite solution in
> >> the airlock in a timely manner it develops a -- how to describe it --
> >> haze
> >> or something.
> >> I'm not sure what it is.
> >> I don't know if it's harmful.
> >> I do know that I don't like it and it makes me nervous. Can anyone tell
> >> me
> >> what they think it is?
> >>
> >> Brad
> >

I use an ~1% solution; it seems to work well for me.

Joe

Ric wrote:
> Recommend you stay with a 10% metabisulfite solution, or similar. This
> prevents any possible contaminations from settling in - which is possible if
> it is just water.

Makes sense - the issue is just 'innoculation' against the occassional
marauding bacteria! I sue the 10% because that's what I keep in the winery;
a fresh supply of 10% stock solution - works for my SO2 additions to the
wine, sanitizing, and air locks. Speaking of which - time to go out to the
winery tonight and check things out!

>I use an ~1% solution; it seems to work well for me.
>
> Joe
>
> Ric wrote:
>> Recommend you stay with a 10% metabisulfite solution, or similar. This
>> prevents any possible contaminations from settling in - which is possible
>> if
>> it is just water.
>

I've always used Vodka. Seems to work just fine. I've also heard Glycerin
is good to use...less evaporation. However, Vodka doesn't evaporate fast at
all in the basement winery...temp 55 to 70 depending on the time of year.

Bill Frazier
Olathe, Kansas USA
>
> Ric wrote:
>> Recommend you stay with a 10% metabisulfite solution, or similar. This
>> prevents any possible contaminations from settling in - which is possible
>> if
>> it is just water.
>

Evaporation wouldn;t be my problem - drinking it would be!



> I've always used Vodka. Seems to work just fine. I've also heard
> Glycerin is good to use...less evaporation. However, Vodka doesn't
> evaporate fast at all in the basement winery...temp 55 to 70 depending on
> the time of year.
>
>

I have found dead fruit flies in airlocks. I would recomend using the SO2.

Ray

"Jim" > wrote in message
news
>
> I have been using a strong solution of SO2 in my air locks for years
> but am wondering if there would be any difference if I was to use
> water? Does anyone have an opinion and if so thank you in advance.