Optional Winemaking Equipment

(Additional equipment to lighten the tasks and/or to make the hobby more enjoyable)

Acid Titration (Test) Kit A simple test kit, consisting of a syringe, sodium hydroxide and phenophalein solution, used to determine the acid level of a wine must. All wine kits have predetermined (always lower than their commercial counterparts) acid levels to ensure faster aging and product consistency. Acid titration allows the amateur winemaker to adjust (increase) the starting acid levels for longer term aging of wine

Bottle Brush A self-descriptive object, available in varying lengths and strengths, used for cleaning dirty bottles of residues and mold growths.

Bottle (Drainer) Tree A plastic stand used for air drying and storage of wine or beer bottles. The unique design allows properly cleaned bottles to be pulled off the tree and filled quickly without the need to re-sanitize them. Many models also feature a rotating base attachment.

Bottle Filler A narrow tube, usually made of acrylic plastic but also made of aluminum or stainless steel, with a gravity pin or spring mechanism attached at one end. The gravity model filler allows a bottle to be quickly filled with the proper amount of head space between cork and wine. A faster flowing model is now available to quickly fill gallon jugs

Bottle Tree Rinser An acrylic bowl and spring washer mechanism that attaches to the top of a bottle (drainer) tree. This device allows you to rinse and sterilize bottles in a seamless task saving time and energy.

Bottle Washer An washing device, usually made of brass but also made of polycarbonate, that attaches to a laundry tub or kitchen faucet used to quickly wash bottles and carboys. Due to some pipe threading configurations, a chrome or brass kitchen faucet adapter (coupler) may be required on some kitchen faucets.

Brewing (Heat) Belt An adjustable belt consisting of a heat coil in a insulating jacket that keeps buckets and carboys warm during primary fermentation. The heat coil is usually preset to keep 6 US gallons (23 L) of wine or beer at approx. 75-80 °F (21–24 °C). Some models have an adjustable thermostat.

Carboy Brush A longer (and bushier tailed) version of the bottle brush used for cleaning carboys and demijohns

Carboy Washer A long, plastic spray wand that attaches to a faucet on one end and fits into a carboy or demijohn. Forced tap water pressure provides an effortless cleaning.

Carboy Funnel A useful size of funnel that comes in handy when topping up carboys after a racking.

Carboy Handle Carboy Handle A plastic coated metal handle that attaches to the lower neck of a carboy. Because the handle is pivoted, it allows the user to lift a full carboy (approx. 60 lbs/27 Kg) of wine by utilizing the upper arm and shoulder muscles instead of staining the back. The handle also allows for the careful handling during cleaning. So many of these are sold every a year that we refer to them as carboy "insurance".

Graduated Carboy Strip A clear acetate peel-and-stick dual measurement scale that attaches to the side of a 6 US gallon (23L) glass carboy.

Measuring Cup (2 cup/500 ml) Used for accurate measuring and mixing of wine additives. A glass one is preferred although food grade plastic is acceptable

Mix-Stir Wine Destabilizer A degassing tool, usually made of plastic but also made of stainless steel, that attaches to an electric drill. This device eliminates the often tedious task of "shaking and stirring" the carboy for several days to rid the wine of excess carbon dioxide.

Racking Tube Clip A plastic clip, usually spring loaded, that holds a racking (acrylic) tube in place during siphoning from a primary fermenter. It is available for both 1/4" ID and ½" tubes ID.

Super-Siphon System A packaged siphon assembly (1/2" ID) consisting of an acrylic racking tube, flexible hosing, plastic hose pinch clamp and a bottle filler. This is a faster flow version of the regular siphon system.

Stick-On (LCD) Thermometer A peel-and-stick type thermometer, much like an aquarium thermometer, that attaches to the side of a bucket or carboy to monitor the temperature of a fermenting wine must or beer.

Wine Filter  Filtration greatly enhances the appearance of homemade wines. They can make a clear commercially "brilliant" and a hazy or cloudy wine clear. Care must be taken to use an anti-oxidant while filtering and not to over filter by using the correct filter pad # (as a general rule use #1’s for reds, # 2’s for whites and # 3’s for hazy or "difficult" wines.

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