Degassing

[mancer62]

I made a winexpert classic malbec kit and I'm wondering if its ok to progress or not. (there's no airlock activety)
I made it 17 days ago.....(the kit advises doing the next stage degassing etc after 14).
I have two hydrometers who give different readings.The OG readings were 1.088 & 1.090. and today the readings are 1.002 & 1.004.
I dont know if this has anything to do with it but the weather has been cold recently and I have had my FV wrapped inside a padded rainjacket under the kitchen table to help with the temp.
Do these gravity readings still seem a bit on the high side....I thought myself it be below 1.000.....also although the kit instructions say 14 days would it really make any difference if the next stage was delayed a bit?
While I am at it can I also ask about degassing I have seen a few videos on you tube etc but all seem to have different opinions.
What is the best way to degass wine?
I have a traditional plastic spoon and I also have a power drill and a plastic coat hanger that's been cut to form a wand.
I've seen things.like 2 minutes to an hour.
Also I've seen doing it once to doing it multiple times each day for several days.
Can I please ask which way is best.
Tyvm

 

[Gyro]

I would leave it a few days and retake the hydrometer readings. It could be that the fermentation has slowed but not finished yet. Cooler temperatures will affect the rate of fermentation. Check the kit instructions to see what the finishing gravity should be (the instructions for my Reserve kit says <0.996). When the reading is in that ballpark, check again after 48 hours; if it's the same you should be OK to progress.

There shouldn't be any harm in leaving it longer - most instructions are a best case scenario thing, there can be variations in timing.


As for degassing, my kit instructions say 10 minutes vigorous stirring, changing the direction intermittently for manual, or 2-4 mins with a medium drill speed changing direction every 30 seconds if using a wand.

 

[Gyro]

There is a thread on degassing here: https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-degas-wine-with-a-home-made-degassing-wand.48971/

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I also have a power drill and a plastic coat hanger that's been cut to form a wand.
I've seen things.like 2 minutes to an hour.
Also I've seen doing it once to doing it multiple times each day for several days

5 seconds forward 5 seconds reverse repeat for a minute and that's all it'll need.

 

[mancer62]

Ty

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Would definitely aim for temp of at least 20C. Make sure the bucket is insulated from the floor and if you think it's a bit cool put a plastic bottle coke or milk carton with hot water up against the ferment vessel and insulate it. This will raise the temp.

I have just swirled my fermenter clock and anticlock to degas.

Not seen a wand made from a plastic coat hanger. But it sounds magic!

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Not seen a wand made from a plastic coat hanger. But it sounds magic!

How to make one -
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...-a-home-made-degassing-wand.48971/post-453191

 

[RoomWithABrew]

How to make one -
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...-a-home-made-degassing-wand.48971/post-453191

Thanks I've forwarded to Harry Potter subgroup.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Thanks I've forwarded to Harry Potter subgroup.

Nice one, I am sure that will cause a stir

 

[mancer62]

My wine has finished at 996 which gives me just over 12% which I'm quite happy with (the kit claims 13%)....
I plan to rack into my bottling bucket today and leave for a couple of days before bottling on prob Wednesday.
I tried a sample yesterday and feel there is still a sort of spritzer bubbly feel on the tip of the tongue......Is it too late to give it a good stir once in the bottling bucket or not?
And also if stirred would it still be ok to go ahead and bottle on Wed as planned or because of the stirring do u recommend a bit later?