Question about stabiliser??

[sugarplum]

Hi, I have several demijohns of different wines on the go (am a complete novice) and have more questions!
My mead has stopped fermenting (after 1 month) so this afternoon I have racked it onto a crushed campden tablet, added a teaspoon of stabiliser, shaken it to de-gas and fitted a new airlock! Does this sound ok so far??

I'm a little concerned about the poison warning on the stabiliser (wilko). It warns against ingesting it but its in my mead! :-( I can only assume that its safe when used in wine.

Thanks in advance for any replies! :)

 

[Graz]

It would be toxic if you took a lot of it but in the dilute quantities used when stabilising wine it's fine. So long as you follow the instructions.

I think some of it also dissipates over time much like if you put some bleach in water that it will smell less of bleach each day.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

As Graz says follow the instructions an you will be fine, one word of warning keep the pot away from your face especially when opening it, it really does take your breath away.

Hello,

I had to get my father in law to pick up some campden tablets from wilkos as I'd run out of the powder.

I've been using it for a few weeks and randomly today I decided to have a sniff of the tablets. Never again! it nearly took my head off and I found it very hard to breath for around 30 mins!

Be warned! I would hate to think what I would have been like If I'd suffered from asthma!

 

[Gunge]

Mix a little citric acid with your sod.met and you have a chemical warfare agent right there. Really does liberate the ol' sulphur dioxide.

 

[GDog]

How much did the instructions say to add? Im going to get mine at the weekend but some.reviews said the wilko stabiliser label was confusing

 

[sugarplum]

Thanks for your replies. The Wilko container says to add one flat teaspoon (1g) per gallon.

I'm a tad confused tho cos the Wilko campden tablets say they are sodium metabisulphate, and the stabiliser says it is sodium metabisulphate too. Are they exactly the same thing??

 

[GDog]

The wilko stabiliser I'm getting is a mix of Campden and stabiliser apparently, so you use it instead of both separate.
Does it list potassium on the jar, whereas the pure Campden tabs won't?

 

[Graz]

You want Potassium Sorbate as a stabilizer and a Campden tablet (Sodium Metabisulphite) as a preservative / to protect against oxidation.

 

[sugarplum]

The wilko stabiliser I'm getting is a mix of Campden and stabiliser apparently, so you use it instead of both separate.
Does it list potassium on the jar, whereas the pure Campden tabs won't?

Just had a closer look at the labels and yes, the stabiliser does have potassium in it too! I should've looked closer the first time.:lol:

 

[sugarplum]

Next question! (I appreciate your patience!!)
I now have a space in my demijohn that i'm guessing I need to top up. I've added the stabiliser and need to back sweeten my mead. Do I also top up the demijohn to the neck and can I use water and a bit of honey to sweeten?
Thanks. :)

 

[Dutto]

Just had a closer look at the labels and yes, the stabiliser does have potassium in it too! I should've looked closer the first time.:lol:

Classic "If all else fails I'll read the Manual." situation. :lol: :lol:

Not mocking 'cos:

a) I made a good living as a HSE Manager before I retired!

b) I've just bought some Wilco Stabiliser for use on a batch of cider that's still fermenting. :thumb: :thumb: