Tap Water

[LewisA]

I have read mixed reviews on this? Some say you should stay clear of this and just use bottled water. Some say you can so long as one Campden tablet is added per gallon of tap water? I know bottled water is relatively inexpensive but its still saves at least a quid per gallon of wine if tap water is just the same. :thumb:

Are there any major disadvantages to using tap water? Or any other important information ?

Many thanks

Lewis :

 

[Moley]

If you're pre-treating tap water for brewing it's just half a CT to 5 gallons.

For winemaking I only ever use bottled water if I want to free up the bottle, 95% of the time it's just tap water, never treated because I figure CTs are going to be involved somewhere along the line.

I guess it all depends upon your mains supply - ours tastes pretty good but just 12 miles away at my place of employment, I wouldn't want to drink theirs neat.

 

[Yorkslad]

I usually just let my tap run for a few minutes then use it. Iv never used campden tablets nor has my local homebrew shop reccomended i use them and i have got to know him and chat away when im in the shop. It may depend on the hardness of the water where you live, as this can give you different tastes to your brews. I say if its safe to drink its safe to brew with, as do many people :thumb:

 

[LewisA]

Thanks for the replies

Well i like the taste of my water but its pretty hard due to my location i think.

Will the hardness give any off flavours to the wine ?

 

[Yorkslad]

Im not sure on that one, but i very much doubt it. Im sure pure mineral water is best all round but it adds more expense and it probably won't make that greater difference. It certainly won't make any off flavours, just different flavours in general from different types of water.
You never know your tap water may make it taste nicer than bottled water would, its all trial and error, without the error :thumb:

 

[LewisA]

ok ok :) cheers for the feedback :)

You never know your tap water may make it taste nicer than bottled water wouldquote]

lets hope so :thumb:

Thanks

 

[nickmcmechan]

I'm new to this, however I had thought the purpose of the Campden tablet was to remove Chlorine and Chloramines as it was a sulphite...this wouldn't affect the water hardness?

 

[denpat]

I only use tap water but follow C JJ Berrys advice and leave to stand for 24 hours
before i use it
And i have lived in most parts of England never had prob

den :thumb:

 

[Yorkslad]

It depends on how serious you are towards perfecting every little aspect of your brew. I say if its safe to drink its safe to brew with, you're not gonna do much harm. All my ales and beers have been perfecto.
Just dabble now and again, try new methods etc see which is best, don't panic too much just be confident and professional with what you do, and you will get good results.

 

[shadow47]

I've always used tap water, the water here in the north of England is pretty clean and soft.

Never had any trouble with off tastes and never had one batch go off/bad yet.

 

[Yorkslad]

I too just use tap water, no need to be too picky really, its safe to drink and comes from the same place any water does, just without filtering through rock :thumb:

 

[LewisA]

ok cheers for all your wisdoms Ill shall be using my tap water from now on :)

 

[marshbrewer]

m new to this, however I had thought the purpose of the Campden tablet was to remove Chlorine and Chloramines as it was a sulphite...this wouldn't affect the water hardness?

That's how I understand it. I've done identical brews both with and without de-chlorinating with a CT, and they taste much better with, and it isn't a massive increase in time and expense to lob a crushed half tablet in 5 gallons of water for 15 mins, IMHO.