Campden tablets

How much pot meta does one use to make a sanitizing solution??????

How many Campden Tablets per gallon does one use to make a sanitizing solution????

Thanks, A.J.

There are any number of different formulas. I use 1/2 tsp. sodium metabisulphite + 1/2 tsp. citric acid per 250 ml. "cup" of water. Another common formula is 2 oz. sodium metabisulphite per gallon of water. The exact amount isn't important in a sanitizer (however, it is when adding sulfite to the must).

[Sodium metabisulphite is less expensive than potassium metabisulpite, and perfectly adequate as a sanitizer. You would substitute the same amount of potassium metabisulphite if you so choose.]

One campden table contains 7 grains, 0.44 grams, or 50 ppm in 1 Imperial gallon (60 ppm in 1 US gallon).

So, in the first formula, you would use 3 tablets and 5 grams citric acid per 250 ml. "cup", or 48 tablets and 80 grams citric acid in a gallon.

In the second formula, you would use 2oz = 56.69904624 grams = 129 tablets!

If you do any amount of winemaking, it is MUCH cheaper to use metabisulfite powder or crystals than Campden tablets. Grape&Granary sells Potassium Metabisulfite for $3.99 per pound, and Sodium Metabisulfite for $2.19. Presque Isle is a bit more expensive (on these two items).

That is a bit complicated... I guess I'll stick with Clorine Bleach... I only made about 120 gallons last year and expect the same this year.

Later, A.J. Rawls Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Thanks :-) That works for me...

I tried mak>

ONE Tablespoon per gallon is sufficient according to Jon Iverson ("Home Winemaking Step by Step", p 22). I use the equivalent of 2.67 Tablespoons per gallon (and an equal amount of citric acid).

You are NOT supposed to breathe the fumes. It's the (SO2) fumes which kill the bacteria. ;-)

In case no one mentioned it, you can reuse the sterilizing solution, if you use it in a container which has already been washed. Keep it in a tightly sealed wide-mouthed gallon container (food-grade plastic is ok for this purpose). Use a turkey baster to transfer sterilizer from the container to the carboy or bottle being sterilized. Swish it around and pour it back. Replace or filter the sterilizing solution when it becomes murkey, and keep it topped up with 1/2 tsp. meta (and citric acid) per cup. Not a good idea to drink the sterilizer either. Tastes like Brown Derby.