How does beginner winemaking differ from beginner homebrewing?

Tom,

I need no "slack cutting" from Brain(less)

" I do not believe that my last post on this subject said anything other than my opinion and experience was different to yours and that I would hold to my opinion." -- this has been my response and continues to be so. It is in no way argumentative that I can see!

It is Brain that is making waves not I ( oops sorry spelt his name wrong again )

In the extreme I can resolve this simply by adding "Brain" to my blocked list which is what I do to posters that make continual offensive remarks It is an effective way since it removes the offender from my sight but doesn't effect his right to post whatever drivel he wishes. I have not done this -- yet

Sahaatak!

Hell, I'm already a crotchety old fart, even if I am only 47. I'm sorry, I have been pushing Trevor's buttons for the sheer enjoyment of watching him launch into one of his renowned fits of civilized British pique. I haven't seen one for awhile and I guess I just missed them.

I'll behave from now on. My apologies, Trevor.

Brian

If I ever do, I will consider it, but frankly I would look at other sources of infection first. It's a lot easier to pick up an infection from the air than it is from my cleaned and sanitized equipment.

Andy

IMO, assuming your sanitizer is doing the job, the biggest source of infections in homebrewing come from nooks and crannies that aren't being properly cleaned and sanitized. Ball valves are very bad for this. This is why I have stuck with very simple equipment setups, instead of moving to elaborate structures with lots of plumbing and pumps and stuff.

I can't comment on the bacterial levels of the air where you live, but I can aerate my wort with a Fizz-X with no problems. It's pretty hard to get away from air exposure somewhere along the way, and most brewers don't worry about it. I think picking up an infection from the air is harder than most people think it is, unless your air is royally tainted.

Brian