Last year I used plastic wrap on the cap during 1 week of extended maceration. I did this primarily because I was useing CO2. I did not punch the cap, by the way. This year I am using Argon, but I've been reading that it is important to keep the cap wet. So do I go without plastic, and just punch through the gas, assuming that most of the gas will stick around, then just give it a bit more gas? That is my intention anyway. It seems the plastic is useless if you are using gas, and I'd rather not have to put new plastic down daily.
plastic wrap on the cap?
Aug 18, 2007
3 Replies
The plastic wrap seems to keep the cap moist enough when I do extended maceration, so I've never punched down after placing the plastic wrap on top of the cap. I thought the CO2 generation rate was too slow to dry out the covered cap.
Gene
Marc, What I do or have done is to fold the wrap halfway back, sample, check temp punch gently, replace wrap, Argon around perimeter of wrap, cover fermenter with black plastic secured with large rubber band then replace cover on fermenter. Takes time with six fermenters, but never had a problem.
I'll try that.
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