That was close...

Mar 25, 2007 5 Replies

I brought my Australian Shiraz (Selection International Kit) in from the garage refrigerator to do Step-4 of the instructions, rack it in preparation for bottling in ten days. Since it had cleared very nicely, I didn't think it needed any more cold soaking so I plugged the bung with an airlock and put the carboy in the back room. Went in this morning and found the wine had expanded -- obviously because of the increase in temperature -- until it was right at the bottom of the bung plug. The airlock liquid was all in the output side. Now this would not been so close to a disaster except it was one of the rare cases where I did not set the carboy in a catch pan "just in case." It was sitting on a frame over the light brown carpet. I drew out about 20 CC of wine to get the level back to where it was before. Another 5 CC of expansion and I'd have had some serious cleanup work to do.


I had to do a silent 3am cleanup after wine expansion redecorated my carpet. I put the carboy in a tray ever since!

Jim

garage refrigerator to do Step-4 of the

cleared very nicely, I didn't think it

carboy in the back room.

of the increase in temperature -- until

output side.

rare cases where I did not set the carboy

carpet. I drew out about 20 CC of wine

I'd have had some serious cleanup work to

I put the carboy in a tray ever since!

messagenews:J5xNh.21806$FD1.4016@trnddc05...

garage refrigerator to do Step-4 of the

cleared very nicely, I didn't think it

the carboy in the back room.

of the increase in temperature -- until

the output side.

rare cases where I did not set the carboy

brown carpet. I drew out about 20 CC of wine

I'd have had some serious cleanup work to

any suggestions for trays?

Turkey roasting pan.

Casey

I go to the garden center or Lowes or HomeDepot and get a flower pot water retainer (clear plastic bottom that is usually 1 inch high and as large as you'd like) to fit the carboy. They are cheap and work well. I always start my carboy in these. Saves me often.

DAve

Tater wrote:

I put the carboy in a tray ever since!

messagenews:J5xNh.21806$FD1.4016@trnddc05...

garage refrigerator to do Step-4 of the

cleared very nicely, I didn't think it

the carboy in the back room.

of the increase in temperature -- until

the output side.

rare cases where I did not set the carboy

brown carpet. I drew out about 20 CC of wine

I'd have had some serious cleanup work to

I use an old cookie sheet when bottling but I like DAv'e's idea better, mine is pretty bent up. My winemaking areas changes by 30 to

40 F during the seasons so I do get a bit of expansion and contraction.

Joe

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