Sodium benzoate question

[crabbynanna]

Will adding 2 ounces of flavoring that contains sodium benzoate to 3 gallons of apple wine inhibit the yeast any? I do not care if it does because I need the space.

The wine is in a secondary and no air lock activity for 7 days and lots of lees. I want to siphon to another container and top off with FAJC, brown sugar and imitation vanilla extract that contains sodium benzoate.

I don't have a gravity reading because my hydrometer keeps sinking.

I know most of you will say that imitation vanilla is a no no, but this is just an experiment. I have never made wine before and was just curious. This might be something I would like to get into.

 

[bernardsmith]

It's possible. Possible because the dilution of the 2 oz MAY be sufficient to neutralize the preservative... but it is possible that 2 oz in 3 gallons is perfectly adequate to prevent any further fermentation. If the answer one way or the other has no bearing then it has no bearing... Yer pays yer money and yer takes yer chance.

 

[crabbynanna]

It's possible. Possible because the dilution of the 2 oz MAY be sufficient to neutralize the preservative... but it is possible that 2 oz in 3 gallons is perfectly adequate to prevent any further fermentation. If the answer one way or the other has no bearing then it has no bearing... Yer pays yer money and yer takes yer chance.

Thank you. I also had a thought about topping off or back sweetening with apple juice that has preservatives in it. You think that would work?

I am always having strange ideas like that. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

 

[Yooper]

Thank you. I also had a thought about topping off or back sweetening with apple juice that has preservatives in it. You think that would work?

I am always having strange ideas like that. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

No, probably not. The amount of preservative in the juice may not be enough preservatives for the size batch, especially if the wine isn't clear and there is still a ton of yeast in suspension.

 

[bernardsmith]

Benzoate in additives always ALWAYS rigidly follows Murphy's law... When you DON'T want it to stall the fermentation it will and when you want it to - it won't. And you can bet the orchard on that.