Treating water with campden for winemaking?

Pronay · Oct 17, 2009

If I was to use tap water, and was unsure of it's quality (I have medium-hard water), how would I treat the water with campden tablets? Do I just add the tablets then wait 24 hours? Is it that simple?

jcobbs · Oct 18, 2009

It's basically that simple; however campden is only for biological stuff. It won't help if your water has any kind of taste or mineral issues.

mmadmikes1 · Oct 18, 2009

Personally, if you are worried about microbes in public water, it is not a big problem in US . Now Mineral you will need to filter to help taste. I use to carry a cartage filter that goes on hose for RV when. They dont cost much and they will take out mineral taste. Sorry Im just read you are in UK. I'm guessing they do a good job on microbes in public water also, but then again, they are employing Geordies to work there. The one's I know might pee in water just for fun after football and lots of Ale

Saccharomyces · Oct 19, 2009

I think the OP is referring to using Campden to remove chloramine and chlorine as in brewing, which should work fine. As long as your water is suitable for drinking, it should work fine for making wine. 1/2 Campden tablet to 5 gallons allowed to sit overnight will remove the chlorine/chloramine.

JVD_X · Oct 19, 2009

Saccharomyces said:
I think the OP is referring to using Campden to remove chloramine and chlorine as in brewing, which should work fine. As long as your water is suitable for drinking, it should work fine for making wine. 1/2 Campden tablet to 5 gallons allowed to sit overnight will remove the chlorine/chloramine.

It doesn't work faster than that? I always thought it was almost immediate - but that was just an assumption of mine.

jcobbs · Oct 19, 2009

Slap me silly--I completely forgot bisulfites are used to dechlorinate water. The dechlorinating drops you get for your goldfish bowl are basically liquid campden tablets (although I wouldn't recommend them for wine!) I guess I always see campden referred to on here for controlling unwanted bugs, so I didn't think about its other helpful properties. Thanks Sacc for catching that and reminding me I should have known better.