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Basic Equipment Needed for Wine Making
from: Maxx Guide to WineThe most expensive aspect in wine making as a hobby is acquiring your wine making equipment. Most wine making equipment is easily available, however, and can be reused except for the corks.
But it's important to understand that you need to purchase and use only food grade equipment. Using non-food grade materials can be dangerous since there's the possibility that toxic chemicals could seep into your wine during the fermentation process.
Here is list of the most basic wine making equipment you'll need.
First, you must have a carboy. A carboy is just a glass jug that comes in one to six gallon sizes.
Bungs, which are rubber stoppers with holes drilled in the middle, are also essential. The holes are where airlocks are attached. Bungs are available in various sizes and are fitted into the mouth of the carboy.
Airlocks are wine making equipment that prevents oxidation. Oxidation will break down the wine if there's an over exposure to oxygen. Airlocks prevent this by creating a valve that keeps air from entering the carboy while, at the same time, keeping carbon dioxide inside.
A hydrometer tube is also important for wine making. This piece of equipment looks like a 12 inch thermometer with a piece of paper stuck inside with numbers printed on it and is used to measure the amount of sugar before, during and after the fermentation.
You'll also need a wine thief as part of your wine making equipment. This is a tube made out of glass or plastic with holes at the end. It's used to remove small amounts of wine from a container. To use it, you just dip it into the wine and cover one hole with your thumb. When you extract the tube, the air vacuum holds the wine in the tube until your thumb is taken off the hole.
A food grade bucket is also needed where you can pour large quantities of wine. Purchase at least a three or five gallon bucket. Since fermenting your wine often creates a lot of foam, you should have a bucket large enough to hold the wine and the foam.
Winemakers can also use a food grade hose which is used for racking. Racking is transferring wine from one container to another and is done by siphoning the wine using a food grade hose.
You should be able to purchase all of this wine making equipment at wine making stores or simply order what you need on internet sites that cater to wine making at home.
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