Home Winemaking Equipment Essentials

How much should you invest in your home winemaking equipment? You could go cheap like I did in college—using a glass gallon jug, balloon, and cheap ingredients. That sounds like a recipe for success, right?

Or, you could spend a few bucks and get a beginner’s kit. Nothing wrong with that, particularly if you are not fully committed to the hobby. But, if you are the all-in type, get everything you need and then some. Most of us are in the middle, so let’s focus on what every budding home winemaker needs to produce great wine.

Home Winemaking Equipment--the Primary Fermenter

The first piece of equipment you need is a primary fermenter. The fermenter holds the wine ingredients. Most primary fermenters are food-grade plastic containers or glass carboys. Food-grade plastic containers and glass carboys offer several sizes to accommodate your needs. Each has benefits. Plastic containers have gained in popularity as these containers cost less than glass carboys.

The Plastic or Glass Conundrum

Food-grade containers work well in winemaking and are economical for beginners because the cost is nearly half the price of glass carboys. These plastic containers must be food-grade and made from HDPE or PET plastic. Do not use containers made from PVC material because the risk of leaching is a major concern. The only possible downside to plastic containers is the potential of contamination from scratching the surface because the wrong cleaning brush is used.

Many home winemakers prefer glass carboys. These containers have a long record of producing successful results. They tend to be more resistant to scratching than plastic and often stronger if the fermentation produces stronger-than-anticipated results. Glass carboys weigh more than plastic, and the shape makes handling a little unwieldy, particularly when wet.

Key Add-ons

Regardless of which fermenter container you use, you will need to have an airlock and a rubber stopper opening for the airlock. The airlock is a one-way valve and serves two primary purposes:

• Allows for the release of carbon dioxide from the fermenter to prevent pressure build-up

• Prevents oxygen and airborne contaminants from entering

A hydrometer is an essential piece of winemaking equipment. It indicates how much sugar is in the liquid, allowing you to adjust and produce the degree of dryness or sweetness your wine will have. Good home winemakers take multiple hydrometer readings to track changes in the sugar content.

Having a thermometer on hand will keep you heading in the correct direction. You need the thermometer to monitor the fermentation process. The temperature of the wine during fermentation can play a role in the speed, characteristics of the wine (flavor and aroma), and how it affects the yeast. Most wines generally do well when the ambient temperature is between 65°F and 75°F. However, some red and white wines require more attention.

Get the Sediment Out

Removing sediment from the wine is critical to ensuring a stable and clear wine in the bottles. Some home winemakers transfer the wine from the carboy (secondary fermenter), using a U-shaped siphon tube, and pour the wine into another filter to remove the sediment. Others opt to use a racking tube. A racking tube allows the winemaker to set the tube at a safe level above the sediment and not disturb any sediment in the carboy. Both can work effectively.

However, the racking tube is slower than siphoning wine.

Put a Cork in it!

You need to put a cork in the bottle, once filled. Several manual options require pounding the cork into the bottle. It does work but may require a few attempts before mastering the skill. Another option is using a corking machine. A corker is a simple device that sets the cork in the same position each time, typically using a handle/lever to exert force and push the cork into the bottle for a consistent seal. Prices vary for corkers but range from about $10 to more than $100.

The This and That of Home Winemaking Equipment

Depending on your commitment to winemaking, you could invest in other optional equipment, such as a crusher. These automate the fruit-crushing process. Crushers are useful if you intend to make wine using actual grapes or fruit instead of concentrates.

Making wine requires an investment of time, materials, and equipment. The results make it worth the effort, however. Interested? Then, head to one of the many retail stores for your home winemaking equipment, and take the next step in becoming a master vintner.