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The sulphite question rises again!

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Ferretlady

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 17, 2004
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I mentioned before somewhere that I don't like the use of sulphite (in my brewa at least) because I've had nasty migraines in the past because of them. Mind you, that was in commercial wines, and they do tend to use a lot of it.
Now, I've made and bottled some meads (with residual sugars, I like sweet) without sulphite-sorbate. I have not had any (touch wood!) problems yet, but as production increases and aging gets underway, I don't want to gift my friends with possible time bombs.
Soooo...
I've heard at my local wine supply store that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can be used instead of sulphite, or that it's presence means that you don't have to use as much sulphite. But nobody could give me proper direction on how much per gallon. For that matter, how much sulphite-sorbate should be added per gallon? How about campden tablets? I've seen all kinds of recommended amounts, but I'd like to hear it from the experienced people.
Thank you for the advice!
 
S

scottlind

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 14, 2004
131
1
0
here's what i use, it is compiled and averaged from about 8 different sources. NOTE these are in GRAINS NOT GRAMS thats how my scale reads.

Potassium sorbate
Potassium sorbate, powder or granular, 28.0 grains per one gallon
Potassium sorbate, powder or granular, 85.0 grains per three gallons
Potassium sorbate, powder or granular, 140.0 grains per five gallons
Potassium sorbate, powder or granular, 155.0 grains per five 1/5 gallons
Potassium sorbate, powder or granular, 170.0 grains per six gallons

Calculation of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Potassium metabisulfite, 7 grains per one gallon
Potassium metabisulfite, 20.0 grains per three gallons
Potassium metabisulfite, 33.0 grains per five gallons
Potassium metabisulfite, 36.0 grains per five 1/2 gallons
Potassium metabisulfite, 40.0 grains per six gallons
 
D

David Baldwin

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 29, 2004
860
1
0
Grand Rapids, MI
I can't help you with the Vitamin C, but I can tell you from my own experience with migranes, that the Potassium Sorbate is not a typical migrane trigger like the Potassium or Sodium metabisulphites.

I use the sorbate and don't worry about it, but when I do use sulphites, I use them at the very low end of effective concentrations.
 
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