What to stir the must with?
 

All,

Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
is easy to clean and sanitize.

Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
wine?

Thanks again in advance,

Greg, erie, PA

Hi, A friend of mine made a 3 foot wooden spoon out of oak or some other
hard wood. Just rinse it with water or dip in sulfite solution.
Jeff
"Hoss" > wrote in message
...
> All,
>
> Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
> Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> wine?
>
> Thanks again in advance,
>
> Greg, erie, PA
>

Hi, A friend of mine made a 3 foot wooden spoon out of oak or some other
hard wood. Just rinse it with water or dip in sulfite solution.
Jeff
"Hoss" > wrote in message
...
> All,
>
> Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
> Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> wine?
>
> Thanks again in advance,
>
> Greg, erie, PA
>

I found a book a number of years back on woodworking for winemakers..
Everything from sparging bag press... apple press designs to a
plonker.. The plonker I use all the time in my masher.. simply a
piece of good grade 1/2 in plywood cut in a circle slightly smaller in
dia than the bottom of the masher pail. random 1 inch holes drilled
in it. attached to an old broom handle.. Use it like a toilet
plunger.. sure pulps the fruit as well as giving it a really good
stir.

cheers
Marv



On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:55:15 -0400, Hoss > wrote:

>All,
>
>Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
>must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
>can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
>is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
>Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
>If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
>wine?
>
>Thanks again in advance,
>
>Greg, erie, PA

I found a book a number of years back on woodworking for winemakers..
Everything from sparging bag press... apple press designs to a
plonker.. The plonker I use all the time in my masher.. simply a
piece of good grade 1/2 in plywood cut in a circle slightly smaller in
dia than the bottom of the masher pail. random 1 inch holes drilled
in it. attached to an old broom handle.. Use it like a toilet
plunger.. sure pulps the fruit as well as giving it a really good
stir.

cheers
Marv



On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:55:15 -0400, Hoss > wrote:

>All,
>
>Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
>must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
>can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
>is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
>Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
>If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
>wine?
>
>Thanks again in advance,
>
>Greg, erie, PA

Greg -
I'm sure you could use a long wooden spoon, if you have one. If
you rinse it after each use, I wouldn't think you'd have any special
problems with mold, etc. I use a long plastic spoon - you should be
able to find one at any wine or beer-making supply place. I buy my
stuff from Midwest Supplies (they're close to where I live) and they
carry sizes up to 28" for less than $5. I'm sure you can find
something similar in PA.

Doug

Greg -
I'm sure you could use a long wooden spoon, if you have one. If
you rinse it after each use, I wouldn't think you'd have any special
problems with mold, etc. I use a long plastic spoon - you should be
able to find one at any wine or beer-making supply place. I buy my
stuff from Midwest Supplies (they're close to where I live) and they
carry sizes up to 28" for less than $5. I'm sure you can find
something similar in PA.

Doug

Hoss > wrote in message >. ..
> All,
>
> Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
> Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> wine?
>
> Thanks again in advance,
>
> Greg, erie, PA

I use a long handled wooden spoon for years (for wine, mead and beer),
and I have never had a spoiled batch. I don't even sanitize it. I
just wash it off with soapy hot water, and it gets a nice contact with
boiling wort.

Of course, it is just a matter of time until I do have a batch go bad.
Really you should just get a long handled plastic spoon. If you
can't find one locally, order one online from any number of places.

Hoss > wrote in message >. ..
> All,
>
> Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
> Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> wine?
>
> Thanks again in advance,
>
> Greg, erie, PA

I use a long handled wooden spoon for years (for wine, mead and beer),
and I have never had a spoiled batch. I don't even sanitize it. I
just wash it off with soapy hot water, and it gets a nice contact with
boiling wort.

Of course, it is just a matter of time until I do have a batch go bad.
Really you should just get a long handled plastic spoon. If you
can't find one locally, order one online from any number of places.

"islander" > wrote in message
...
> I found a book a number of years back on woodworking for winemakers..
> Everything from sparging bag press... apple press designs to a
> plonker.. The plonker I use all the time in my masher.. simply a
> piece of good grade 1/2 in plywood cut in a circle slightly smaller in
> dia than the bottom of the masher pail. random 1 inch holes drilled
> in it. attached to an old broom handle.. Use it like a toilet
> plunger.. sure pulps the fruit as well as giving it a really good
> stir.

Sounds exactly like a butter churn to me.
>
> cheers
> Marv
>
>
>
> On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:55:15 -0400, Hoss > wrote:
>
> >All,
> >
> >Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> >must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> >can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> >is easy to clean and sanitize.
> >
> >Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> >If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> >wine?
> >
> >Thanks again in advance,
> >
> >Greg, erie, PA
>

"islander" > wrote in message
...
> I found a book a number of years back on woodworking for winemakers..
> Everything from sparging bag press... apple press designs to a
> plonker.. The plonker I use all the time in my masher.. simply a
> piece of good grade 1/2 in plywood cut in a circle slightly smaller in
> dia than the bottom of the masher pail. random 1 inch holes drilled
> in it. attached to an old broom handle.. Use it like a toilet
> plunger.. sure pulps the fruit as well as giving it a really good
> stir.

Sounds exactly like a butter churn to me.
>
> cheers
> Marv
>
>
>
> On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:55:15 -0400, Hoss > wrote:
>
> >All,
> >
> >Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> >must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> >can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> >is easy to clean and sanitize.
> >
> >Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> >If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> >wine?
> >
> >Thanks again in advance,
> >
> >Greg, erie, PA
>

"Droopy" > wrote in message
om...
> Hoss > wrote in message
>. ..
> > All,
> >
> > Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> > must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> > can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> > is easy to clean and sanitize.
> >
> > Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> > If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> > wine?
> >
> > Thanks again in advance,
> >
> > Greg, erie, PA
>
> I use a long handled wooden spoon for years (for wine, mead and beer),
> and I have never had a spoiled batch. I don't even sanitize it. I
> just wash it off with soapy hot water, and it gets a nice contact with
> boiling wort.
>
> Of course, it is just a matter of time until I do have a batch go bad.
> Really you should just get a long handled plastic spoon. If you
> can't find one locally, order one online from any number of places.

Why even buy a spoon? Go to the hardware store and buy 30" of plastic
pipe for 89 cents.
Bob aka El Cheapo

"Droopy" > wrote in message
om...
> Hoss > wrote in message
>. ..
> > All,
> >
> > Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
> > must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
> > can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
> > is easy to clean and sanitize.
> >
> > Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
> > If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
> > wine?
> >
> > Thanks again in advance,
> >
> > Greg, erie, PA
>
> I use a long handled wooden spoon for years (for wine, mead and beer),
> and I have never had a spoiled batch. I don't even sanitize it. I
> just wash it off with soapy hot water, and it gets a nice contact with
> boiling wort.
>
> Of course, it is just a matter of time until I do have a batch go bad.
> Really you should just get a long handled plastic spoon. If you
> can't find one locally, order one online from any number of places.

Why even buy a spoon? Go to the hardware store and buy 30" of plastic
pipe for 89 cents.
Bob aka El Cheapo

Thanks to all who replied. It is my wooden spoon indeed. I think it
only cost 95 cents anyway.

good ideas for other items too.

Thanks!

Greg

On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:55:15 -0400, Hoss > wrote:

>All,
>
>Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
>must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
>can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
>is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
>Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
>If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
>wine?
>
>Thanks again in advance,
>
>Greg, erie, PA

Thanks to all who replied. It is my wooden spoon indeed. I think it
only cost 95 cents anyway.

good ideas for other items too.

Thanks!

Greg

On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:55:15 -0400, Hoss > wrote:

>All,
>
>Again a bit of a newbie question. I have been fighting stirring my
>must in my 5 gal primary with a plastic spoon that is too short. I
>can't get a grip on it to stir right and I use the plastic because it
>is easy to clean and sanitize.
>
>Has anyone used a large wooden spoon for this task, and if not, why.
>If so, how do yo clean it to prevent molds/flavors from affecting the
>wine?
>
>Thanks again in advance,
>
>Greg, erie, PA