Lalvin Home Brew Bulk: Campden Tablets - 10 Tablets

Campden tablets, composed of potassium or sodium metabisulfite, are primarily used in winemaking and brewing to sanitize equipment, prevent oxidation, and control microbial growth. They act as a sterilant, inhibiting spoilage bacteria and wild yeast, and also help remove chlorine or chloramine from brewing water. 

1. Sterilization:

• Campden tablets are used to sanitize equipment like fermenters, bottles, and tools before, during, and after fermentation.
• They create a sanitizing solution when dissolved in water, killing bacteria and wild yeasts. 

2. Preserving Wine and Beer:

• Campden tablets are added to must (unfermented wine) or juice before fermentation to inhibit the growth of wild yeasts and bacteria, ensuring a clean start for the chosen yeast strain. 

• They also help prevent oxidation, which can cause browning and off-flavors in wine and beer. 

3. Water Treatment:

• Campden tablets are used to remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water before brewing, preventing the formation of unpleasant flavors. 

4. Dosage and Usage:

• Typically, one tablet per gallon of wine or beer is used, but it's crucial to crush the tablet and dissolve it in a small amount of water before adding it to the batch. 

• Campden tablets are often added at the beginning of fermentation, during racking (transferring wine to a new container), and before bottling. 

• It's important to note that Campden tablets cannot reliably stop an active fermentation. 

5. Important Considerations:

• Campden tablets are not a substitute for proper sanitation practices, including cleaning and sanitizing equipment thoroughly. 

• While they inhibit microbial growth, they do not kill all microorganisms, so they should be used in conjunction with other good winemaking and brewing practices. 

• Excessive use of Campden tablets can negatively impact the flavor of the final product.