How to Prepare Corks for Bottling
According to Leeners.com, corks are comprised of bark that is harvested from the cork oak tree. Corks seal bottles (typically bottles of wine and champagne) so that air and debris are kept out of the beverage while it ages. Before you can use the corks to seal bottles, they must first be prepared. Corks must be properly sanitized--a simple procedure that requires a few materials including potassium metabisulphite, a chemical you can obtain at any location that sells brewing supplies.
Instructions
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Fill a clean gallon bucket with warm to hot (not boiling) water. This will make enough solution to sterilize multiple corks for bottling at one time. You may also use this solution to disinfect wine bottles.
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Measure out 1/8 tsp. of potassium metabisulphite, as recommended by WeekendBrewer.com. Add the chemical to the bucket of water and stir it to dissolve.
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Drop the corks you'll use for bottling into the bucket of solution. Set the timer for 15 minutes and let the corks soak.
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4
Remove the corks from the potassium metabisulphite and water solution using a clean, slotted spoon. Lay them out to dry so they are separated on a clean, dry paper towel. Do not soak corks for longer than recommended, as they may become too moist and crumble when dried, according to Homebrewheaven.com. Once the corks are dry, you may use them.
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Tips & Warnings
You can reduce the amount of solution you mix by dividing the amount of warm water and
potassium metabisulphite by two, three, four, etc.
Do not soak synthetic plastic corks to sanitize them.
References
- Photo Credit corkscrew in wine bottle image by Patrick Warneka from Fotolia.com
