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Can I reuse the rubber bellows?
The rubber bellows are designed to be reused indefinitely. If you puncture one you can repair it using duct tape of
a tire patch. Or you can purchase a replacement. The bellows work as a set of three and you only need to replace
any one that is damaged. It is wise to wipe down the bellows after each fermentation to ensure that no particles
adhere to the bellow that may lead to a puncture.
What is the purpose of the circular bottom plate?
The three bellows are connected to the bottom plate with cords. The fermentation liner sits on the circular plate
and in between the bellows. The weight of the filled liner on the bottom plate prevents the bellows from riding up
in the outer drum when the bellows inflate and deflate.
Must all 3 bellows be connected to the inflation manifold?
Yes. All three bellows must inflate together to crush the fermenting must equally from all sides.
Can I operate without the lid attached?
NO! The lid must be attached at all times. Inflating the bellows during punch or press without the lid secured
clamped will damage the rubber bellows and may cause injury. You should fill the liner with grapes. Close the
opening with the hose clamp and protective tape. Now place the lid and attach with the drum clamp. The 2inch
TriClamp port will stick out of the center opening of the lid and all subsequent operations will be done through this
port. MAKE SURE the clamp is secured correctly. The lid clamp should only be opened AFTER pressing AND the
bellows are deflated. With the clear lid it is easy to check whether the bellows are fully deflated.
Bellows do not seem to inflate during punch.
The bellows take about 3 to 5 minutes to inflate. You can verify inflation by looking into the clear lid. If the bellows
are not inflating
–
1) check that air is not leaking from the circular pressurization manifold and that each of the
three bellows is connected correctly. 2) check that the manifold tube is firmly connected to the air outlet fitting on
the controller. 3) check that the controller is set to the correct operation and powered. If only one bellow is not
inflating check the tubing to that bellow and also for possible puncture.
Pressing but no wine comes out. Panic?
First of all, verify that 1) You have REMOVED the pressure relief valve that is used fermentation and 2) replaced it
with the press fitting and 3) connected this press tubing to your wine collection vessel. Also check lid clamp is
secure. When you start PRESS, the bellows inflate. You should be able to see them inflating through the clear lid.
First the CO2 in the liner is forced out so no liquid is seen. Then suddenly the wine will gush out. Do not panic. This
will happen
–
just takes 3 to 5 minutes before it starts.
I have pressed but I feel there is still wine in the liner I could get.
The built-in press pushes out about 90% of the wine in the unit. The remaining wine is trapped in the press tube
and folds. Connect a wine pump to the press tube and you can pump out this material. Another way to increase
yield is to wait 30 minutes after pressing and restart the PRESS operation. Use the pump during this second
pressing to get wine that has percolated down through the must. This technique is very effective for getting the
most juice out during white grape pressing. You can repeat the step more time if you want. Finally, nothing will
come out.
