campden tablets

rocker69

Hi   I've just recieved my home brew starter kit,and can't wait to start making my own real ale, but I'm not

sure If I should use camden tablets in my water or not. 

please help

 

marko

Hi Rocker! Its not necessary to add them, i never have myself. It could be a good idea if you live in a bad mains water area, but I wouldn't worry about it. See the paragraph below for a little info on Campden tablets.

Campden tablets (potassium or sodium metabisulfite)^[1] are a sulfur-based product that is used primarily in wine, cider and beer making to kill certain bacteria and to inhibit the growth of most wild yeast: this product is also used to eliminate both free chlorine, and the more stable form, chloramine, from water solutions (i.e., drinking water from municipal sources). Campden tablets allow the amateur brewer to easily measure small quantities of sodium metabisulfite, so it can be used to protect against wild yeast and bacteria without affecting flavour.

Let us know how you get on.

rocker69

Thanks Marco