CV Wine lab Recommends

Opt for Borosilicate glass (Pyrex or equivalent) for superior heat resistance and minimal thermal expansion during heating/cooling. 

Look for Class A certification marks for the highest volumetric accuracy necessary for mixing standard solutions. 

We recommend conical-bottom, polypropylene tubes that are certified leak-proof and can withstand 10,000  RCF in a centrifuge.  

Plastic containers can ruin some samples. Select borosilicate glass vials with PTFE-lined caps to prevent volatile chemical contamination and ensure long-term sample integrity. 

Purchase clear, cylindrical plastic or glass jars that are tall enough to allow the hydrometer to float freely without meniscus interference. 

Look for corrosion-proof, plastic racks with drainage features designed to securely hold mixed glassware sizes without scratching the interiors. 

Ensure they are certified NIST-traceable and old in small, sealed bottles to guarantee stability and prevent contamination. Avoid purchasing volumes more than you will actually use. It is better to order new standards more frequently than having to dispose of unused expired buffers.

Always purchase reagents like NaOH or Iodine as ACS or Certified Grade to maintain the integrity of your measurement. Ensure they are made from LDPE with clear volume markings for quick, non-critical liquid transfers. 

Use certified reference materials (CRM) when available for high-value tests to verify instrument performance against a known quality standard. Be aware of the volumes you will go through before the expiration dates to avoid wasting money.

Purchase deionized or double distilled water in sealed gallon containers. As the basis for most working solutions and buffers, pure water is essential for accuracy. 

Purchase the buffers that your meter recognizes and bracket the solutions you typically encounter.  Buffers 3 and 7 are great for most wine and beer samples, but pH 10 buffer is needed if doing Titratable Acidity. 

Ensure they are certified NIST-traceable and old in small, sealed bottles to guarantee stability and prevent contamination. Avoid purchasing volumes more than you will actually use. It is better to order new standards more frequently than having to dispose of unused expired buffers.

Always use the specific solution recommended by your probe manufacturer (tupically KCl) to maintain hydration and junction health. 

Purchase a pepsin/acid-based cleaning solution designed to remove tough protein, yeast or other residues from the probe junction. 70% ethanol can work as well. 

Verify the film is laboratory grade and stretchable, providing an effective, moisture-proof seal for stored reagents and glassware. 

Masking tape works, but lab specific tape typically has better adhesion in a variety of temperatures and can be written on easily. A variety of colors can be used to color code sample types or process stages.