adding sulfites to barrels

[thedrake]

I have 8 wine barrels that I am about to add citric acid and potassium metabisulfite to. Currently they are filled with room temp water (to make sure they are not leaking). I am planning to remove about 5 gal of water from each barrel, then replace it with a solution of water/citric/sulfite, then top it up with water and re-bung when finished. My main question is, should I be concerned about generating sulfur gas in the air? I plan to handle the potassium metabisulfite powder very carefully (with mask and goggles and gloves on) but once it is in a water solution, should I be concerned about sulfur gas in the air?

[dantose]

I imagine it would depend on ventilation. As long as the treatment is occuring some place that wont lend itself to a concentration of the gas, you should be fine. Maybe ask a local winery what precautions they take.

[Bainbridge]

Short answer: It's gonna stink. We much prefer to do it outside. Don't take a big whiff.