Sentia Wine Analyzer - Anyone Using One ?

Cellar Rats (ITB)
21

Wine and Beer Supply out of VA

Cheers

22

My strips expire on the 27th of Jan - does anybody know if the machine then rejects them, or can I still sample (and warn me they’re out of date?). Be sad to have to throw away two full packs, when they’re like $5/pop!

23

Have not used any post expiration date, but you should probably reach out directly to Sentia USA for guidance.

Cheers

24

Malic Acid test supposed to be available now. It might be time for me to pull the trigger. Thanks guys

25

A little FYI - it’s not going to be as straightforward as the Free SO2 taste. For the Malic, you are going to need to dilute the sample with something else - and unless you have micro-pipettes and are accurate, it may be a bit of a ‘challenge’. They are working to redo it from what I understand . . .

Cheers

26

I can report that they do not work after their expiration. Which kinda sucks if you happen to get a batch that are already close to expiration.

27

They will update their software soon to allow you to run expired ones with a ‘caution’ notice . . .

28

That’s the right thing to do. Is the upgrade already available, or is it a future one?

29

Any idea on how the update software will happen? I did not see a Sentia firmware section on either Universal Biosensors or Enartis websites. As an aside I think sellers should show strip stock availability and expiration date.

30

I have requested the info and will update you all when I get more info

Cheers

31

Hi all,

We have been using the Sentia for about a year now. Every so often, we will test our SO2 readings on it against samples sent to ETS. Its always either the same reading or very close, within 1ppm. We have not used to test for Malo as we dont like the idea of our dilution being slightly off and producing a false result. Do the math on cost of strip and cost of unit with the amount of tests you run on average each year against the cost of sending that many samples to a lab. If the cost is lower I would consider buying it. It was for us.

32

About the dilution issue … I’m not familiar with the Sentia procedure, but I was initially surprised that the Vinmetrica (which now also sells the Sentia stuff) procedure for measuring TA treats dilution as a non-issue. Basically, you add enough water to get the electrode submerged, on the order of “about 15 mL.” It makes sense, in that you’re only measuring the amount of titrant required to neutralize the fixed amount of acid in a more exactly measured volume of wine, and the dilution doesn’t affect that; i.e., it’s not a matter of the concentration or percentage of the diluted sample. If the same applies to the Sentia procedure, then maybe the malo test isn’t so easy to bungle.

33

I think that Malo test might be more sensitive than measuring TA, my friend. If you do a standard titration, you’ll find that the exact amount of water needed is not that exact . . .

Cheers

34

I met with the sales rep today:

The next software update will allow you to use ‘expired’ strips but only for a month after the expiration date

They are working on TA strips

Cheers

1 Like
35

Anyone try the ML strips yet?

Also, they are actively working on TA and Acetic Acid strips . . .

Cheers!

1 Like
36

Love that little thing. It’s brilliant.

37

I’m getting a demo unit next week. If they can get this to run VA in addition to the FSO2 and Malo they can take my money. It would pay for itself in six months .

38

Yeah, VA would be great.

39

It would be Acetic Acid, NOT VA . . .

40

Alright, fine papa Larry. It won’t measure all the other volatile acids, only acetic…and definitely not ethyl acetate. But that sure will be helpful. You will still have to send your samples to ETS and spend $115 to test for ethyl acetate if you think you have a problem.