Can I use an ozone generator to get rid of moldy smells in my wine cellar?
What you should know about this high-tech approach to deodorizing your cellar
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
Can I use an ozone generator in my wine cellar to get rid of moldy smells? I’ve tried everything else I can think of, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the smell is attached to the wooden wine racks.
—Ellie, Antioch, Calif.
Dear Ellie,
Ozone generators are pretty awesome when used properly. They create ozone gas, which can neutralize odor-causing molecules, and they are used commercially for antifungal and antibacterial purposes. Nowadays you can find small ones meant for personal use starting around $50.
But there are safety concerns—ozone can be especially harmful to the airway—and you should only use ozone generators in sealed spaces when no people, pets or plants are around. You’ll also want to let the ozone completely dissipate before entering the room.
Keep in mind that while ozone should neutralize odors, it won’t necessarily kill the mold itself. It’s best to get rid of any visible mold before using the ozone generator. For that, I’d advise wiping down your wine racks with vinegar or a mild, unscented detergent.
Will the ozone affect the wine itself? If you use a machine that is matched to the size of the room, and if you use it sparingly, your bottles should be fine. Just make sure there are no open bottles around. It wouldn’t be harmful to drink an open wine once the ozone dissipates, but the gas would almost certainly oxidize it and change its aromas and flavors for the worse.
Get the right sized machine, never be in the cellar while it’s running, only run it for short periods of time and wait at least a couple of hours after the cycle before entering the room. If one cycle doesn’t fix the problem, you might want to run the machine at these microdoses a couple of times a month for a few months to see if that does the trick.
—Dr. Vinny
