New Barrel prep?

[djc]

I'm getting a new 10 gallon charred barrel from the Barrelmill.
Other than filling with water to check for leaks, is there any other barrel prep that I should do?
I'm aging a UJSSM varient.
Am I correct in assuming that 2 years in a 10 gallon barrel would be the equivalent to 4-5 years in a 53 gallon barrel?

Thanks

[Coyote]

Your new barrel will, I repeat WILL leak like a sieve.
It will take a while to get it sealed. I submerged mine in a
barrel of water for 4 days and it still leaked a small amount
when the hooch was added.

Read up on aging I believe that 2 years in a 10 gallon barrel
would be more like 10 years in a 53 gallon but I can't find the link I wanted to share

Good Stillin'

Coyote

[rtalbigr]

Gibbs Barrels recommends, as I recall, filling about 20% capacity with very hot water and stand on end letting steam swell up the wood. After a short while stand on other end. After water cools fill full with cold water.

Big R

[Glock19Fan]

Gibbs Barrels recommends, as I recall, filling about 20% capacity with very hot water and stand on end letting steam swell up the wood. After a short while stand on other end. After water cools fill full with cold water.

Big R

This is what I do. I alternate with hot water for a couple of hours, then soak cold water for another 2. Run hot (BOILING) in it one more time, then fill with cold water and let it soak overnight.

Like Coyote said, if you can afford the time, just fill up a clean trash can or bucket full of water, then submerge the barrel in it for a couple of days. Just remember in the process to change the water at least once a day to help prevent mold.

[djc]

Got my barrel in today, filled it with water, and it didn't leak a bit.
Let it sit for an hour, dumped the water, and filled it with spirit.
Again, no leaks. I guess I got lucky.

[Samohon]

I bought a 20L oak barrel last year. I just filled it with cold water, sat it in a large bucket of cold water and turned it everyday for about a week.

It now sits in the eves of the house with 20L of Uncle Jesse's finest ageing away... I turn it every-month (when I can remember)...

Hope the angels dont take much...

[Samohon]

BTW, I always over-oak my whiskey.. Gets worst before it gets better... Its about being patient, but it does produce some nice whiskey...

You just gotta let nature do its thang...

[rubber duck]

One thing you need to consider is the water your putting in the barrel.

If your water is heavily chlorinated or you have nasty city water you don't want to just stick a garden hose into it.