How do you store used oak chips/sticks?

[Jeffp60]

I read somewhere after charring ,soak them in water/shake every once in a while. Wouldn't that just prolong the aging time? Alcohol will have to displace water first?
Another just seal in jar. Marked as used. Curious asto everyones thoughts

[fizzix]

I use charred chips to "jump start" my distillates until a barrel is available.
I just strain 'em out and keep in a jar, saturated in their residual alcohol. A new batch of white comes along and I just scoop from the used alcoholy chip jar.
Ain't nuttin gonna live in that high-octane jar, unlike a water bath I figure.

Have to admit I like the instant caramel hue when reusing chips, and I know it's going to get properly aged anyway. In other words, it is NOT a shortcut. Nothing beats time.

[still_stirrin]

I like to rinse the carbon dust off of freshly charred stave pieces. It's not really a problem not to do this, as the carbon in effect acts as a neutralizer in the jar. And it'll settle to the bottom quickly.

But rinsing helps the wood's pores open up so that when immersed in alcohol, the alcohol flows into and out of the wood quicker. OK, so a little water will be carried into your cask strength stock, but it won't dilute it measureably. So, it's not worth fretting over.

One advantage of rinsing the chunks before "setting sail" in your liquor, is that it at least will wash off the dust, sand, grit & grime from packaging and handling. I guess you could consider that "crap" as a part of the "character", but to me it gets in the way of the flavors I want to come through.
ss

[Bushman]

I use charred chips to "jump start" my distillates until a barrel is available.
I just strain 'em out and keep in a jar, saturated in their residual alcohol. A new batch of white comes along and I just scoop from the used alcoholy chip jar.
Ain't nuttin gonna live in that high-octane jar, unlike a water bath I figure.

Have to admit I like the instant caramel hue when reusing chips, and I know it's going to get properly aged anyway. In other words, it is NOT a shortcut. Nothing beats time.

I also do a similar process, it's called the solera process or system.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26821

[Danespirit]

I also wash the loose coal of them and all the dust that may be. A sift and a quick flush under the water tap will do.
Depending on what I've made and how many times they have been used, they will eventually end up as smoking chips for meat.
Sometimes I let them dry before storing. However, if I know I'll be running a batch soon, they just stay in some of the alcohol left.

[Stew8]

Here is a contentious way of aging viewtopic.php?f=4&t=38991
It works really well

Oak barrel staves light bake with a layer of char in the jar with undiluted clear- occasionally nuked a few times at a low wattage over a month or so until flavour and colour suits. Dilute and bottle. I don’t mind a fleck or two of charcoal, I’m told it’s good for you.