I've got a charred barrel that I ordered several months back and I was wondering how to preserve (from drying out, losing its ability to seal, etc) it till I have enough white dog to fill it.
If I just leave it inside my house (70F, 40% RH), will it eventually not be able to seal? Should I soak it now (per cooper's instructions) eventhough it may be a couple of more months before I have enough hooch to fill it?
Next time of course I'll wait till I'm truely ready before ordering
thanks,
K.D.
KD, I would call somebody that sells oak barrels to get information on how to properly store it. I read an article a month ago about how much trouble an oak barrel can be if you don't keep it full of wine, spirit, or whatever. Good luck.
myerfire
Using A New Barrel
New barrels are ready to fill immediately upon receipt. If you will not be filling the barrel immediately, be sure to
keep it in a cool place. Avoid storing empty barrels in excessively moist places as this may allow mold to
develop.
PREPARATION FOR WINE
Water Soak & Test
It is important to follow these re-hydration and inspection steps when you are going to fill the barrel immediately
with wine.
Option 1:
1. Fill the barrel with 3-5 gallons of filtered, chlorine-free, hot water. Use the hottest water possible, with
180°F or 82°C the ideal temperature.
2. Place a silicone bung in bunghole.
3. Rotate the barrel from side to side, completely wetting the barrel’s interior.
4. Stand the barrel upright on one head up to 4 hours to completely hydrate the head.
5. Rotate and stand upright on the other head up to 4 hours repeating the hydration
6. Check for leakage. See instructions below if present.
7. Empty the barrel and allow it to drain and dry completely (approximately 1 hour).
Option 2 (Cold Water/High Volume):
1. Completely fill the barrel with filtered, chlorine-free, cold water.
2. Let the barrel re-hydrate for 24 to 48 hours.
3. Check for leakage. See instructions below if present.
4. Empty the barrel and allow it to drain and dry completely (approximately 1 hour).
Check for Leakage
If leakage is present, drain the barrel and allow it to dry completely (approximately 1 hour).
With chalk, circle the area where the leakage was present. Examine that this exterior area is completely dry.
Repeat Option 1 or Option 2 above and re-examine for leakage.
If the leakage continues call us. Empty the barrel, allow it to drain and dry completely, treat each barrel with 10-
20 grams of sulfur sticks (or the equivalent in gas form), and re-insert the bung. Again, be certain the barrel is
completely dry prior to sulfur treatment.
Remember that water should not sit in a barrel for more than 48 hours without sulfur and citric acid. Also, use
caution when removing bung due to internal pressure build-up.
BARREL MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
