Water in the barrel

[mrblues4625]

I have a 5 gallon Gibbs barrel for Xmas 2019. I was told if I didn't have any product made the barrel needed water in it. I filled it with water last April and now have 15 gallons of 100% corn ready for my second run., which I plan to do this weekend. What should I do to the barrel once I dump the water out of it but before I put my final product in it? I know a lot of the oak will be washed out, but I figure that leaves it in the barrel for a significantly longer period than usual for the smaller barrel.

[jonnys_spirit]

I’ve got a barrel i had to store during the interim so i filled it with citric acidulated water and some vodka to make it like a wine. Ph of about 3.5 or so and 10%ABV will work well against infection.

Cheers,
-j

[acfixer69]

First thing I would do is check it for mold growth and go from there.

[River Rat]

I have no first hand experience to offer because I've only oaked in glass. But I'm interested to see what people suggest. I would think you don't need to do anything but drain the water (really well) and fill with liquor. Unless you smell or see something growing in there like acfixer said.

[bluc]

If that water went bad then the stink will carry to spirit. I made the mistake with a 10l i ruined 10l rum when I used it anyway. Against my better judgement..

[Saltbush Bill]

Storing any barrel for more than a day or two full of water is far from ideal.

[Tummydoc]

You got bad advice on storing with water. But now may have the opportunity to learn about disassembling a barrel, scraping, and re-charring! Camden tablets might have helped but would have been best to wrap the empty barrel in plastic wrap til ready and then rehydrate.

[Not sure]

I have a question about barrels say I'm emptying a barrel of whiskey do I rinse with water before I refill it or just fill it

[still_stirrin]

Fill it with your new make.
ss

[Not sure]

Fill it with your new make.
ss

Thanks ss

[mrblues4625]

thank you for all the in[ut i will dump it out and see what it smells like and go from there.

[Demy]

I do not use barrels for the distillates (use them for wine) but here is my consiglio; Meanwhile, empty the water, let it drain for a few days upside down, then sniffs to understand if the bacteria of the water have proliferated, controls the inside with a torch from the cap to understand the presence of mold. If everything is ok I recommend a rinse with an economic distillate before filling with your product.

[The Baker]

You got bad advice on storing with water. But now may have the opportunity to learn about disassembling a barrel, scraping, and re-charring! ...

Tried disassembling two small barrels.
I have proven that I am not a cooper.
Good job they were small and old.
Just saying, be prepared to fail.

Geoff