Cider Digest #0823

Published in

· 7 months ago

Subject: Cider Digest #823, 21 August 1999 
From: cider-request@talisman.com 

Cider Digest #823                                         21 August 1999 

                 Forum for Discussion of Cider Issues 
                      Dick Dunn, Digest Janitor 

Contents: 
  re: Oak Barrels (Dick Dunn) 
  Whisky Barrels ("Richard Anderson") 

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Subject: re: Oak Barrels 
From: rcd@raven.talisman.com (Dick Dunn) 
Date: 16 Aug 99 01:43:42 MDT (Mon) 

Lawrence Scott <azureyes99@juno.com> wrote: 

> I recently found a large whisky barrel of about 50 gallons.  I appears 
> clean, but in need of some repairs.  Does anyone have any information on 
> recycling something like this? 
>  
> Any insights would be appreciated. 

One of the first concerns with any old barrel is that if it's old enough, 
it may have dried out.  If the barrel has held liquid, then dried out, you 
may have a lot of trouble making it tight again. 

I would think the first step would be to try to re-hydrate it:  Fill it 
with water and see whether it leaks.  Give it a while to absorb water and 
swell before you conclude that it won't close up, but don't be surprised if 
it keeps leaking. 

I'm of two minds whether you should add Campden tablets to the water right 
away.  On the one hand, if the barrel has been around for a while, it might 
need a good dose of sanitation.  On the other hand, this would soak a lot 
of SO2 into the wood and it might take a while to leave. 
- --- 
Dick Dunn          rcd@talisman.com          Hygiene, Colorado  USA 
   ...If you plant ice, you're gonna harvest wind. 

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Subject: Whisky Barrels 
From: "Richard Anderson" <BaylonAnderson@Compuserve.Com> 
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999 17:52:39 -0700 

It depends, first whisky barrels are usually charred to mellow the 
whisky. If you want to use them for wine or cider remove the top hoop, 
top and remove the char with a wire brush. If the staves are really dry 
and loose you may want to soak it first see if it worth the effort. I 
restored an dozen or so barrels a number of years ago for a small family 
wine cellar and we used them for a number of years with good results. 
While cheap, whisky barrels are a high maintaince item and require 
cleaning before and after each cycle. I am under the impression that 
they are no longer available for reuse. 

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End of Cider Digest #823 
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