Prepping oak barrel.

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by lackenhauser, Jun 23, 2016.

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  1. lackenhauser

    lackenhauser Pooh-Bah (2,721) Dec 10, 2002 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have a small 5 gallon oak barrel a home distiller used for whiskey. Does this need sanitized in some way shape or form? I am also afraid it will leak at first since it has been empty a few years. I thought at a minimum I'd fill it with boiling water.
     
    #1 lackenhauser, Jun 23, 2016
  2. djuhnk

    djuhnk Aspirant (283) Aug 28, 2013 Minnesota

    Fill half way with hot water, doesn't have to be boiling. But very hot (170 plus) then bung it up, and rock it back and forth a bit. That should pressurize it enough to tell if it's going to leak, and sanitize it a bit.
     
    #2 djuhnk, Jun 23, 2016
  3. HopsintheSack

    HopsintheSack Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2012 California

    If you google oak barrel preparation there is a lot of info out there.
     
    #3 HopsintheSack, Jun 24, 2016
  4. 1beerbaron

    1beerbaron Initiate (0) Mar 24, 2009 Ohio

    The Sour Hour on The Brewing Network covers this in a fair amount of shows as well.
     
    #4 1beerbaron, Jun 27, 2016
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