Before First Use
Why Is It Important to Soak an Oak Barrel?
1) The wood of a “fresh” barrel — one that has never been used — contains a high concentration of resins and tannins. These are natural compounds found in the bark, wood, and leaves of oak trees.
Soaking is necessary to remove the excess of these substances. Otherwise, if you pour alcohol directly into the barrel, the drink will absorb them and become undrinkable.
2) Wood is a living material. If a barrel has been standing unused for some time — for example, new barrels stored in a warehouse or those between uses — the moisture inside the wood evaporates. The staves dry out, shrink, and small gaps appear, causing leaks. This is not a defect but a completely natural process.
When soaked, the staves reabsorb moisture, swell, and the gaps disappear.
Preparation Steps
1. Soaking
Fill the barrel completely with clean water at room temperature.
If the barrel leaks, refill it to the top several times a day.
Change the water every 2–3 days for at least 3–4 weeks (depending on the size and dryness of the barrel), until the drained water becomes clear, odorless, and tasteless.
Average soaking time:
- Oak barrels and tubs, 3–15 L — about 1 month
- Oak barrels and tubs, 25–50 L — about 1.5 months
- Linden tubs — 5–7 days is usually enough
2. Rinsing the Barrel with Baking Soda Solution
This step completes the cleaning process and helps improve the flavor of the barrel.
Oak contains tannins (natural acids), while baking soda is alkaline — it neutralizes acidity, softening the wood’s taste and ensuring a smoother, more balanced drink later.
Prepare a soda solution using 20 grams of baking soda per 1 liter of boiling water. Let it cool slightly, then pour it into the barrel until it’s about one-third full.
Approximate amount of baking soda per barrel:
- 3 L — 2 tsp
- 5 L — 3 tsp
- 10 L — 5 tsp
- 30 L — 7 tsp
- 50 L — 100 g
- 100 L — 150 g
- 200 L — 250 g
Seal the barrel with the lid and shake it vigorously for about 10 minutes so the solution rinses all inner surfaces.
After 10 minutes, open the bung and drain the water. The solution inside should not cool down — if it gets cold, the wood may absorb unwanted odors.
3. Rinsing with Water
Drain the soda solution and rinse the barrel 5–6 times with clean, cold water — fill it up and drain completely each time.
After this step, your barrel is ready for use.
Preparing a Barrel or Tub for Reuse After Storage
Inspect the item before use. If the metal hoops have slipped, move them back into position and temporarily secure them with tape or small nails if needed.
Fill the barrel completely with cold water. At first, it may leak slightly at the joints — just keep topping it up. Over time, the wood will absorb moisture, swell, and the leaks will seal themselves.
If the barrel or tub has become very dry and the water leaks out immediately, ensure a constant water supply to the inside, or place the entire barrel in a container filled with water.
The soaking time depends on how dry the wood is — it can take from 7 days to 2 months. During soaking, replace the water every two weeks.
After soaking, rinse the barrel thoroughly with clean water (you may add baking soda — 20 g per 1 L of water).
If the barrel develops an unpleasant odor during storage, soak it in a baking soda solution for 3–5 days.
If hot water or steam treatment is necessary, always warm the barrel first with lukewarm water to prevent cracking.