How long can I leave a barrel dry?

[dereka138]

I have the option to buy 6 wine barrels at a great deal but will not use them until August. I don't want to miss out but don't want to waist money. what can I do?? Fill with water?

[Kbar]

Seems like a good site. They talk about wine barrels and cleaning agents and what happens during extended drying periods. May be slanted towards distilling though.

http://bootleggersbarrels.com/page/barrel-faqs

[Ozwald]

I have the option to buy 6 wine barrels at a great deal but will not use them until August. I don't want to miss out but don't want to waist money. what can I do?? Fill with water?

Yeah, just fill them with water. The concern is that wood shrinks as it dries out & if those staves shrink, you'll have some leakage going on. Nobody likes leakage. So give them the old taint push & fill them up with some water. Check them every few weeks in case you get some heavy evaporation. Top them up as needed.

[brewinhard]

Maybe add a little meta-bisulfite to ensure nothing starts to grow?

[Ozwald]

Maybe add a little meta-bisulfite to ensure nothing starts to grow?

Whatcha got against sea monkeys?

[brewinhard]

I just hate it when they start performing circus tricks...