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Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:14 pm
by Lowie
Sitting here in my shed watching my bubbler make whiskey, the mind wanders...Any reason why we don't reuse staves? After all, bourbon/whiskey barrels get reused. I've got far too many to use up in my weber and barbie. Interested to hear others thoughts :think:

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:24 pm
by Doubleuj
I reuse my oak many times over...

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:33 pm
by Lowie
Do you notice any flavour profile changes DJ? or is it same, same? Do you need to leave them to oak longer as they get older? so many questions....

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 9:18 pm
by Teddysad
I find a bit of re-char on a bbq hotplate inside aluminium foil brings them back to life very nicely

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 9:20 pm
by Cadmoon
Bourbon barrels aren't reused for bourbon, they have to use virgin barrels. The flavour apparently drops off the more you use it but I have no personal experience.

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:40 pm
by Sam.
A large percentage of the scotch whisky industry use second hand bourbon barrels and they will use them 3 or 4 times

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:53 am
by wynnum1
Scotch whisky how long does it stay in the barrel to age that is going to be a problem where bourbon uses fresh barrels and then on sell .
What happens to a 24 year old Scotch whisky barrel.

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 11:39 am
by Lowie
Teddysad wrote:I find a bit of re-char on a bbq hotplate inside aluminium foil brings them back to life very nicely


Excellent. thanks, I'll give that a go next next time the snags are on!

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:02 pm
by bluc
wynnum1 wrote:Scotch whisky how long does it stay in the barrel to age that is going to be a problem where bourbon uses fresh barrels and then on sell .
What happens to a 24 year old Scotch whisky barrel.

Still ages awesome but you don't get the colour and flavour. My 10l rum barrel barely colours now but it ages snd smoothes the spirit awesomely :handgestures-thumbupleft: I put oak staves in the spirit in glass colour it up and pull the sugars from the wood then put it in barrel to age..

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:36 pm
by Triangle
I reuse good oak staves by planeing and then cutting on drop saw to the surface area I want/fits in opening of demijohn. Then in oven as I use it for red so no char.

I work off 60-90cm2/litre of fluid to achieve the same surface area of wine barrel (I err on the side of caution and use lower figure as there's no coming back from over oaking).

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:37 am
by wynnum1
If you over oak “dilution is the solution to pollution.” would seem to apply try blending to dilute or use in a mixture like one of the milk drink concoctions.

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:32 am
by Gasman
My second post guys,Hi from Cairns.I'm hoping I've done the right thing here.I had an old barrell from Sydney that I no longer wanted.It doesn't suit my place as I now live on the beach and I was going to take it to Vinnies about 2 weeks ago.Anyway last week having found this forum I decided to upgrade my old essencia still ( lol yes I know ) to a FSD ( hopefully arrives today ) and I wanded across Bourbon Dominoes which I had never heard about ....anyway a light bulb moment and I got the circular saw out..

So the barrell was lacquered and I dead set ripped the shit out of the varnish with a 40 grit flapper disc back to bare beautiful wood.The inside is charred.I painstakingly chiselled the staves to split them.Not sure to toast them or char the outside? I haven't yet got any spirit to put them in.I am only interested in making Bourbon.I bought a second hand Corner keg and can put them in as is ? Although have no idea how many to use ?

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:49 pm
by bluc
Char with propane torch.
Toast in oven or bbq low and slow, watch like a hawk.
Be anal bout removing the varnish small flake will ruin lot booze..

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:18 pm
by Yonder
Gasman, I reuse my oak several times. I first cut away the old char on a bandsaw then wrap in foil, toasting at 375F for 2 to 2.5 hours. Gives a nice dark brown finish with great vanilla nose. Some of the staves I’ll alligator char with a torch to give more depth of color to my product. Enjoy.

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:39 pm
by Gasman
Thanks gents
Yes I hear what you say about the varnish.I was pretty ruthless.
Thanks for the toast / char tips.I feel lucky to be in a position to experiment a tad as I've got a big pile of staves to play with.
I got my still today from FSD,complete with a chuppachup.I will build on the unit over time but owe a huge thanks to the contribution you guys make
With thanks..

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:44 pm
by bluc
Looks awesome couple bits and you will also have a pot :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:53 pm
by Andrew
Looking good sitting out in the driveway like that :laughing-rolling:
Oh and Bluc, he has the bits to make it a pot.
Gasman , the controller and stuff is on its way :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Cheers

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:51 pm
by bluc
Sweet

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:11 pm
by Yonder
Beauty!

Re: Re-using staves

PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 2:48 pm
by Bourbon_Knight
Hi all
Wondering if anyone has had experience with reused staves/dominoes imparting any flavour from previous batches?

My first batches had a heavy floral taste to the product.
Since then I've upgraded equipment, acid clean and rinse copper scrubbers after each spirit run, changed recipe (to UJSSM) and have improved my distilling processes, yet I'm still noticing an almost floral undertone.
Thought perhaps it might be from reusing staves that were used in some of those earlier batches.

cheers