Quick-Infos - Barrels FAQ
Welcome to Quick-Infos – your source for answers regarding wooden barrels, flower pots, and rain barrels! Here you'll find everything you need to know, from storage to shipping. Our FAQ page is your quick path to clear and concise answers to the most common questions about these products. Whether you're seeking tips on proper storage of wooden barrels, need information on caring for flower pots, or have questions about the shipping of rain barrels – we have the answers you need. Discover how easy it can be to learn all about these practical and versatile products!
Barrels for filling
To fill the wooden barrel for the first time, please proceed as follows: Fill the barrel with cold, clear water before use and then leave it to rest for approx. 24 - 48 hours when full! After the leak test, empty the barrel and fill it with your product.
To fill the wooden barrel, please proceed as follows: Rinse the outside of the barrel with cold, clear water before use. It is best to fill the head with water, leave it to stand for 24 hours, then turn it over and fill the other head again. It is not necessary to soak the inside of the barrel: We check the barrels for leaks before shipping.
Please do not knock the tap into the barrel with a hammer or similar object, as this will crack the tap and render it unusable. Carefully turn the tap into the hole drilled in the bottom of the barrel.
An initial leak in the barrel is nothing unusual and is no cause for concern - wood is a natural material and must first expand again for the storage of wines, beer and distillates. If your barrel still does leak after several days, please fill in our complaints form in the footer.
Our daily work is closely linked to the renewable raw material wood. This close relationship with our wood suppliers, the local forests, gives us the responsibility of sustainable and future-orientated management. To this end, we endeavour to achieve circular value creation wherever possible.
Our barrels are fitted with a plastic stopper, a silicone bung or a wooden bung. You can purchase replacement bungs in our "Accessories" section.
Up to a capacity of 20 l, our barrels are equipped with a trestle as standard. For larger barrels, you will find barrel racks, barrel fastenings and trestles in "Accessories".
The barrels must be stored in an odourless room where the air volume is changed once a day. The ideal humidity (ideal for ageing and storage) is 75% to 80% for distillates and slightly higher for wine storage. The barrels should be checked all round every fortnight. This involves checking for leaks, any broken staves or cracks and the tight fit of the bung. After emptying the barrel, it must be stored upright under the same conditions - see above. In this way, a barrel can survive an empty period of several weeks very well. The barrel must then be refilled. The ideal storage temperature for these barrels is around 15 degrees – but not above 20 degrees Celsius.
Please do not varnish the barrel. The wood needs the ambient air for the desired oxygen exchange. Only special varnishes used in our cooperage guarantee the oxygen exchange.
An optimal environment is best for the wood. If your barrel is too dry, you can help with water (see commissioning). If your barrel store generally has too little humidity, we recommend placing a clean container with very clean water in the store and spraying your barrels regularly with water. However, there are also automated solutions for this.
The duration of the ageing process is ultimately up to you. As a rule of thumb, however, the smaller the barrel, the larger the surface area that comes into contact with your beverage, i.e. the faster the flavour transfer from the wood to the beverage. We are also happy to advise you in detail in a personal discussion with regard to your beer, wine or distillate, as well as the barrel or barrels you would like to use.
Either via the bunghole or via a tap. Wooden taps are not fitted as standard. If you would like a tap, please order this under "Accessories".
This depends on the storage period and the contents. However, the more often a barrel is used, the lower the effect of the wood.
Wood alternatives
These wood products (powders, chips, cubes, sticks and staves) are a modern concept for use and maceration in the wine, alcohol and food industries. When used in a targeted manner, they give the products structure, body and a rounded flavour. Our wood alternative products are subject to strict quality controls and are labelled with batches and lot numbers to ensure complete traceability.
The dosage is between 3 and 10 g/litre. Within this range, there is plenty of scope to control the intensity of the chips, cubes, sticks and staves. We will be happy to assist you with the dosage of wood alternative products. Just send us an e-mail and our sales staff will help you find the right dosage and blend for your product.
Prepare samples in bottles: To get a feel for the products and their effects, various samples should be prepared before actual use. The wood alternative products can be added to the glass bottles in different doses. The contact time here is two to four weeks. Precise documentation of quantity ratios and duration of effect as well as tasting are essential.
For the actual application, we recommend a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 6 months during maturation or refinement. One original container of staves replaces one barrique barrel. On average, 1 to 3 original Staves containers are used for approx. 2,500 l.
Not all products are authorised for use! If you want to work with wood alternative products, you should familiarise yourself with the spirits regulations in your country.
We have a wide range of accessories for the wooden alternatives to make it easier to remove them later. You can find these under our accessories. Of course, you can also place the chips, cubes, sticks and staves loose in your product.
Rain barrels & Rain collectors
A suitable location should be chosen for the rain barrel (see "Where should I place my rain barrel?"). The bung - also known as a plug - is inserted into the barrel from the inside for transport reasons. If it is not in the hole, please check inside the barrel and then insert it from the outside. The rain barrel is now ready to be filled with water. Please note that it may leak at first, but will become leak-proof after two to three days.
The bung may only be attached to the inside of the bunghole for transport purposes. Please secure the bung from the outside before filling the barrel.
We recommend placing the rain barrel on a dry surface to prevent rotting at the bottom of the barrel. For this purpose, we offer special base crosses made of weather-resistant Douglas fir wood. Do not place the barrel on light-coloured tiles or patio slabs as these could discolour. To additionally protect the rain barrel from drying out, a semi -shady to shady location is ideal.
Rain barrels made from used wine barrels usually have a volume of between 225 l and 500 l. New wooden barrels specially produced as rain collectors can have a volume of up to 6,000 l, as can used vats from previous occupancy.
Do you want a higher number of litres than we specify in the rain collectors or rain barrels? Talk to our team personally using the contact form and let us know your requirements.
The lid is held in the barrel solely by the metal rings. The moment it is removed, it loses its tension and no longer seals 100%. The lid prevents leaves, other dirt, or even small animals from falling into the bin.
The oak barrels are used, pre-used barrels. Small scratches and signs of use do not constitute grounds for complaint. This does not affect the function of the rain barrel. The oak barrels darken over the years.
The chestnut barrels were produced for decorative purposes, i.e. alcohol was never stored in them. The barrels are ideal for use as rain barrels. Chestnut wood is characterised by the fact that it darkens quickly. Untreated barrels change their appearance when exposed to the weather. The hoops may very quickly become rusty and the tannins may leach out of the barrel (tannins). Therefore, do not place the chestnut barrels on high-quality terrace slabs or paving stones.
Leaks: If leaks occur around the optional tap, these can be repaired by lubricating with a barrel sealant (talc or Vaseline). If leaks have developed between the staves after the bin has been empty for a long time, proceed as described under "Commissioning".
Yes, the barrel has been filled with (mostly) red wine for years, so the wood releases the red colour into the rainwater. However, this is harmless for your plants.
Wine crystals/mould: Wine crystals occasionally form on the inside of the wine staves. This formation is nothing unusual in a wine barrel, it does nothing to the rainwater or your plants. Standing water can tip over and mould formation cannot be ruled out. If the water smells unpleasant, we advise you to empty the barrel. Do not expose the empty barrel to direct sunlight for long periods, otherwise the wood will dry out and the rain barrel will leak.
The barrel must be emptied in winter. Damage could be caused by frozen layers of ice. Rain barrels can be emptied either via the tap or by turning them over. In this case, open the bunghole by removing the silicone plug. The silicone bung can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
After longer dry periods, the wood contracts and leaks can occur. Only when the barrel is filled with rainwater can the barrel staves swell and the barrel seals. This process can take several "rainy days" under certain circumstances.
We recommend placing the rain barrel on a dry surface to prevent rotting at the bottom of the barrel. For this purpose, we offer special base crosses made of weather-resistant Douglas fir wood. Do not place the barrel on light-coloured tiles or patio slabs as these could discolour. To additionally protect the rain barrel from drying out, a semi -shady to shady location is ideal.
Flower pots
Yes, we recommend drilling holes in the base of the barrel to ensure adequate drainage. When purchasing a flower pot, we will drill the holes for water drainage free of charge on request.
When planting the planters, we strongly recommend drilling holes in the base of the planter for water drainage. When you purchase a planter, we will drill the drainage holes free of charge on request.
No. The wood draws the moisture from the potting soil and thus remains moisturised and sealed.
We recommend placing the barrel on a dry surface so that the base of the barrel does not mould. Do not place the barrel on light-coloured tiles or patio slabs as these could discolour. We offer special under-barrel crosses made of weather-resistant Douglas fir wood.
If you want to treat your flower pot, please use breathable products. Otherwise the wood will not be able to stay moist and will dry out. As a result, the planter will become unstable.
Our flower pots are also ideal for use as mini ponds. Please write this request in the comments field during the ordering process. We will send you the ideal planter for your pond.
We do not recommend keeping animals in our flower pots. Substances such as tannins are washed into the water through pre-coating or the type of wood. Please contact your pet shop or trusted vet with this question.
Barrels for decoration
If you want to treat your barrel, please use breathable products. Otherwise the wood cannot stay moist and will dry out. As a result, the barrel will become unstable.
If you intend to place your barrel on a surface with underfloor heating, we strongly recommend that you have the barrel glued and the tyres additionally secured by us. Heat causes the wood to "shrink", which can lead to instability.
This question is answered in the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ-2VsmenuA
This question is answered in the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ-2VsmenuA
Laser branding
Yes, but depending on the patina or surface treatment, the intensity of the branding may be more or less pronounced. We generally recommend choosing a lighter-coloured barrel.
No. We will laser your template, which you should send to us by e-mail.
The file format of the laser branding sent to us must be a PDF or JPEG. The template must be black and white and without greyscale. Please note that design work is not included in the price.
Please send the template to laser@wilhelm-eder.de, stating where the branding should be placed on the ordered item. Please also state your order number.
The branding is adapted to the size of the barrel. If no agreement has been made, the laser branding is always placed in the centre and as large as possible. The maximum size of the branding is approx. 300 x 300 mm.
This article only counts for one laser branding, for several barrels or several brandings the corresponding number must be ordered.
Lasered items are personalised and cannot be exchanged or returned.
General
Please contact us and we will try to realise your dream. You can reach us by phone, e-mail, via our contact form or in person at our cooperage in Bad Dürkheim.
You can best reach us by phone during our office hours 8:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00 from Monday to Friday. You are also welcome to send us your enquiry using the contact form. We will usually get back to you within 1-2 working days.
Delivery & Costs
We ship barrels up to 50 l with our parcel service, larger or multiple barrels are shipped by a forwarding agent. You can find the exact costs - depending on the weight - in our shipping costs table.
You are welcome to do so. Please note, however, that we first check and prepare every barrel for you, regardless of whether it is new, for restocking or for the garden. Please do not collect the ordered goods until you have been informed by us.
Our collection times in Bad Dürkheim are from Monday to Friday. You can collect your goods from 8:00 - 11:30 in the morning and from 13:00 - 16:30 in the afternoon.
You do not have to collect the goods from us in person. Simply give your order details to the person you trust and, ideally, leave us a comment in your order or reply to the email with the collection information.