Wine Barrels

[FigMania]

I scored 6 brand newly retired half wine barrels from a winery employee who is selling the used barrels. He is selling them to friends and family for $20/barrel which, IMO, is a steal. He even cut them in half form me and ground down the rough edges... all for $10/half..

All that to bring me to my point. I can get a lot of them for the same price.. but, I'd like to start out in a way the might help me get more longevity out of them.

Wood rots.. some types more rapidly than others. Wine barrels are various oak varieties ad are a bit slow to deteriorate. I guess my question is.. if any of you are experienced with them is.... is there a wood preservative I can apply to slow down the process? Years ago one bought outdoor lumber for foundations, gardens, etc that were treated with quite harmful chemicals containing arsenic and possibly other harmful products. Today, I believe with all the environmental issues gong on the preservatives are mostly copper based. How safe do you think these might be for painting the interiors of the barrels?

I'm strongly considering Linseed Oil. It should last a long time and penetrate well into the oak... and it is relatively inexpensive.

[Dave]

Bill that is a steel you can't touch them around here for under $100 which makes them well to valuable to use as planters

[WillsC]

I agree, that is a steal..........

[WillsC]

I just looked, here the barrels are $149 each, for an entire barrel, so yep great deal.

[BrooklynMatty]

That is an insanely great deal, i am extremely jealous. I know Gary uses them, but he is lucky since he's on a vineyard property. I wish there wasnt such demand here in NY, all the vineyards on Long Island charge high price for them.

[FigMania]

Guess I should ask Gary. Almost next door.. 20miles next door.

Bluemalabu would say fig paradise.. but, its also wine paradise.. I'm into beer tho

[lifigs]

Great deal. That is a true "friends and family" price.

[Dave]

Bill I don't think Linseed oil would be a good choice I painted a log with it that I mounted an anvil on and caused all kinds of mold, mildew to grow on it and I believe it even sped up the rotting process Take a look at this http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/inflin.html

This might be a better alternative a plastic liner made for wine barrels https://www.farmandfleet.com/product...FYaPswodqjYIvA I think a nice Spar varnish on the outside would be allot better same stuff they use on boats

[Kelby]

I'll just say to watch as the wood ages. I've seen the wood slats shrink considerably after several years from weathering to the point where the barrels just fall apart. Just a word of caution!

Perhaps use a rubber liner inside the barrel?

[Dave]

If you decide not to use them for planters you could always turn them into a nice set of furniture to sit and admire your fig trees with a nice bottle of wine and some of Mike's Supersod

[Taverna78]

Those are cool Dave! And you got amazing deal on the barrels. Just in my experience I don't think you need to treat the wood at all. If it was actually used to make vino the wood is treated/ sealed or burnt already (obviously with food grade sealant) Papa has Had a tree in 1/2 barrel now over 15 years and is still holding strong. Does it look pretty and new no. But a pressure washer and some weather proofing spray make outside look new again.

[FigMania]

They are Cabernet barrels. I haven't looked them over well .. waiting for the rain to end.. Then I'll make a decision. I'll probably leave them as is. I did see some non-toxic spray to put on.. but it's pricy. If this turns out to be a good source for half barrels.. it's no big deal.. If not??

No more currently available..

[danw]

Check craigslist, there are a bunch for $25. I know that is %150 increase in price, but still reasonable. I don't use any preservative and I have several going strong after 13 years. You could certainly stain or varnish the outside to keep them looking nice, but personally I would not treat the inside if you are going to be eating fruit grown in them.

[FigMania]

Yes, Gary was mentioning that to me. I got the "family" price. I know the regular price is about double that.. so, probably about the same price as you are mentioning, Dan