Barrel empty

[WillShill]

Hi newbie to barrel ageing , I’ve a 23 litre new barrel which had a Chilean Malbec kit in for 30 days, I’ve just racked to a PET carboy, I’ve 3 more kits ageing and intend to barrel finish them.
Do I rinse with water as after racking, I had half a glass of sediment left in the barrel, I’m just not ready to introduce new wine for a few days as I need to wax a few spots that oozed for a week when I first added wine.

 

[mainshipfred]

If it stopped leaking after the week I would say the barrel is fine. It just might have needed a little more time swelling. If it did still leak I would recommend tightening the hoops, it does wonders for sealing a barrel. Which ever route you decide I would not leave the barrel empty unless you have sulfur sticks to burn.

 

[WillShill]

Thanks for your quick reply, I’ve waxed a few areas and that was more precautionary, do I lightly rinse inside the barrel with fresh water, and would the barrel be fine empty until tomorrow afternoon.

 

[mainshipfred]

If immediately filling the barrel a good rinse is fine. Just to be safe I might recommend putting a little K-meta solution in it to make sure nothing starts growing.

 

[She’sgonnakillme]

I would rinse it well (I use one of these and it is great for small barrels)

Yiliaw Extendable Hydro Jet Washer High Pressure Pow... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z6TRP7...t_i_PXCFP8J5K2NM4MFFW3F1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Then I fill them with this and let sit 24 hrs before I rinse out and refill..

Logic Barrel OxyFresh Barrel Cleaner and Refresher -... Amazon.com: Logic Barrel OxyFresh Barrel Cleaner and Refresher - 1 Pound Bag : Home & Kitchen

 

[WillShill]

Just decided on earlier advice from @mainshipfred and just flushed with fresh water and then emptied another carboy of a Bordeaux blend wine kit, had a pint excess which tasted quite good.

 

[winemaker81]

It's a good idea to clean the barrel between wine, but it's far better to rinse and immediately refill the barrel than to leave it empty for any significant period of time. Filling with the Bordeaux kit was the best choice.