I pulled the trigger on a 6 gallon Vadai!

[Boatboy24]

+1 on the Meta spray around the stopper. It also works very well in getting stains out of the barrel (if you want to get them out).

 

[Pumpkinman]

Mike, What kind of gas do you suggest? I've been tossing around the idea of using gas to top off carboys as well after seeing Joeswine post.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks again!

 

[ibglowin]

If your gonna do it, Argon is the only gas to use really. Welding supply shops. A small tank should last you a year. Remember it is only for short term use. These days I mostly use it to back fill a carboy while I am waiting for it to clear (week or so at most). I use a solid stopper in the carboy which has dangers if the temps are rising in your winery. I also use it each week on my bottle of top up wines. Fill the barrel (top up) and then backfill the open bottle with Argon and then stopper it until the next week. This will keep your top off wine from oxidizing as you empty it (slowly) week to week. When it gets down to half a bottle, transfer to split. Rinse repeat......

 

[Pumpkinman]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[harleydmn]

Mike, i have nitrogen, can i use that instead of argon?

 

[ibglowin]

Argon is better as it is heavier than air so it tends to "sink" and "blanket" the wine. Nitrogen is lighter than Argon and 80% of the air we breath is Nitrogen so while it doesn't sink or want to rise like say Helium does, it is not as effective at protecting the wine or staying put in your bottle or carboy.