Drawing of a wooden barrel. How to make a wooden barrel with your own hands? Spruce containers

  • 03.03.2020

What can be compared, for example, with a cucumber or a tomato pickled in an oak tub. And honey is perfectly stored in a linden barrel, Apple juice, you can cook kvass in it. Finally, an oak tub with a lemon or laurel tree even today will not spoil the interior of even a city apartment. Just do not find these simple products either in the store or on the market. But you can make a barrel yourself with your own hands, and although this task is not an easy one, an amateur master is quite capable of coping with it.

Rivets

First of all, you need to choose wood. Oak and pine are unsuitable for storing honey - honey darkens in an oak barrel, and smells of resin in a pine barrel. Here we need linden, aspen, plane tree. Poplar, willow, alder will also come down. But for salting, pickling or urinating, there is nothing better than oak - such a barrel will serve for more than a decade. For other needs, you can use blackberry, beech, spruce, fir, pine, cedar, larch and even birch.

Usually, the lower part of the trunk of old trees goes to riveting, it is called “riveter”. But a lover of tinkering will choose blanks from ordinary firewood, and adapt a thin trunk to the job. It is best to make riveting from raw wood. First, the chock - it should be 5-6 cm longer than the future riveting - is split in half, gently tapping the log on the butt of the ax. Each half is then again pricked into two parts, and so on, depending on the thickness of the chock (Fig. 1), in order to ultimately obtain blanks 5-10 cm wide (15 cm for sweet clover) and 2.5-3 cm thick. just try to split it radially - this will save the riveting in the future from cracking.

The chopped blanks are dried in a room with natural ventilation at least a month. You can use a dryer to speed up the process. The dried workpiece is processed with a plow or sherhebel and a planer. Planed first outside surface rivets. At the same time, to check the curvature of the surface, a template should be prepared in advance (Fig. 2), cutting it out of a thin plank according to the finished product. Next, the side surfaces are planed, also checking their curvature according to the template.

The riveting is kadushechnaya - in which one end is wider than the other, and barrel riveting - with an extension in the middle. The size of these extensions determines the taper of the tub and the convexity of the central part of the barrel. It is enough if the ratio between the widest and narrowest part of the riveting is 1.7-1.8 (Fig. 3).

The processing of the side surface is completed with a jointer. It is more convenient to do this by moving the workpiece along the jointer (Fig. 4). At the next stage, we process the inner (in relation to the finished barrel) surface of the riveting, cutting off excess wood with a planer or even an ax (Fig. 5). After that, the barrel riveting can be considered finished, while the barrel riveting still needs to be thinned in the middle to 12-15 mm (Fig. 6). Let it not bother you that rivets can have different widths - we take everything possible from each workpiece.

hoops

Barrel hoops are made of wood or steel. Wooden ones are not so strong, and a hundred times more hassle, so it is better to use steel ones. Hot-rolled steel tape with a thickness of 1.6-2.0 mm and a width of 30-50 mm goes to the hoops.

Having measured the barrel at the place where the hoop was stretched, we add to this size the double width of the strip. With hammer blows, we bend the workpiece into a ring, punch or drill holes and put rivets made of soft steel wire with a diameter of 4-5 mm (Fig. 7). One inner edge of the hoop must be flared with blows of the pointed end of the hammer on a massive steel stand (Fig. 8).

According to the location on the product, the hoops are divided into farts - the central hoop on the barrel, the morning - extreme and cervical - intermediate.

Assembly

To one jack-of-all-trades, the grandmother brought a crumbling tub with a request to collect it. Tom had never had to do this before, but he did not refuse the old woman. He came up with the following: he threw a rope on the floor and laid out one to the other rivets on it. Then he crushed them with pillows and pulled the ends of the rope together. Gradually removing the pillows, he brought the extreme rivets together and secured them with a hoop.

Coopers make it easier...

The product is assembled for any flat surface. First, two rivets are attached to the hoop opposite each other with special brackets bent from hooped iron (Fig. 9). Then, attaching rivets to one of them, we get to the other, which will tighten the assembled half of the barrel. Continue assembly until the rivets fill the entire perimeter of the hoop.

Lightly tapping the hoop with a hammer, we upset it and check whether the edges of the riveting are tightly aligned. To achieve contact of the rivets over the entire side surface, you need to add a rivet or pull out an extra one and after that put a permanent hoop. By the way, if changing the number of rivets does not give the desired effect, you just need to narrow one of the rivets or replace the narrow one with a wider one.

Having trimmed the ends of the skeleton with light blows of the hammer, we put on the middle hoop and push it all the way with the help of a hammer (Fig. 10).

Having exposed the skeleton on a flat surface, we describe with a pencil using a bar (Fig. 11) the cut line. Having planted the morning hoop, we cut the skeleton 2-3 mm from it and clean the ends of the rivets with a planer. We do the same with the other end of the skeleton.

In the manufacture of a barrel, after fitting an onion, neck and morning hoop on one side, the other side must first be pulled off. Coopers have for this special device- yoke. Home master may use rope, rope, chain or wire for the same purpose. You can tie a loop and twist it with a gag or pull the ends of the cable with a lever (Fig. 12).

There is no need to do any steaming or boiling of the skeleton, as some experts recommend, before tightening. Occasionally, however, it happens that the riveting does not bend along the entire length, but in one place and therefore gives a crack. However, in such cases, the cooper will prefer to simply make a new riveting.

Dona

The assembled skeleton is cleaned from the inside with a plow or sherhebel, and the ends of the skeleton with a humpback planer (Fig. 13).

Now in the skeleton you need to make a groove (Fig. 14). The cutter of the tool can be made from hooped iron, and even better, from a saw blade. The depth and width of the groove must be 3 mm (Fig. 15).

First, a bottom shield is assembled from a sweet clover with a planed outer side and jointed side surfaces (Fig. 16). The sweet clover is fastened with nails, as shown in the figure, for which nests are pre-drilled 15-20 mm deep. The radius of the future bottom is found as the side regular hexagon, inscribed in the circle of the morning groove on the skeleton of the barrel. However, you need to cut the bottom with a margin, deviating from the intended circle by 1-1.5 mm. After cleaning with a sherhebel, chamfers are cut from the edge of the bottom (Fig. 17) so that the thickness of the wood is 3 mm three millimeters from the edge - this is necessary for the tight connection of the bottom with the frame in the morning groove (Fig. 18).

We make the first fitting - loosening the hoop, insert the bottom, inserting one side of it into the groove, and then with light blows of the hammer and the rest. If the bottom is tight, you still need to loosen the hoop, and if it's too loose, tighten it.

After stuffing the hoop, make sure there are no gaps. The perfect result the first time is rarely achieved. Even if the cracks are not visible to the eye, they can be found by pouring a little water into the barrel. If it flows between the rivets, then the bottom is too big and it needs to be slightly pared. Worse, if water flows through the bottom or through the morning groove. Then you have to disassemble the skeleton and narrow one of the rivets.

Before installing the second bottom, a filling hole with a diameter of 30-32 mm should be drilled in it. The cork is made as shown in Fig. 19, its height should not be less than the thickness of the bottom, however, the cork should not protrude beyond the cut plane of the core.

How many barrels to serve

First of all, it depends on the operating conditions. But it is important to remember what to paint jellied containers oil paint should not be: it clogs the pores, which contributes to the decay of wood. It is desirable to paint the hoops - they will not rust. For decorative purposes, a barrel, a flower tub can be treated with mordants.

The brown color of the oak is given by slaked lime mixed with a 25% ammonia solution. Black - a solution of iron sulfate or an infusion for 5-6 days of iron filings in vinegar.

A decoction of the rhizomes of the fragrant woodruff (Asperula odo-rata) turns linden and aspen red. Red-brown color gives a decoction of onion peels, brown - a decoction of opriodny walnut. These dyes are brighter than chemical ones and more stable.

It must be remembered that wood is better preserved when continuous mode humidity. Therefore, dry products must always be kept dry, and bulk products filled with liquid. Both cannot be placed directly on the ground. It is better to substitute a brick or plank under the barrel than to subsequently get rid of the rot by cutting the chimes.

The barrel in our time not only has a practical function. Today, for storing liquids or something else, they are used in warehouses, in wine cellars and so on. For decorative purposes, they began to be made relatively recently. With skillful processing, they can be used for decoration. garden plot, as well as in the form of furniture: chairs, tables, bar counters, etc.

Even a well-worn barrel can be restored and used for other purposes. For this, of course, you need a fair amount of imagination. You also need to take into account its condition so that the material is not too dry from time to time, otherwise all efforts will come to naught in the very first time of its operation. There are actually quite a few ideas on how to turn such a container into something more functional or beautiful. For example, in the garden you can break a mini-flower bed on it, and on several levels. Or make interesting table or bench. You can even organize a fountain in them, only it will not last long if the wood is not properly processed: under the influence of water, it can quickly lose both its aesthetic appearance and strength. Some craftsmen adapt the barrel for a washbasin: for this, a sink is inserted into the upper part, and a pipe is installed inside the barrel.

How to make a wooden barrel with your own hands

Before you start making a barrel with your own hands, you need to decide on the material. Usually used for this purpose? do-it-yourself barrel

Before you mount the barrel, you must first make the frets. This wooden planks that are sawn from a tree trunk. They can also be made by splitting wooden blocks. Sawn, as a rule, are stronger than chipped because it is not always possible to split the log correctly, and because of this, part of the strength may be lost.

It has long been customary to fasten the frets into a single structure using metal hoops, which are made of durable sheet steel. To make the barrel even more durable, you can additionally nail them. The number of hoops depends on the height of the barrel, but, as a rule, there are at least three of them.

The last stage is the installation of the bottom. After it is installed on the owl, a hoop is put on for fixing, which is also additionally nailed for greater strength.

How to make a bar at home from an old wooden barrel

In fact, there are a lot of options for barrel minibars. It can be a variant with a front door, and opening from the top, and with an open interior space with shelves for storing drinks. Which one is considered the best is hard to say. It all depends on taste preferences.

barrel bar

Before proceeding with the manufacture of a bar from a barrel, it is necessary to clean the old wood. This must be done both inside and out. Before that, you need to remove all hoops, except for the one that holds the bottom. They then put on quite simply, and you can move them down to the desired level with a hammer. Then the edges are aligned on the side of the bottom, on the other side. We leave one part open for now. Next, the hoops are processed special composition so that later the metal does not rust. If you need a front hole, mark the location and cut it out.

If you are engaged in the manufacture of your own wine, pickles, then you know that there is no better container than a wooden barrel. After all, made of wood, it becomes one of the main points in the recipe, it is an environmentally friendly raw material that retains taste and taste. beneficial features products. In addition, the alcohol contained in wines or moonshine, when interacting with containers made of synthetic materials: plastic, nylon, can dissolve them and the interaction products are mixed with the drink.

Purchasing a barrel for your winemaking or brining is not difficult, but if you want to save money or like to do everything yourself, then it is worth learning the technique of making an oak barrel with your own hands. This is a process that takes a lot of time and effort, but with our advice, you will see that making a barrel with your own hands is not so difficult even for those who have never done it.

The manufacture of barrels from wood is called "cooperage", and the master who deals with this business is a cooper. This is a whole art, which originated in Ancient Greece and still popular today. The technology has not changed for thousands of years, is time-tested and not as difficult to implement as it seems at first glance. But how to make a barrel yourself in modern conditions?

Choosing wood

First of all, of course, choose the material from which you are going to make your future barrel. We will offer you the main types of wood that coopers prefer, tell you what their positive and negative sides and help you choose the best suitable option just for you.

Oak

Of course, first of all, we should talk about the manufacture of oak barrels. This wood rightfully deserves the title of a classic material used by master coopers. With high strength, flexibility, this tree contains "tannins" that act as an antiseptic. The moisture acting on the walls of such a barrel makes them stronger. Therefore, the service life of oak barrels is measured not even in tens, but in hundreds of years. With drinks stored in such a barrel, the processes of oxidation and interaction with wood take place, and they acquire a pleasant aroma with a hint of vanilla.

Fur tree, pine tree

These types of wood are also used as material for the manufacture of barrels. They are soft, easier to process and cut, but inferior in strength to oak and many other species. Their disadvantage is the smell of resin, which is why this type of wood is rarely used as a material for barrels.

Cedar

Of the representatives of coniferous varieties, coopers prefer it, especially in those places where its natural habitat is located. By properties, it is similar to pine or spruce, but such barrels have no smell. They are well suited for storing products, especially for dairy products.

Linden

This type of wood is fibrous, perfectly cut and processed. Strong material, does not give in to drying out, does not smell. Linden barrels are recognized as the best for storing and transporting honey, caviar, and pickles.

Aspen

This is a cheap, but long-lasting material, it is strong, resistant to moisture, and has antiseptic properties. Aspen was recognized as ideal for pickling and storing vegetables. The peculiarity of this variety is that it swells a lot, but for a cooper it is rather a plus, because thanks to this, the rivets close tightly.

We make rivets

So, you have decided on the type of wood, let's say it will be oak. Now we make the details of the barrel, starting with the rivets. These are tapering at the edges, or rectangular boards (sawn or chipped). The latter win in terms of strength due to the structure of the fibers, which does not undergo destruction during splitting.

The shape of the stave depending on the type of barrel

To determine the exact number of such rivets, do the following:

  • Determine the required barrel parameters
  • Make drawings of your design
  • Create sketches of riveting and bottoms in natural sizes

After these procedures, perform simple calculations that allow you not to miscalculate how many rivets you need. It is calculated by the formula: 2*Pi*R/Sh, where:

  • Pi is a constant value of 3.14
  • P - radius of the bottom (if the sides are equal) or the middle (if the sides are convex)
  • W - size of the width of the riveting

Barrel sizes depending on volume

It will take a lot of time and labor to make stab rivets; certain skills are needed here. The main thing to do is to split the workpiece so that fragments with a smooth surface are obtained.

Scheme of the split of the fire on rivets

There are two main ways to split:

  • Radially (the split goes through the core of the deck, which requires less effort)
  • Tangentially (does not affect the core, not recommended for use on hardwood, it makes the process slower and more difficult)

It is easiest to process raw material, freshly cut is best. If you use ready-made boards, make sure that the annual rings go along their plane, without sawing.

After harvesting, you need to dry it, in the summer, in the air, under a canopy, this period will be from 3 months. For artificial drying, the following method is used:

  1. Glue paper on the ends of the rivets
  2. Place in oven
  3. Leave it there for a day

Ready for barrel staves

The blanks are now ready for further work.

We make a hoop

Another detail is the hoop. It helps to connect all the rivets, creating a single whole; stainless steel is used to make the hoop.

Modern barrels have three hoops:

  • Farts (closer to the center)
  • Morning (closer to the edge)
  • Neck (if the barrel has a large volume, they are additionally placed between the first two)

The size of the hoop depends on the volume of the container (thickness*width):

  • Up to 25 l - 1.6mm * 3cm
  • 25 - 50 l - 1.6mm * 3.6cm
  • Up to 100 l - 1.6mm * 4-4.5cm
  • 120 liters and more - 1.8 * 5cm

Stainless steel barrel hoops

You will need temporary metal hoops, which are made according to the following algorithm:

  1. Cut out required size sheet steel strips
  2. Make holes at the ends of the strips, which are fastened with rivets

Collecting the barrel

Now we have approached the main stage - the assembly of a barrel, consisting of staves, which are connected first by temporary, and then by permanent hoops.



Process with a tool - grinding, cut off uneven ends, drill a filler hole.

Watch a video on how an oak barrel is made.

Oak barrel repair

Do you have an old barrel that you do not use because it is dry, leaking, or for some other reason it is not suitable, watch the video on how the repair is done.

The second part of the video if the barrel is flowing

Cooperage is one of the most difficult craft, so the answer to the question, how to make a barrel with your own hands, will also be difficult. This is a very time-consuming process, requiring a decent professional level from the performer and the availability of a large number of tools for wood processing.

Types of barrels for their intended purpose and wood for their manufacture

Before you wonder how to make a barrel you need to decide what you need it for. The choice of material and method of manufacture depends on this. This type of container is made for the following purposes:

  1. for fermentation, aging and storage of spirits, wine and beer;
  2. for the preparation and storage of pickles;
  3. for storage of dry products;
  4. for storing honey, etc.

Barrels for drinks have two bottoms and a hole for inserting taps. The same type of container, but without holes, was previously used for long-term storage of certain products (for example, corned beef).

For other purposes, barrels with one bottom are enough - they are also called tubs. From above they are covered with a lid or circle for oppression. Making these parts is much easier than the bottom. Make a wooden barrel can be from such types of wood as:

  1. oak;
  2. ash;
  3. cherry;
  4. Linden;
  5. alder and others.

The wood of the first three types is the most versatile. It is equally suitable for containers of any purpose. However, the "champion" should be recognized as an oak barrel, which, being strong, reliable and durable, provides ideal conditions for storing food.

Oak products have antiseptic properties, release tannins into alcoholic beverages, improving their taste, and also easily withstand the effects of brines when harvesting pickles. Ash and cherry are the first "deputies" of oak wood. They have similar but weaker properties. Therefore, we will consider . The manufacture of containers from other types of wood, such as linden, has no fundamental differences, with the exception of nuances finishing.

Oak barrel for honey

Rules for the procurement of material for barrels

Before you start doing handmade wooden barrel should be prepared and prepared quality material. The wood must be mature, healthy, free from defects (knots, slant)


best time for harvesting material is late autumn or winter, when the natural moisture content of wood is at a minimum.

It is unlikely that you will be able to meet all the requirements. For example, for the manufacture of staves for wine and cognac barrels of the highest quality category, the process of drying and aging wood takes 6–8 years, but if you are only concerned about how to make a barrel for yourself, follow these rules:

  1. Before drying, the logs are split into blanks of the desired thickness;
  2. Drying is carried out in a place closed from direct sunlight - under a canopy, in a barn, etc .;
  3. The duration of drying depends on many factors and can take 1-3 months;
  4. the residual moisture content of the wood before processing should be about 25%.

Speeding up the drying process using hot air and other methods usually results in deterioration of the quality of the wood and its properties in the finished product. Tips, , also take into account the need to hold the processed rivets before assembling the product. As a result, the residual moisture content of the wood should be 17–20%.

Making rivets and tools for this

For those who wish make your own oak barrel the most difficult will be the manufacture of rivets. The process of marking and splitting logs is clearly shown in the following figure.


As a result, you will get blanks of a conical section, from which, after drying, riveting is made. This detail has a complex shape, so its manufacture places high demands on the skill of the performer. The main dimensions of the barrel and its elements, depending on the volume, are as follows:

This table will help you figure out how to make a barrel, and the drawing - to understand how to give the rivets the desired shape

Tool

And what tools do you need for this. The curvature of the sides should provide the barrel with a taper of about 8°, due to which the product is resistant to loads from the outside and from the inside. To treat the surfaces of rivets, a planer, jointer, sherhebel, plow and other tools of this group are used. In this case, the outer surface of the part should have a slightly convex shape, and the inner one should have a concave shape.

Barrel capacity, l

Height, mm

Center diameter, mm

Edge diameter, mm

Riveting width, mm

Riveting thickness, mm

Bottom thickness, mm

Planing accuracy and quality are regularly checked against the template. To calculate the number of rivets, the largest circumference (in the center of the barrel) should be divided by the width of the blanks. This way you will also determine the exact and uniform size of the part. The process of making rivets can be seen in the video.

After that, the answer to the question of how to make an oak barrel with your own hands, will become clearer as you master the toughest challenge.

Making bottom shields and tools for this

For the manufacture of bottom shields, 4–6 planks are used, interconnected by studs made of wood or stainless steel. Drawings, or, more precisely, instructions, of this process are given here

But at first we will limit ourselves only to connecting the planks, since the rest of the operations are carried out taking into account the dimensions of the assembled barrel body. We will have to do the following:

  1. draw a circle on the shield: its diameter should correspond to the size of the bottom of the barrel, to which is added twice the depth of the morning groove (this is 6 mm);
  2. perform filing along the contour with a bow saw or circular saw;
  3. chamfer around the entire circumference so that the bottom enters the morning groove.

In a similar way (adjusted for a larger or smaller diameter), a cover and a circle for oppression are made. If you intend make your own barrel for drinks that have two bottoms, it should be remembered that such products are made according to individual measurements for the top and bottom. You will see the result of your efforts only after you collect all the details into a single whole. Assembling the barrel is the most enjoyable stage of its manufacture. We will describe how this process is carried out below.

Barrel Assembly Order

The following information about how to make a barrel, will be recommendations for its assembly. For this, apart from wooden parts, you will need metal hoops - assembly and permanent. The first of them serves to set and fix the complete skeleton. Permanent hoops are divided into morning and cervical (umbilical). They provide tightening of the rivets. To make a wooden barrel from the available kit of parts, you will need to perform the following operations:


  1. using clamps on the assembly hoop, fix two, and preferably three, rivets;
  2. Fill the space between them with the remaining parts;
  3. put on a neck hoop from the fixed side;
  4. Steam the loose side of the skeleton and pull off the rivets with the help of a collar (noose), after which put on the morning and neck hoop on this side of the skeleton;
  5. on the side of the assembly hoop, cut a morning groove for installing the bottom;
  6. cut and process the first bottom, then put it in place;
  7. On the same side, install a morning hoop, which finally fixes the bottom;
  8. to finish the inner and outer surface of the barrel body;
  9. to carry out hardening (firing) from the inside;
  10. Repeat the bottom installation operation on the opposite side.

The initial stage of assembly can be seen in the video

.

One more video

will give an idea of ​​the subsequent operations. However, in this case, an allowance should be made for the fact that professionals work here, who have their own techniques and perform many actions automatically. Perhaps not everything will work out the first time, but how to make your own oak barrel you will definitely learn.

For barrels with a capacity of up to 50 liters, four hoops are used; for larger containers, their number is increased to six. They are made from a steel strip 30–50 wide and 1.5–2 mm thick. The diameter of the hoop is determined by measuring the place of its installation on the body of the product. Double the bandwidth is added to the value obtained. This is necessary to connect the strip into a ring using rivets made of forged steel wire with a cross section of 4–5 mm.

Answering the question how to make a barrel, it is necessary to mention that one edge inside the hoop requires flaring. This gives it the necessary taper for a snug fit to the frame rivets when putting on and upsetting. Cutting the morning groove is performed using a special tool, which is called a morning time in professional slang. The procedure is somewhat reminiscent of opening a round tin can.

In an article about how to make a barrel, it is impossible not to mention the hardening of the product. Most often this is achieved by firing. This ensures increased resistance of wood to moisture, organic acids and other influences. It is most convenient to perform the firing of a case without a bottom using a burner such as a portable forge


Finishing surfaces, drilling holes for taps (chops) is done before firing.

Checking the barrel and preparing it for use

Our advice on how to make a wooden barrel with your own hands, completes with information on how to check its tightness and prepare the product for use. To search for leaks, the barrel is filled with water. If within an hour of filling it is still leaking, you will need to take steps to seal it. To do this, there is a proven "old-fashioned" method using cattail, which is also called barrel grass. They caulk leaks. Another method of sealing is waxing with natural wax.

Each master has his own answers to the question, how to make a barrel, and many professional secrets, for the disclosure of which one would have to write an entire monograph. Therefore, you will have to turn more than once for help to experts on the most different nuances barrel manufacturing process. By the way, the literary hero Robinson Crusoe was never able to cope with this task. When you achieve the tightness of the product, it remains only to prepare the barrel for use.

Answering the question how to make an oak barrel, should also give recommendations for soaking it. Most often this is done with ordinary water. The procedure takes up to 10 days with fluid changes every two to three days. However, for barrels intended for strong drinks, soaking lasts from one month to six months using alcohol-containing liquids with a strength of 18-55%. In this article, we have tried to answer the main questions regarding how to make a barrel. We hope that this information will be useful to you.

Bondage is ancient craft, but it does not cease to exist. It is difficult to come up with a more suitable and practical container for pickling vegetables and fruits, aging alcoholic beverages than a barrel. Not only the convenience and ease of use of the container make it so popular. An important role is played by properly selected wood for the barrel, which can provide excellent conditions for storing food. How to choose the right option among such a variety? What wood are barrels for pickles, cognac made of? This article will help you with all questions.

The reason for such a demand for wooden barrels is simply explained. Products are created from environmentally friendly material, without the use of chemicals and welding. In addition, the container is ideal for storing and transporting food, as they do not absorb harmful and toxic substances. However, there are different types wood for barrels, the choice of which depends mainly on the purpose of the container. Preparation of pickling, aging of wines or cognac - before manufacturing or buying a product, you should carefully study the characteristics of the material and its effect on the product.

A little about manufacturing

The production technology of barrels practically does not depend on the type of wood used. First, rivets are created (industrial or traditional way). After that, they are thoroughly dried to minimize the possibility of deformation of the finished barrel. This is followed by hydrothermal treatment. Then the master sets the bottom and carefully scrapes the surface of the container.

Classification of products by wood species

To decide which wood to make a barrel for cabbage, apples, cucumbers or alcoholic beverages from, you need to familiarize yourself with the properties and capabilities of each type of material. Usually in cooperage use such wood:

  • cedar;
  • Linden;
  • ash;
  • Pine.

All materials for a wooden barrel have their advantages and disadvantages, and also have a special effect on the products in the container. Therefore, when preparing a container, it is very important to take into account various nuances.

oak products

At all times the oak was considered best material for making barrels. The wood is characterized by density and good pliability for splitting, but processing requires a lot of effort. Among more than 400 species of wood, American white, sessile and pedunculate oaks are in the greatest demand. The first option contains a small amount of tannin, but this is offset by the presence of aromatic substances. The structure of the material is very dense and remains watertight even when sawing. The pedunculate and sessile oaks grow in France, which is why they are often referred to as "French". Such a tree is ideal for cognac barrels, as it gives the drink a refined taste and rich aroma.

Products from cedar

The wood has a very pleasant aroma, and also has healing and disinfecting properties. The material is processed quite easily (due to softness). Cedar belongs to expensive wood species, so the cost of a finished barrel will be appropriate. However, with all this, the product will provide excellent storage of products without negatively affecting their taste.

Linden barrels

Such wood is very popular among coopers due to its beauty. differs in a white shade with hints of pink, and its softness contributes to the ease of splitting. Wood is especially good for pickles, candied berries, storage of honey. If you are interested in what kind of wood barrels for pickling are made of, then you can safely stop at linden.

Beech products

The tree lends itself well to processing and in many ways resembles oak in strength. However, in terms of density and wear resistance, it is slightly inferior to the latter. Due to the special texture of the wood, the finished products have a beautiful and original appearance. Such wood for the manufacture of barrels is not used very often, however, in the absence of an alternative, it is quite suitable.


Ash container

One of the most popular options for creating cognac barrels. The material is resistant to bacteria and microorganisms, so it retains the freshness of the products in the container for a long time. The unique qualities make ash an excellent choice for many exclusive spirits. If you are interested in what kind of wood is used to make cognac barrels, give preference to this breed.

Spruce containers

Less common, but very profitable option. Such barrels are well suited for mushrooms, vegetables. Processing and splitting are not particularly difficult, so the manufacture of containers is quite simple.

Pine container

This type of wooden barrel is not particularly suitable for salting and leavening, as the material releases resin. However, some experts use a container for special types of wines. The strength of the material is small, but it can be processed very well.

Varieties of wood for barrels are presented in in large numbers, therefore, coopers are provided with ample opportunities when creating containers. However, it is always necessary to take into account the purpose of using the container, because the quality of storage, aging or transportation of the contents will completely depend on this. If you know for sure what kind of wood barrels are made of, you will be able to create the most suitable for certain operating conditions.