5 replies to this topic

[Given2fly]

I recently picked up some Oak Spirals that I added to a stout. I was curious if anyone has reused these? I assume that their oak contribution will fade with each use but would prefer to use them again.

[EWW]

I don't see why you couldn't reuse them, but the wood will harbor any wee beasties you have in a batch.

[cavman]

I was thinking of using oak spirals as a way to harbor bugs for reuse. I was thinking of making a sealed on one end and capped top PVC container, keeping some wine or bourbon or other in with the spiral then remove for use as needed.

[Given2fly]

I was thinking of using oak spirals as a way to harbor bugs for reuse. I was thinking of making a sealed on one end and capped top PVC container, keeping some wine or bourbon or other in with the spiral then remove for use as needed.

Good tip, I like the idea of making a container to let it soak in between uses.

[strangebrewer]

Sanitation is going to be the biggest issue here. First off the spirals are shot after 6 weeks of soaking. They will have given up all they are going to give in that amount of time so reusing them beyond that is not going to give you any oak character. If it were me I would either use 1 spiral or even break one in half and add it rather than plan on pulling it and trying to clean it for a later beer. The alternative would be have a couple beers lined up that you want to oak and move it from one to the next.The PVC storage idea would work but again if it's soaking in something it's going to be giving up it's oak character. Also if you are trying to harbor bugs and critters then definitely don't use bourbon and even wine might be to much for them. Wine generally has an ABV above 10% and a pH of 3.5. While I don't have any 1st hand experience as to how this would effect bugs like Pedio and Lacto both of those numbers are outside of where Pedio and Lacto like to be. I couldn't say if it would kill them or just make them go dormant. All that said I'm not sure what the best thing to soak a spiral in is if you wanted to keep the bugs alive. I know a couple years ago Vinnie from Russian river brought dried oak chips from one of his barrels to an NHC and handed them out in plastic baggies. I never got my hands on those chips but from what I read people successfully threw them in beers and made sours from them so I guess the bugs and critters all withstood being dried out and rehydrated.

[Given2fly]

Sanitation is going to be the biggest issue here. First off the spirals are shot after 6 weeks of soaking. They will have given up all they are going to give in that amount of time so reusing them beyond that is not going to give you any oak character. If it were me I would either use 1 spiral or even break one in half and add it rather than plan on pulling it and trying to clean it for a later beer. The alternative would be have a couple beers lined up that you want to oak and move it from one to the next.The PVC storage idea would work but again if it's soaking in something it's going to be giving up it's oak character. Also if you are trying to harbor bugs and critters then definitely don't use bourbon and even wine might be to much for them. Wine generally has an ABV above 10% and a pH of 3.5. While I don't have any 1st hand experience as to how this would effect bugs like Pedio and Lacto both of those numbers are outside of where Pedio and Lacto like to be. I couldn't say if it would kill them or just make them go dormant. All that said I'm not sure what the best thing to soak a spiral in is if you wanted to keep the bugs alive. I know a couple years ago Vinnie from Russian river brought dried oak chips from one of his barrels to an NHC and handed them out in plastic baggies. I never got my hands on those chips but from what I read people successfully threw them in beers and made sours from them so I guess the bugs and critters all withstood being dried out and rehydrated.

Thanks for the advice, very helpful!