4 Steps to Cleaning Stainless Steel Wine Barrels

Introduction

As a commercial winemaker, we know you want your vintages to be smooth and flavorful when they go into that bottle. The equipment handling your wine plays a big part in achieving the end product. But you have to start with a clean canvas so your work of art can shine. The good news is, with Mueller stainless steel barrels, it doesn’t take a lot of labor to achieve stellar results. See our tips below.

1. Inspect

When you first receive your stainless steel barrel, inspect it for cracks and scratches. You want the inside to be smooth. If it is not, call your manufacturer and trade out. Remains of wine can be embedded in those grooves and could have an effect on the taste of the next wine you put in there. For this reason, you must also not use harsh abrasives or steel wool to clean your barrel.

2. Clean

Before using the stainless steel barrel for the first time, you should rinse your equipment. To remove any residual oils or dust from the manufacturing process, use a non-hazardous, buffered alkaline cleaner. Be sure to rinse well with warm water followed by tepid or cold water.  

3. Expose

After using your barrel, there are really just two steps to cleaning it. Repeat your cleaning procedure from above. As you are doing that, make sure the surface is exposed to sanitization. In other words, rinse or scrub off any dirt or dried grape skin during this cleaning process. This way, the inside of your barrel can be sanitized properly. If the sanitizer can’t come in contact with the steel because grape leftovers block it, it won’t work.

4. Sanitize

Now, the barrel is ready to sanitize! Pour in your sanitizer and swirl it to cover the entire barrel area. Wait for the recommended time. Then rinse. When sanitizing, be sure not to exceed the sanitizer manufacturers’ recommended concentration for stainless steel equipment.

You should also sanitize immediately before the product enters the barrel. Do not close the barrel for empty storage with wet sanitizing solution on the stainless steel surface. Make sure it is dry first.

Reference the chart below for guidance on which brands to use for stainless steel and other materials:

With proper care, your stainless steel wine barrels and tanks will last a lifetime, and your wines will be poised for perfection!