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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few of our most frequently asked questions. We hope these provide you with a guide for making your selection of our products. If there is anything you need to know regarding your future purchase just contact us and we will reply to your query super fast!
Freight Prices
We use Australia Post to send all our items Australia and Worldwide. Larger items (Such as full size wine barrels, wine racks etc are sent through a courier).
We charge no packaging or handling costs and postage is calculated on the size and weight of the items matched to your exact postcode. When you order we will provide a full quote on postage
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What size Port Keg do I need
The size Port Keg you required will directly relate to how much Port your drink! The smaller the wine barrel the higher the oak concentration in your aging port. Larger Kegs allow for a smooth maturation. Small kegs are perfect if you drink your port regularly. We are always on hand to provide recommendations on which size keg is most suitable.
Another factor to consider is that all Port Kegs must be kept a minimum of half full at all times. Therefore you need to work out the cost per Litre of keeping your Port Keg at this level constantly.
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Caring for your Port Keg
Full care and filling instructions are provided when you purchase a port keg from us. Please follow these instruction carefully.
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Can I use the Port keg for wine and/or spirits
Standard Port Kegs should not be used for wine or spirits.
If you require your Port Keg to be used for spirits you will need to order a wax lined keg which adds an additional $20.00 to the price of your keg.
As far as storing wine in your Port Keg- wine has already been produced (i.e. brought in a bottle etc) will oxidise within 2-3days of opening and is therefore unsuitable to store in a port keg.
If you are making your own wine you will need to purchase a larger reshaved wine barrel so there is not such a high concentration of oak contact with your aging wine. We will stock reshaved wine barrels for home winemakers later in 2008.
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What size are your brass replacement taps
We stock a standard small, medium and large brass tap. These taps are suitable for replacement on Port kegs that have already had brass taps.
So we can best match your new brass tap to suit your existing keg please provide either a measurement of your current taps thread or the hole in your keg where the tap is fitted.
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My Port Keg is leaking
Your port keg could be leaking for many reasons. You need to follow the set up instructions carefully.
For those of you with old kegs they generally leak when the keg has been let dry out.
It is best to contact the manufacturer of your existing keg to discuss this as many different methods and types of oak are used in the making of Port Kegs.
The best treatment is to re swell the oak - fill your keg through the hole in the top with hot tap water - leave for 24 hrs and empty the water out of the top hole. You will need to repeat this until you Port Keg stops leaking.
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Why do I need a drip cup or dipstick
Drip Cup - we designed our drip cup to place under your Port Kegs tap. No matter how good the tap or keg on occasion you may have a drop of port escape. The drip cup is to avoid any potential damage to surface that your tap may reside over. Alternatively you may have an old keg that has a leaky tap and the drip cup will be most useful. Alternatively look at replacing your old tap with one of our new brass ones.
Dipstick - this was designed to assist you in keeping the correct level of port in your Port keg. Port kegs are to be kept a minimum of half full at all times and sometimes this can take a bit of guess work. We have taken out this guess work by providing a dipstick to match your port keg to enable you to check port levels with ease.
Don't forget we sell our Drip cup and Dipstick combination set with a discount of 10%. See our Accessories section.
What Colours and materials are used for the Port Kegs
Our Port Kegs are made from old American Oak Barossa Valley wine barrels.
Brass hoops and galvanized hoops are used.
The colours for the kegs are external stain ONLY not the wood type.
Colours are: Natural (not stained), Teak, Jarrah and Walnut)
How long will it take to make my keg
Our kegs are custom ordered so order will generally take between 2-3 weeks. You will need to allow additional time if woodburing is required. Different times of the year see increased demand and as we do our own website we will post turnaround time on the orders page.
What designs can I have for woodburning
Let your imagination run free!! We have provided some standard examples on our Woodburing pages as a guide. You can feel free to design what you would like. Prices for woodburning are based on the time and details required. Complicated design will increase the cost. Just Email us with your design and we will provide a quote.
We can accept designs and art work in most file types (Word, Publisher, PDF).
We offer discount on large or bulk orders only. A minimum quantity of 10 or more is required to apply for discount.
We offer a discount on woodburning only for to members of defence forces (Navy, RAAF, Army) - a service email address is required for this discount.
As we are a small business we do not provide wholesale prices. We sell via our website and personal sales only.
Tamara Clarence.
Copyright © 2008 [Barrels By Design]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 01/03/09.Barrels By Design