At Tonelería Murúa, we create our own barrel heads, ensuring the best wood selection and the highest quality finish on the market. The top and bottom heads of our barrels are made by joining multiple pieces of wood, with oak being the primary material, just like in the rest of the barrel.
All barrels are inspected inside and out to ensure maximum quality throughout the entire process. The final check involves testing the barrel’s watertightness using water and pressure.
But what happens if you need to change a barrel head for any reason? This is a question we’ve been asked multiple times, and we want to show you step by step how to do it, so you can complete the process with ease.
Materials Needed:
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Carpenter’s blade
- Sandpaper
The first step is to remove the hoops. Using the hammer and chisel, carefully remove them one by one, ensuring that you do not damage the barrel. Start by removing the first, second, and third hoops.
Once the hoops have been removed, it’s time to take out the barrel head. Then, using the hammer and chisel again, reinstall the third hoop, which will begin to tighten the barrel as you also secure the second hoop.
Next, you must place the first hoop and continue tightening the third and fourth hoops until they are securely fastened.
Once again, using the hammer and chisel, you will need to remove the first, second, and third hoops, loosening the fourth hoop. After doing this, you must position the new barrel head inside the groove and gently tap it with the hammer until it fits perfectly.
Finally, you will reinstall the third hoop, ensuring it is properly tightened, always using the hammer and chisel. To complete the process, place the second and first hoops back in position, tightening all hoops securely until they are firmly attached to the barrel.
We’ve explained the process step by step, but since everything is easier to understand when seen firsthand, here’s a video tutorial featuring our master cooper, so you don’t miss a single detail.
