Toasting

Toasting


The oak wood must be heated to bend the staves into shape.The fire must be lit within the barrel. The amount of toast and the depth of toasting experienced within the stave depends on the heat of the flame, how long it was applied and the moisture content of the stave. While the wood is heated, a wire is placed around the base of the cask – so it can be tightened to bring the staves closer together. Finally they are joined – without any nails or similar techniques.