Finding a Barrel

To get started, you must have a wine barrel in relatively good condition. With the town of Woodinville touting 100 wineries within five miles of my home, I expected to have no problem finding a used barrel. The search turned out to be more challenging than expected. I was finally able to get a furniture store selling handmade pieces from barrel staves to reluctantly put me in touch with their supplier.

Woodinville Wine Country Map

You should be able to find a good barrel for around $100, but depending on your location may need to pay for shipping. I ended up driving past all those Woodinville wineries on a 100 mile round trip to pick up a barrel.

Barrels come in a variety of sizes. A 225L to 228L barrel is a good size for a home smoker. The location of the barrel hoops should be considered in selecting a barrel, since they will influence the size and depth of the smoker's lid.

Nadalie USA Wine Barrel Sizes