Except in an emergency we would advise against using any chemical in a barrel. Hot water and a good pressure washer or other spray method should be adequate for tartrate build up.

For barrel cleaning we advise against using chemicals because it can strip out the oak extract from the barrel and or damage the barrel. With proper maintenance and storage techniques water should only be used to clean barrels. Filling the barrel with hot water and letting it sit overnight can help dissolve the tartrate deposits. For more information on barrel maintenance please review our "Oak Barrel Care Guide" found in the MoreManuals section.