Clayver is made of stoneware. This kind of ceramic is chemically more inert and considerably harder than clayware. The most common contaminants coming from clayware vessels are Iron and aluminium. The chemical composition of Clayver combined with the considerably high firing temperature ensure zero risk.
Clayver vats are resistant, but some precautions must be taken to avoid ruptures, chippings and other damages. Generally any direct contact (especially hits, strokes etc) with metals (namely iron and steel) must be avoided. If it is necessary to lay on their side the containers, make sure to place a soft interface (paperboard, wood etc) between Clayver and the floor.
A particular attention must be paid to the top edges of the Clayver. Sharp edges are delicate and the top flattened surface must not be scratched to maintain a good sealing. If a racking pipe is used, make sure that the steel pipe is protected from the direct contact to the edges of the container by means of a silicon socket. The same is true for any kind of stock or steel tool put inside the Clayver for example to move up lees.
PREPARATION PROCEDURE:
When you receive the Clayver, all you have to do is rinse it well and it is ready to use. No need for processing and preparation
NORMAL CLEANING :
When the Clayver are full, you can clean any stains with sulfur water.
When the vats are empty, you can easily use acidic or basic solutions in “reasonable” concentrations, without fear of damaging the material. The Clayver can be cleaned very well with soda diluted to 5%, very useful with hot water to remove tartrates easily.
The vats can also be de-red and thus go from a black grape variety to white with the use of hydrogen peroxide.
APPROVED CLEANING PRODUCTS:
-NaOH solutions, Peracetic acid, Citric acid solutions, Metabisulfite
-Hydropower, but don’t target directly the top edges of the Clayver
-Steam. Be careful of thermal shock, heat the vat gradually and let it cool naturally without rinsing with cold water. Avoid any direct contact between the steel pipes and internal surfaces of Clayver or the glass lid. Do not tighten much the clamps system and possibly place a cardboard interface under the steel ring.
DEEP CLEANING
Clayver is porous.This must be considered especially when the vat is cleaned and stored empty. That’s the reason why a product with a high penetration capacity is needed. Enzymes can be helpful for this task. We suggest a couple of products but many others are available.
Fill up the clayver with warm water (60°) and add the proper amount of products like REALCO ENZYWINE R10, or LAFFORT DECAPOL EXTRALIFE.
Keep the Clayver filled up for one day then spill out the solution into one other Clayver. Fill up the first Clayver with a solution of water and citric acid and let it inside for one other day. A final rinsing of water + metabisulfite could be also helpful.
Finally, keep in mind that the Clayver is now like a sponge soaked with water. IT MUST BE DRIED UP AND MAINTAINED DRY. It is sufficient to place one bulb lamp hanging from the top hole (not in direct contact to the material) or use a professional hairdryer to heat and dry the Clayver from the inside. Possibly store it in a dry place or put a bulb lamp inside whenever the Clayver is empty.
HOW DO YOU MOVE CLAYVER?
ATTENTION AND CARE
Clayver is made with ceramic and therefore can break if it is subject to quite violent impact against hard corners or if it falls from even modest heights. For this reason the movement of Clayver must be carried out always by rolling it over surfaces that aren't hard or protected ones, for example with cardboard, or by hoisting it and inserting in its mouth a wooden board longer that its diameter and lifting it from the center with a rope. Clayver usually comes with a stainless steel stand. It can be moved with a normal pallet truck. When you lift up the container we recommend laying it to the ground as gently as possible. Only the 250 liter Clayver can be rotated on itself (when empty) and turned upside down and only on the steel support, in order to clean it for example with a barrel washer or for storing when empty.
WHAT FOOD GUARANTEE IS THERE?
A GUARANTEED CERTIFICATION
Ceramics have a regulation for its use in use with food and must comply with precise limits with reference to the emission of cadmium and lead in an acidic environment. Clayver does not contain these substances. Clayver has passed all the release tests in acid solution with pH below 2.5 even as far as all the other elements in its natural composition are concerned. Clayver always issues on request certification according to Regulation 1935/2004/CE, 2005/31/CE Directive and Ministerial Decree 04/04/1985.
***Do not hesitate to reach out to your Artisan Barrels & Tanks representative for any specific questions****
Clayver vats are resistant, but some precautions must be taken to avoid ruptures, chippings and other damages. Generally any direct contact (especially hits, strokes etc) with metals (namely iron and steel) must be avoided. If it is necessary to lay on their side the containers, make sure to place a soft interface (paperboard, wood etc) between Clayver and the floor.
A particular attention must be paid to the top edges of the Clayver. Sharp edges are delicate and the top flattened surface must not be scratched to maintain a good sealing. If a racking pipe is used, make sure that the steel pipe is protected from the direct contact to the edges of the container by means of a silicon socket. The same is true for any kind of stock or steel tool put inside the Clayver for example to move up lees.
PREPARATION PROCEDURE:
When you receive the Clayver, all you have to do is rinse it well and it is ready to use. No need for processing and preparation
NORMAL CLEANING :
When the Clayver are full, you can clean any stains with sulfur water.
When the vats are empty, you can easily use acidic or basic solutions in “reasonable” concentrations, without fear of damaging the material. The Clayver can be cleaned very well with soda diluted to 5%, very useful with hot water to remove tartrates easily.
The vats can also be de-red and thus go from a black grape variety to white with the use of hydrogen peroxide.
APPROVED CLEANING PRODUCTS:
-NaOH solutions, Peracetic acid, Citric acid solutions, Metabisulfite
-Hydropower, but don’t target directly the top edges of the Clayver
-Steam. Be careful of thermal shock, heat the vat gradually and let it cool naturally without rinsing with cold water. Avoid any direct contact between the steel pipes and internal surfaces of Clayver or the glass lid. Do not tighten much the clamps system and possibly place a cardboard interface under the steel ring.
DEEP CLEANING
Clayver is porous.This must be considered especially when the vat is cleaned and stored empty. That’s the reason why a product with a high penetration capacity is needed. Enzymes can be helpful for this task. We suggest a couple of products but many others are available.
Fill up the clayver with warm water (60°) and add the proper amount of products like REALCO ENZYWINE R10, or LAFFORT DECAPOL EXTRALIFE.
Keep the Clayver filled up for one day then spill out the solution into one other Clayver. Fill up the first Clayver with a solution of water and citric acid and let it inside for one other day. A final rinsing of water + metabisulfite could be also helpful.
Finally, keep in mind that the Clayver is now like a sponge soaked with water. IT MUST BE DRIED UP AND MAINTAINED DRY. It is sufficient to place one bulb lamp hanging from the top hole (not in direct contact to the material) or use a professional hairdryer to heat and dry the Clayver from the inside. Possibly store it in a dry place or put a bulb lamp inside whenever the Clayver is empty.
HOW DO YOU MOVE CLAYVER?
ATTENTION AND CARE
Clayver is made with ceramic and therefore can break if it is subject to quite violent impact against hard corners or if it falls from even modest heights. For this reason the movement of Clayver must be carried out always by rolling it over surfaces that aren't hard or protected ones, for example with cardboard, or by hoisting it and inserting in its mouth a wooden board longer that its diameter and lifting it from the center with a rope. Clayver usually comes with a stainless steel stand. It can be moved with a normal pallet truck. When you lift up the container we recommend laying it to the ground as gently as possible. Only the 250 liter Clayver can be rotated on itself (when empty) and turned upside down and only on the steel support, in order to clean it for example with a barrel washer or for storing when empty.
WHAT FOOD GUARANTEE IS THERE?
A GUARANTEED CERTIFICATION
Ceramics have a regulation for its use in use with food and must comply with precise limits with reference to the emission of cadmium and lead in an acidic environment. Clayver does not contain these substances. Clayver has passed all the release tests in acid solution with pH below 2.5 even as far as all the other elements in its natural composition are concerned. Clayver always issues on request certification according to Regulation 1935/2004/CE, 2005/31/CE Directive and Ministerial Decree 04/04/1985.
***Do not hesitate to reach out to your Artisan Barrels & Tanks representative for any specific questions****
