Horn Care Tips
Here you will find information on the care and maintenance of our horns.
First and foremost, I'd like to state that the topic of sealing and curing drinking horns is widely debated. My opinion on the matter is just that, my own personal opinion, I am just offering my knowledge of the subject and how I do things. Many other horn makers do things differently and that's ok. There is not one "correct" way to do things, just what works best for the situation.
Most common methods of sealing drinking horns:
1. Bee's Wax
This method is probably the most common you will find in the market today. The wax is easy to come by, easy to apply and leaves a nice finish and pleasant smell to the horn. However, heat is the enemy of wax, no hot beverages can be used in the horn, and you must be careful to not leave the horn in a vehicle or other hot place during the summer months.
2. Alcohol Cured
This method is fairly common among reenactment groups and persons that make their own horns. Once the horn is thoroughly clean the horns are cured by soaking them in either dark beer or spirits for a few days to sanitize and seal the horn. I don't personally use this method on my horn products, while it does work great, it can wear off fairly quickly if you do not use the horn frequently. And you can go through a fair amount a alcohol during the curing process if you have to do it frequently. These horns also take on the flavor of what they are cured with so you may get off-flavors when switching beverage types in these horns.
3. Brewer's Pitch
Brewer's Pitch is a blend of resins and used to coat and seal the inside of beer casks. But it is also commonly used to waterproof and seal wooden tankards, leather canteens and drinking horns. It works exactly the same as a bee's wax coating, but the brewer's pitch will be more resilient, last longer, and be more resistant to heat, although you still shouldn't use hot beverages in horns coated in this manner. The downside is this method can be a bit of a mess to apply and clean up after.
4. Varnish/Urethane
These types of finish are still resin based and are also fairly common to see in the market. They are essentially the same thing, the biggest difference being varnish is a natural coating versus polyurethane is a synthetic version. They are similar to epoxy in the fact that they leave a clear coating. They just won't last as long and will need re-coated eventually. I'll also throw Salad Bowl Finishes in with these, as they are very similar, they are just rated for better food contact. Although, most research indicates that all of these finish are food-safe once fully cured. The biggest downside to these finishes is they typically are not suitable to straight alcohol, as this can dissolve and breakdown the finish, contaminating your drinking and ruining the finish.
5. Food-Grade Epoxy Resin
This last method is by far the strongest, longest lasting and most neutral tasting finish available. Coating the inside with resin will leave a crystal clear finish that will outlast the horn in most cases. These types of epoxy resin are often also rated safe for Hot or Cold beverages and any type of alcohol. Meaning they can be used as shot glasses, whiskey cups or coffee mugs.
Now that we've got that all covered, here's how that information applies to our horns.
Standard Drinking Horn:
Method: Varnish/Urethane
Suitable Drinks: Any cold beverage should be just fine.
Drinkings to Avoid: Anything hot or straight alcohol. Both of these can start to dissolve the coating on the inside and contaminate your drink. Hot beverages in these horns with also make the hot itself extremely hot and dangerous to hold.
Cleaning Instructions: Hand wash only with mild soap, warm water and soft sponge or cloth. Rinse and wipe dry. Leave horn sitting upside down to drain the inside. It is best to do this immediately after use to avoid beverage residue to dry inside the horn.
Premium Drinking Horn:
Method: Bee's Wax
Suitable Drinks: Any cold beverage should be just fine.
Drinkings to Avoid: Hot drinks, this will melt the wax, contaminate your drink and you will need to re-apply the wax. I also recommend caution against straight alcohol. It can also start to melt the wax if high enough proof, although it is unlikely, it is still possible.
Cleaning Instructions: Rinse the horn with warm water immediately after use to avoid beverage residue to dry inside the horn. Mild soap may be used if the horn is very dirty. Wipe the outside of the horn dry and leave upside down to drain.
Horn Cups:
Method: Food-Grade Epoxy Resin
Suitable Drinks: Any cold beverages including straight alcohol.
Drinkings to Avoid: The epoxy I use is rated safe for hot beverages up to 187°F, however, horn is not very insulating and these horns will get extremely hot and dangerous to hold depending how thick the horn use. Use hot drinks at your own risk.
Cleaning Instructions: Hand wash only with mild soap, warm water and soft sponge or cloth. Rinse and wipe dry. Leave horn sitting upside down to drain the inside.It is best to do this immediately after use to avoid beverage residue to dry inside the horn.