Sterilize cork bark?

You don't "have to" do anything for virgin cork. I never do anything to them before I use. If you really worry about something in the bark, bake them in oven at 275F for an hour or so.
If the cork slabs have been used before and you want to reuse them for something else, you should brush them clean first then bake them in oven at 275-300F for two hours.

 

For the record, I don't recommend reusing cork. It is just not worth all of the troubles and risks.

 

I don't sterilize unless I'm reusing it, in which case I first boil for 10-20 mins, then bake it dry for a couple of hours. The boiling smells kind of funky, though, and I have enough fresh cork around that I haven't done this in a while.

 

Where do you all get your bark?

 

I always recommend Maryland Cork Co, too. A wonderful old couple run the company....Their price is very reasonable(the cheapest price that I can find in U.S.) but I don't know anything about the shipping and handling charges though. If I go to Phili, I'll stop and hand-pick my cork. I do that once every three years or when I run out of cork.

 

I know they do ship nationwide.

 

As far I remember, they always ship. The shipping wasn't too bad 10 years ago. I would imagine the shipping would be significantly more now. Few years ago, a fellow grower who lived in west coast then complained about how steep the shipping charge was, but back then, he wasn't buying large quantity, so the shipping might be relatively high. I probably will have hard time to accept $10 shipping charge for $10 cork too, but I understand the seller has to set a min. shipping charge to cover the cost and time.

 

I haven't had time to get to Maryland cork lately, so had them ship me a box of flats. They only sell in fill boxes that weigh between 30-35# (a LOT of cork), and even though they're only 75 miles from here, they charged $4 for the box and $23.50 in shipping.

 

Ray, that is very cheap for that big of box and that heavy, isn't it? I thought it would be more even if it is only 75 miles away( and as you know, the box doesn't go from their warehouse directly to your house....). $23.50 is just enough for gas money if you drive a pick-up truck or UV 150 miles to pick them up by yourself........... Many of the retailers will charge more than double for the cork and much bigger % of shipping and handling. and O/C it will cost more than $24 to ship to west coast.

Maryland Cork Co. used to ship smaller amount and they might/should still do, so people should call and ask....and don't just order a couple of pieces and cry over the shipping, trust me, 10-20# of cork don't last very long.

FYI, they also sell cork tubes.

A group order with your OS members is a good idea if you don't need that much.