Water drums & heat...

[hightecrebel]

This may not be the correct place for this question, or it might already have been answered even though I can't find it, but here goes.

I've been looking at getting 1-2 55 gallon water drums, the blue pastic ones, to put in my garage. The problem being, I know plastic doesn't go so well in heat, and it gets up to ~95 in there during the day, worse outside. I can't find anything saying how well the drums hold up to consistent temperature like that. It seems like they should be fine, but I know what happens when you assume. I'd rather not have 110 gallons of water in my garage, seeing as I still have quite a bit stored in there that I'd prefer not get soaked. Even though it is all up on pallets, I'd rather not risk it.

Does anyone have a link or anything else to the 'recommended' temperature ranges for storing these? Or even just some personal experience would be nice. I've found a place in the local area with food-grade barrels for $15, so I'd love to get started. I'd feel a lot better about my preps with that much water put away.

[nacho]

I just store mine outside under an oak tree, they are in the shade most of the day, but it did get up to about 105 last week. I just wash mine out every 6mo to a year, I add about an ounce of bleach to the water, I have had no issues over the past 3 or so years.

I've been to many 3rd world countries where they use 55 gallon drums for all their water needs, but they just catch rain water and never clean them out.

[hightecrebel]

I just store mine outside under an oak tree, they are in the shade most of the day, but it did get up to about 105 last week. I just wash mine out every 6mo to a year, I add about an ounce of bleach to the water, I have had no issues over the past 3 or so years.

I've been to many 3rd world countries where they use 55 gallon drums for all their water needs, but they just catch rain water and never clean them out.

Personal testimony works for me. Thank you. Now I've just got to get them and clean them out.

[raptor]

In industrial kitchens the barrels are routinely flushed with boiling water to remove the contents. Being in 90+f heat will not affect them. Sunlight will, but not normal summer heat.