Non-plastic water storage options

[aa2300]

Has anyone found a water storage solution not made out of plastic? Cursory searches thus-far lead me to believe thus far that not a lot of people have asked about this. While BPA free plastic is in abundance -- space on the interior is a premium. We want to keep the water outside the cabin, but really aren't comfortable with plastic with beating sun on top of it. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[AlbanyTom]

I respect your concern. To potentially add to the complexity of your search, though, personally I would trust food grade HDPE containers before any stainless steel unless I was positive the alloy was food grade. I've seen lead in 300 series stainless, even though there isn't supposed to be any there, and I'd be more concerned about cadmium. And it might be an old wives tale, but I wouldn't store water in aluminum, either. Also, with containers made from both there is often a plastic lining. For sure there is with canned beverages...and given the possible contents of the metal, I actually believe that's a good thing.

So that leaves you with glass and ceramic, I think.

Here's what I did to solve this problem as a kid: Take large igloo cooler, half fill with ice. Fill remainder with beer in glass bottles. Strap on to truck. Enjoy nice safe refreshments on your trip...no plastic involved.

 

[doug720]

Interesting side note about SS and it's use. My father's company manufactures SS pharmaceutical and medical equipment. They have found that a large percentage of SS is now made overseas, and it contains a large amount of "Recycled" SS.

About 6 years ago, a piece of their equipment was being sent overseas and had been loaded in a shipping container here is SoCal. It was delivered to the port, where it triggered a radiation detector! Long story short...It turns out that some of the SS that was recycled into the material they built the centrifuge from was radioactive. It was very low levels, but it was enough to scrapp the machine and triggered an investigation by many parties.

It turns out that radioactive medical equipment had been recycled into new SS. Take a look here - https://www.google.com/search?q=irr...#q=radioactive+recycled+stainless+steel+found

The company now checks all incoming materials with a gieger counter. Chances are slim, but...

 

[SlowCarFast]

I use the swiss surplus water bags like these (I don't have any experience with that particular seller). They are very tough but do impart a taste to the water although I don't really mind. Works well for me.

 

[jimi breeze]

Whow. I never would have imagined that SS could be harmful (as in the recycled or inferior grade described above). If glass is good enough for my beer it should serve well for H2O.

 

[aa2300]

Great info guys. Will definitely share with the wife! Guess some Scepter Jerry cans are in my future.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Great info guys. Will definitely share with the wife! Guess some Scepter Jerry cans are in my future.

That is what I would recommend, although I have used the blue Reliance water containers for years and they can be cheaper. One option to look at
would be to put the lighter duty water containers inside a roof mounted bin, then not directly travelling in the sun.

 

[DaveNay]

Obviously, you are going to have to go with a whiskey barrel.

I would suggest an un-charred barrel. Keep it wet all the time though, you don't want it to dry out.

 

[Antichrist]

I have four of the one on the right that I use.
Found them at a local Army surplus.

 

[pluton]

I got one of those Swiss bladder things from Deutsche Optik. If you think a full 20L Jerry can is somewhat awkward to handle, wait until you try to heave around a formless, drooping 45 pound blob. I prefer the Scepter HDPE water cans...they're tougher that the Reliance things if they get dropped or thrown around, and the faint polyethylene taste/smell brings back pleasant memories of civilization.

 

[robgendreau]

Maybe a bit too fancy, but I use homebrew kegs for water storage, since I always have a couple awaiting beer. They are recycled beverage containers called cornelius kegs, and were once used for soda, but now are used extensively in homebrewing. They are stainless, and can be pressurized for dispensing or just fizzy water. Depending on whether you refurbish the gaskets and such yourself, they can be had as low as $50/, but usually more with updated gaskets and so on. Some have dents and such, but the stainless is great. And VERY sturdy.

 

[Gear]

If you are looking for space savings and not the fact that it is made with plastic. I'd highly recommend a couple of MSR Dromedary bags. Largest is 2 1/2 gallons. It has the ability to be hung from the side of a vehicle or you can lay it out in the sun and have a solar shower. The list goes on and on. I've owned mine for close to 20 years now and they are still working fine. Originally purchased to transport water inside of a sea kayak for extended Baja trips.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/water/storage/dromedary-bags/product

Photo below shows a black MSR Dromedary bag hanging from the roof rack just above the driver side tail light. I use this bag/location for washing my hands/face. Currently I am sleeping inside the Jeep so I store a 2.5 gallon in the large gap when the back seat is folded flat. Acts like a water bed. Nemo mattress goes right over it. Again love these bags.

 

[richardsmith87]

Has anyone found a water storage solution not made out of plastic? Cursory searches thus-far lead me to believe thus far that not a lot of people have asked about this. While BPA free plastic is in abundance -- space on the interior is a premium. We want to keep the water outside the cabin, but really aren't comfortable with plastic with beating sun on top of it. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

That's an awesome idea! It seems like beer kegs are much more cheaper to buy used than a new stainless steel tank. And hopefully, all that beer will have washed away any unwelcome residues that could be present in the metal or plastic lining. How do you pressurize your tanks?

 

[summerprophet]

The BPA scare was rather blown out of proportion. Firstly, the rat models consumed significantly more toxin than possibly for humans to do, secondly, BPA is naturally entirely leached out of plastic over a few years.

Your options are as follows:
Plastic: dozens of types of plastic, cheap as hell, and about as varied as you could ever want
SS: got the choice of mega expensive surgical grade, possible heavy metal exposure (very unlikely, but higher probability than BPA poisoning, or plastic lined SS
Wood: naturally antibacterial, but limited shapes, fragile, heavy, and just about as awkward as you can imagine.
Leather or canvas: wet sided design slowly leaks , not the best for outside a vehicle, and dry designs are..... You guessed it, lined with plastic.
Glass: about as fragile as you can get, but the least amount of flavor change to the water. Doesn't retain odors.

 

[RedF]

Maybe a bit too fancy, but I use homebrew kegs for water storage, since I always have a couple awaiting beer. They are recycled beverage containers called cornelius kegs, and were once used for soda, but now are used extensively in homebrewing. They are stainless, and can be pressurized for dispensing or just fizzy water. Depending on whether you refurbish the gaskets and such yourself, they can be had as low as $50/, but usually more with updated gaskets and so on. Some have dents and such, but the stainless is great. And VERY sturdy.

I was going to suggest the corny kegs too. I think I might try and adapt a spigot to one of my spare kegs... Using a beer tap would be even better!