Storing BP in Freezer?

[sniper68]

Powder kept "DRY" is unaffected by normal temp extremes. I wouldn't recommend the freezer, simply because of the possibility of condensation.
If you want the ultimate way, vacuum bag it. If it's loose powder, bag it on the auto cycle. If it's is in a container, use the manuel cycle, as to not pull too much of a vacuum and crush the can. You can then safely store it anywhere you see fit.
Also works perfect for safe long term gun storage. :thumbsup:

 

[Billnpatti]

Im my humble opinion storing black powder in the freezer is a very bad idea. When you remove it, it will be subject to condensate forming on it just like a sweating glass in the summer time. If I were you, I'd buy enough military ammo cans to hold your black powder stash, Then buy one of the moisture absorbant gizmos for each can. That will keep the powder nice and dry and it will last forever. If fire is a concern, you could store the ammo cans in the freezer but be sure to let them come completely to room temperature before opening them.

 

[roundball]

I keep mine on a high shelf in a central closet (not on an outside wall) and have kept powder there for years and years.

Agree...I figure if its safe & proper enough for a Goex distributor to ship a case of cans cross country to me, year round, all weather conditions, in a simple cardboard box...its good enough for me to just set that box of cans on the floor of a closet in my house...I tweak the caps with a pair of pliars to be sure none have vibrated loose then forget about it and enjoy

 

[jtmattison]

Mine is kept in a wooden ammo box in my bedroom closet. Locked of course just to keep the kids out.

HD

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Yup you're absolutely right. I imagine our forefathers took pains to keep powder dry and away from fireplaces and otherwise weren't too concerned about special containers to stick it in.

 

[BenCoogle]

Gotta jump in again! Black Powder is a mechanical mixture, it will "keep" for hundreds of years if just kept dry. It will not break down. Ben

 

[hockeyref]

So what if you have an old refrigerator in a DAMP basement... house is pretty old with a stone foundation and a brick basement floor. It's always damp down there, but short of building a magazine outside I really don't have a convenient place to store larger volumes of powder... I'm figuring to buy upwards of 20+# once I really get up to speed. It seems that storing it in a not running fridge with dessicant in with it would be decent... relatively air tight and if I can get my hands on some lab grade dessicant can be placed into an oven to reuse it.... stuff changes from while to purple as it absorbs moisture.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I think I'd stick it in a closet before I'd store it in a damp place. The cans won't take kindly to dampness. They rust surprisingly fast. I have a damp basement too. I put a couple of empty cans down there a few years ago and was surprised at how quickly a thin layer of rust formed. Never forget the old adage about keeping your powder dry. They knew whereof they spoke.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The standard recommendation for storing powder is to find a COOL DRY Place. A damp basement doesn't qualify, IMHO. Coleman, and others, still make ice chests for picnickers, that are pretty substantial, insulated boxes. If you can find one of those at a garage sale, it would be the perfect solution. It can fit in your closet, someplace, it will take a padlock for security, and it will keep the powder dry and cool.

If you are really going to store something in the damp basement, then By All Means, use desiccants in the plastic bags that surround the cans or bottles of powder. Then, double bag the bags, and seal them with their own desiccants. If the packs turn blue, just put them on a cookie sheet and bake them at very low temperatures in your oven, to restore them. ( 200 degrees is more than enough heat) Its imperative that you create both a Cool, and a DRY environment for the powder. :thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

That's really it...just store it in the same environment that you store salt, sugar, flour, etc...no need to make it a bigger deal than it needs to be

 

[Hamourkiller]

Thanks guys for the many well thought out ideas! I was mainly concerned about fire and my various smokeless and black powders. Firemen have told me of finding cool drinks in a house's refrig after a fire there.
A decomissioned refrig or freezer with a dehumidifier rod should provide fire resistant storage and not have the electrical cost of a running machine. Something to think about any way.
Again thanks for the input!