Where do you store your powder?

[mooman76]

Right now mine is in a cardboard box, in original containers.. At least until I make a better place to put it.

 

[FishDFly]

This question is asked a bunch of times each year.

Does anyone read the instructions on the back of the can?

Wonder why not when they buy an Explosive?

 

[Capnball]

Is there a "best practice" for storing bp? I just keep it in my gun safe.

I store my powder in a plastic ammo can on a shelf in my garage. Cool, dry!

 

[Flinty Scot]

I have mine in an insulated -unlocked- "fireproof" document safe, stored well away from my home.
As a former volunteer firefighter, if I had it inside, I'd have to post a discrete " in case of fire" warning - which could still attract unwanted attention.

 

[dave951]

I happen to know someone who had a significant amount of 3f in his basement, like 6 kegs. House caught fire and the local dept was dealing with it. He ran in and started carrying the kegs out. The local FD told him that nothing in the house was worth his life. They changed their tune when he pointed out he was saving theirs by getting the powder out of the basement.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I keep mine in the chicken house. There is no electric or heat source in the building. Just a few scared chickens!

 

[Kansas Jake]

I keep mine in the chicken house. There is no electric or heat source in the building. Just a few scared chickens!

True, but they're chicken anyway.

 

[Tumbledown]

Is there a "best practice" for storing bp? I just keep it in my gun safe.

Learn your state and local laws. In NY State, it's 5 lbs maximum, in original containers or in horns, with those in a wood box with 1/2 thick walls, painted red and marked Low Ex. That box is to be kept on the ground floor or in the basement, within 10 feet of an exterior entry.

Massachusetts limits individuals to 2 pounds.

Realize that if something *does* go wrong, and your powder is illegally stored, either by method of storage or quantity, you will be liable for any damage or injuries in an accident,

 

[DUNKS]

Under my wife's bed! They tell me it's dangerous stuff!

 

[DUNKS]

Here in the UK we have very strict regulations on how to store. Very similar to NY state. Wooden boxes, each 500 gram container to have it's own compartment with a tight fitting lid. The wooden box to be locked and secured with wire or chain. 10 kilo max and you have to have a police permit to keep it and to transport it. Some county's do differ slightly.

 

[Carl in France]

i always thought the half kilo was odd when i was buying my swiss in 1kilo containers! Being that is what it was shipped in and what i took it home in i never decanted in to a half kilo container!
Still used the segmented box and followed the other stuff though.
In France we are down to holding only two kilos, it is easy enough to get though so that is not a problem.

 

[DUNKS]

Getting more and more difficult to get here in the UK. I think it's the tight regs on storing bulk that puts retailers off. Where I buy mine is probably the largest retailers of vintage guns in the country. Pistols rifles and shotguns and he is not allowed to store black overnight in the shop. Has to be kept secure elsewhere which means I have to order two days in advance. and 180 mile drive in traffic. Where I live I am surrounded by excellent modern gunshops. None of who will stock black powder, Nitro yes but not black.

 

[Carl in France]

Now that is a pain, i realise now how lucky i was that i actually passed a supplier on my travels !

 

[Bledfor Days]

I have mine in a fire rated filing cabinet with a sprinkler system. I think i might move it to a wooden crate to minimize the 'bomb factor.

 

[Flinty Scot]

I happen to know someone who had a significant amount of 3f in his basement, like 6 kegs. House caught fire and the local dept was dealing with it. He ran in and started carrying the kegs out. The local FD told him that nothing in the house was worth his life. They changed their tune when he pointed out he was saving theirs by getting the powder out of the basement.

The inevitable later conversations with police and his insurance agent were probably a bit stressful too.

 

[Rudall]

Here in the UK we have very strict regulations on how to store. Very similar to NY state. Wooden boxes, each 500 gram container to have it's own compartment with a tight fitting lid. The wooden box to be locked and secured with wire or chain.

Actually the box must NOT be secured. The point is you must be able to remove it from your property quickly in the event of a fire. The only reason for the lock is to prevent inquisitive hands (children/guests) from getting inside.

Here’s mine:

 

[DUNKS]

Obvious different FEO mine said fixed to bench so thief could not easily grab and run.

 

[DUNKS]

Cant tell from your photo but does your box have the intumescent strip that my FEO insisted on?

 

[Many Klatch]

Here's a long story about black powder and fires. Years and years ago, a friend had a hundred pounds of blackpowder stored in an old steel safe in his freestanding workshop out behind his house. He lived way out in the country with no one else living nearby. The workshop caught fire. When the fire department arrived he told the chief about the blackpowder and that they should just back up and let it burn. The Chief directed that the crew tear down the wall where the safe was and they wrapped a chain around the safe and hauled it off into the middle of a cornfield. Then they put the fire out in the workshop. The next day the friend goes out to the still hot safe and opens it. The solder holding the cans together had melted. He opened one and poured the powder into his hand, the powder was so hot that it burned his hand. The moral of the story is that black powder won't explode unless there is a spark. I keep my powder in a locked steel case. I don't understand the thought about storing powder in a wooden box.

 

[FishDFly]

" I don't understand the thought about storing powder in a wooden box."

Me too, it's mentioned here a lot.

Any answers?