Today's Sunday and somewhat quite here so i went out looking for water barrels or 55 gallon barrels,anytype of barrels.

I kept seeing water heaters,water heaters,junk water heaters, why am I seeing these???? Well it finally dawned on me. Use old water heaters for water or Kerosene or diesel fuel.

Just open up the main drain and flush out the cast iron glass lined tank... Open up the heating elements ( lower ) and vacuum out the calcium at the bottom.

You now have a fuel tank for free, Why did it take me so long to figure this one out?????

Anyone's thoughts on this Idea????

Furie... 6:10pm

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), March 28, 1999

Answers

Sorry, but vacuuming out the calcium won't cut it. First, its not sitting there on the bottem in dust form. Second, there is usually a goodly amount of iron in most tap water, as well as all sorts of other gunk. Third, most water heaters are thrown out because there is something wrong with them. But who knows, you might get lucky.

You can get a brand new or totally reconditioned 55 gallon barrel for only $20. Why risk your potentially life saving fuel supply?

-- Cold water on your parade (kenseger@earthlink.net), March 28, 1999.

Furie: At least you are thinking about storage of water or fuel. However, the largest tank you might be able to get is 75 gallons. If one has room for at least 10 tanks, that's only 750 gallons of water or fuel. For one person, that's a 2-year supply of water if one were to consume 1 gallon of water per day, and a 1-year supply for 2 people. The problem would be in refilling them. Also, people get rid of water heaters because they leak or are rusted out at the bottom. You may be better off purchasing a water bed bag and storing water in there for future use. Think water and lots of it!

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), March 28, 1999.

bardou, Hello young lady! My idea was for the use of water heater tanks for the storage of kerosene, If you have the room for 55 gal barrels why not 50 gal galvanized tank or even an 80 gallon tank. And keep them looking like water heaters...

And as far as the sediment in the tanks, if they are washed out correctly, these glass lined tanks will hold most anything even fuel.

Hey it was an idea for anyone not being able to find actual 55 gallon barrels.

Just trying to help!!!

Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), March 28, 1999.

Furie: You are on to something there and it's a brillant idea as long as they are leak-free. I would opt for kero over gasoline, hmmmmmmmm, now you got me thinking. No one would ever think that there is anything stored in those hot water heaters, maybe place a sign somewhere that say's "Furies Appliance Service." What do you think of the idea of cutting the top off and storing your rifles inside? Or food storage? Who would ever think to look inside an old water heater? Insulated well, protected from lifght, endless ideas.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), March 28, 1999.

bardou; Sure glad someone is happy with the idea ! Ah, you can't cut the top off, because water heaters has sprayed foam around them and the casing is cast iron/with a glass lining. My Dad used to make them at A.O.Smith in Milwaukee many moons ago.

But you can clean them and still use the same drain and cap the tops with 3/4 galvanized caps. Just be sure the tanks are clean and keep the heating elements in, so any fluid doesn't leak out. It shouldn't take any time to fill,if you leave one of the two pipes open to allow the air to escape as you fill with Kerosene or Diesel.

I am glad someone likes the idea, Thanks,you made me happy tonight!

Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), March 29, 1999.