Powder storage

[TMB 1]

I would recommend against storing flammable materials in a refrigerator not rated for such use - it's more dangerous than just storing your powder at room temp. I say this as a chemist.

If you're going to do it anyway, make sure you allow the powder containers to equilibrate to room temperature before opening the container. Otherwise you'll get condensation inside your powder jug.

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Old refrigerator that doesn't work to keep stuff cold anymore is what to use, just don't plug it in. Been using it for 30+ years no condensation in any powder so far.

One of the cool thing about old refrigerator is the shelves and places to put stuff.

[doyouevenchop]

Old refrigerator that doesn't work to keep stuff cold anymore is what to use, just don't plug it in. Been using it for 30+ years no condensation in any powder so far.

One of the cool thing about old refrigerator is the shelves and places to put stuff.

If it's not turned on, then no danger of spontaneous fire or condensation. There have been cases where volatile liquids stored in a fridge caused the whole thing to go up in flames due to a spark from thermostat. Powder shouldn't have that risk, but better safe than sorry.

It's still best not to store powder in a metal container. If it does catch fire, you want some way for the pressure to escape - this is why wooden boxes are suggested.

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[TMB 1]

If it's not turned on, then no danger of spontaneous fire or condensation. There have been cases where volatile liquids stored in a fridge caused the whole thing to go up in flames due to a spark from thermostat. Powder shouldn't have that risk, but better safe than sorry.

It's still best not to store powder in a metal container. If it does catch fire, you want some way for the pressure to escape - this is why wooden boxes are suggested.

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Refrigerators are metal, insulation and plastic. The doors have magnetic rubber seal. They banned refrigerators with latches 50-60 years ago I think, but even if you used an old freezer with locking door the rubber seal would blowout giving a way for pressure to escape if there was a fire.


Almost forgot an old refrigerator or freezer that doesn't work anymore or remove power cord for people dumb enough plug it in to freeze powder.

[jimmykan]

If you are asking whether that's safe, that sounds fine to me.

If you are asking whether that complies with all the pertaining laws and regulations, I'm not sure. Seems like you need a wooden powder magazine with 1" thick walls to store more than 20 lbs.

Calguns.net - California law on how much powder one can have?

[elk hunter]

Store your powder how ever you want, in your old refrigerator, ammo cans whatever but be warned. You have a incident involving most anything in that building and you suffer any loss that involves a FD which "will" be investigated and they find that powder stored in some of the ways talked about in this thread you could have some problems. The fire cops could get involved as well as the Fire Marshall's office and to be sure the fire Insurance company will be doing their own investigation and it could affect your claim. Do what you want but a wood box is the best way to do it, people doing stupid stuff was my job security. No one hast to dial 911 when they do something smart.

[kcstott]

so now we are back to refrigerators??

So what happened to all the threads where people used old refrigerators for gun safes, ammo lockers and just plain misc storage cabinet only to find mildew growing like a weed?

Old refrigerators are a bad idea unless you vent them. and not due to any explosion hazard but moisture build up.

A wooden box, old foot locker, or the like, or as the OP has a purpose built flammables cabinet.

[czuleget]

I buy the large 30MM ammo cans at the gun show and store it in a can with the lids snapped closed.

[bigdawg86]

I have too much powder to keep in refrigerators or ammo cans... Primers I keep in a large 30mm can with dessicant.
I use this shelf.

Storage Shelving

I have ammo on one level and powder on another.

[MarikinaMan]

I keep powder that won’t get used for years in disposable styro coolers I came into. They’re out of sight, and temp stable, if that matters. Best of all, in a fire, they’ll keep em cool, and if I don’t get to it, they won’t hold pressure.

[NapalmCheese]

I buy the large 30MM ammo cans at the gun show and store it in a can with the lids snapped closed.

I'm not a rocket surgeon, but that seems like a bad idea.

[kcstott]

you know how powder valley does it?? On open pallet racks Powder in one area primers in another.

The biggest thing is managing potential fire in your storage area, that means full control of hot work, No smoking, heating, soldering, welding, grinding within 20 feet.

but everybody is going to do what the hell they want anyway.

Be advised ammo cans are great storage containers but not for powder.

[doyouevenchop]

I'm not a rocket surgeon, but that seems like a bad idea.

It is a terrible idea. You would think that people who reload would have a basic idea of the physics behind shooting... e.g. when gunpowder burns in a closed system immense ammounts of pressure build rapidly until the projectile (or shrapnel, in this case) is sent flying at high speeds.

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[rm1911]