Rain Barrels

Hi Foodprint Folks,
I'm interested in setting up rain barrels to catch water from the roof and use it in the garden this year. The cost of store bought rain barrels is ridiculous. I know people are making their own by using old wine barrels or other plastic barrels. Anyone have recommendations on sourcing supplies? Also, does anyone have any advice on setting them up?
Thanks!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Katie Quinn-Jacobs on April 14, 2009 at 8:27pm

Hi Shannon,

Dave bought 55 gal drums that had been used for soy sauce from the junk yard in Danby. If you know where the old Danby Store is on 96B just before you hit "downtown Danby," the junk yard is located across the street. The drums cost about $10/each.

We bought the drums for rain barrels, but never put them together. Would also be interested in hearing how other's have done it.

-- Kate

Permalink Reply by Roxy on April 14, 2009 at 9:39pm

Our intern is an IC student and doing a report on how to build rain barrels this Thursday. I'll ask him for his info or to post the instructions to the site. His goal is to show how you can build them with minimal cost.

Permalink Reply by Shannon Haskins on April 18, 2009 at 7:42am

Very cool. I would love to hear what he comes up with.... the minimal cost thing sounds great, as these things seem ridiculously overpriced to me when you buy them already made.

Permalink Reply by Shannon Haskins on April 18, 2009 at 7:41am

Thanks! I may look into those.

Permalink Reply by Graham O on April 17, 2009 at 8:18am

Hi Shannon,
We just ordered a 300 gallon tank from HEP, we'll get it in a few weeks. It's a black cylindrical. It was expensive, but we were looking for one of just the right dimensions because we're going to build an outdoor table right over it. Multifunctionality, and all that. In our research, most tanks figured out to about $1/gallon, unless you find something like Katie mentioned. There are some really big (~300 gal) white rectangular tanks you can find, that people ship liquids in. They have a metal cage for sturdiness.
Graham

Permalink Reply by Shannon Haskins on April 18, 2009 at 7:42am

Thanks for the info!

Permalink Reply by Leah on April 19, 2009 at 7:16pm

This video tells you pretty much all you need to know to convert a barrel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4zoPm2Eu2Q

Home depot & Lowes have all the parts you need, and really easy to boot.

Make sure you check used barrels before you buy them, you want food grade, not chemical barrels. Your nose doesn't lie.

Leah

Permalink Reply by Katie Quinn-Jacobs on April 20, 2009 at 7:15am

Eexcellent video, Leah. Thanks!

Could you also embed it in the video section of IthaCan? More people will see it that way.

-- Kate

Permalink Reply by Roxy on April 21, 2009 at 10:38am

Hi all,

The intrepid intern (Jared) has volunteered to demo the construction of a rain barrel if the materials are supplied. So that got me to thinking that we could pick some evening (intrepid volunteers often have full weekend schedules - being college aged and all) for a group rain barrel making event. If we wait until after Earth Day and Water Week (after May 9th that is), then I can put together a list of places where items can be purchased and can also tell you what tools I can supply. For instance - all those hole saws, jig saws, etc. are covered. We could leave the demo with our very own rain barrel!!! Any interest in doing this?

Roxy

Permalink Reply by Shannon Haskins on April 21, 2009 at 8:06pm

Roxy,
This sounds great! I would love to do it. But, yes, it would definitely need to be a few weeks out... after May 9th sounds perfect. Keep me posted!
Shannon

Permalink Reply by Katie Quinn-Jacobs on April 21, 2009 at 9:50pm

I, too, would be interested, Roxy. Thanks!

As soon as you set a date, go ahead and create an Event here on IthaCan, so that everyone can see it posted on the main page. Also, those of us who are interested can RSVP to the event, which will make organizing easier as you can batch email us through the Event.

-- Kate

PS: (I can't make it the weekend of the 15-17th).

Permalink Reply by Alison F on May 2, 2009 at 8:12pm

I just stumbled on this conversation-- I've been thinking about rain barrels also. That video was great! With all the wineries around here, wouldn't it be great if we could access some old ones? But what would make a winery decide to get rid of their barrels? As for making one, I imagine I could follow directions, but I lack the tools and also need to find the supplies.