Powder Storage in Freezer?

[Gearhead Jim]

We have a large horizontal freezer, I'm thinking of storing my powder cans in there. The room is low fire risk, the freezer would probably protect the cans in anything except an extreme fire, and the lid would blow open if somehow the powder did ignite.

Is there any problem with the cold storage temperature, like condensation inside the cans? I can let them warm up before opening to use, but that might not be enough. Any other problems?

Thanks!

 

[Leonard]

Cool, dry, low humidity storage. Moisture if frozen could be a major issue.

Len

 

[revolverfan2]

what he said, when you take it from freezer you will get condensation inside container

 

[valkyriekl]

What about just a refridgerator? If I used a fridge for primer/powder storage, maybe set to the warmest setting, would I be facing the same condensation issues?

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Actually, I'm thinking the condensation INSIDE the can would occur as the can cooled off in the freezer. That's what happens in airplane fuel tanks on cool evenings.

After taking it out, the exterior of the can would "sweat" for a while but that problem could be solved by not opening until the outside was dry, after a day or so.

 

[tbury]

Moisture and possibly oxygen are the two factors most likely to degrade powder. I have powder from the 60s that have been stored in an unheated garage in KY for 20+ years. The powder is in the original containers and the garage is dry. Temps range from over 100F in the summer to below 0F in the winters. The powders show no signs of break down. Most recommendations for storage of powder call for a container that does not allow pressure to build up in case of a fire. I keep mine in a wooden crate made of 1 inch thick boards with sufficient space between the boards to allow and pressure to escape. JMHO.

 

[NKJ nut]

The powder would probably keep just fine, but really there is no need to do it, IMHO.

I have old powder that is just as good as it ever was, stored at room temperature.

 

[Tin]

I've kept powder in the family refrigerator , crisper drawer for years without any problems..With the powder that is..!!!

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Powder will last for years at room temperature. I am
talking 20 years or more. Why do it? Don

 

[claybird]

What all of the above said and Do Not keep primers and powder in the same area. My powder is stored in a wooden box in the garage and the primers are in clothes closet in the house,temp controled.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

The powder would probably keep just fine, but really there is no need to do it, IMHO.

I have old powder that is just as good as it ever was, stored at room temperature.

Duh, I wasn't very clear in my original post. Sorry.
The advantage to keeping the powder in a freezer would not come from storage conditions (room temp is just fine) but protection in case of a house fire. Any fire big enough to set off the powder in a freezer will probably destroy the house anyway. But a relatively small fire in my shop (where the powder is now), or "normal" storage anywhere in the house, could get to the powder and turn a small house fire into a total loss.

 

[Dave from Pa]

Unless its Black powder, you are going to have a burn,not an explosion.If you are really that worried build a powder magazine or use a metal storage cabinet.

 

[kennyb]

it's overkill...a shelf in the garage works just fine

 

[valkyriekl]

it's overkill...a shelf in the garage works just fine

Well, then...I'm going to save my fridge in my garage for my beer =)

If I drank beer, that is (I don't).

 

[kennyb]

LOL...i have a 1950 model coke machine in the garage...gotta love those six and a half bottles coming out ice cold

 

[nicky4968]

Smokeless powder in the open air burns with a hot, smoky flame. Not particularly fast. It is only when it is put in a confined area, like a cartridge case, that it achieves its higher pressure.
Black powder in the open air burns the same as it does in a cartridge case and is another story entirely. I will let those with experience with the Holy Black discuss how they store it.
By putting the smokeless powder in a confined container, like a freezer, footlocker, refrigerator, or coke machine, you have created the same condition that exists in the cartridge case, viz: you have just created a bomb in your family's home. Don't do it.
A good powder magazine for smokeless has to have venting to the outside air so that pressure can't build up rapidly. If you want to lock it up, and can't afford one of the powder safes, you need something like a high school gym locker.
This is the reason the powder containers are built the way they are. Strength-wise, they most closely resemble a container of Quaker Oats. They keep everything sealed and dry, but burst at the first sign of pressure.
To repeat, if you have stored your powder as suggested by others here, the day will come when you put your house in the street.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

...
By putting the smokeless powder in a confined container, like a freezer, footlocker, refrigerator, or coke machine, you have created the same condition that exists in the cartridge case, viz: you have just created a bomb in your family's home. Don't do it.
A good powder magazine for smokeless has to have venting to the outside air so that pressure can't build up rapidly. If you want to lock it up, and can't afford one of the powder safes, you need something like a high school gym locker.
...

Our freezer lid is not locked shut, it simply lays closed. Any powder combustion inside (pretty unlikely, unless the whole house is burning down anyway) would simply push the lid open. Even if the lid was locked closed, the body is lightweight plastic, wimpy insulation, and very thin metal; weak seams. I'm not worried about it allowing pressure to build up.

OTOH, something like a gymn locker would worry me. The ones I've seen have vents, but the rest of the body is pretty sturdy. If the rate of combustion couldn't vent out quickly enough, then the locker could indeed become a bomb.

Either way, I've decided not to use the freezer. We have a wood cabinet with big doors and magnetic catches, a gentle push will open them. That's going to be the place.

 

[nicky4968]

FWIW, my gym locker was naught more than a wire cage.
As long as the lid isn't heavy, or of the door opens easily, you should be fine.

 

[imashooter2]

Duh, I wasn't very clear in my original post. Sorry.
The advantage to keeping the powder in a freezer would not come from storage conditions (room temp is just fine) but protection in case of a house fire. Any fire big enough to set off the powder in a freezer will probably destroy the house anyway. But a relatively small fire in my shop (where the powder is now), or "normal" storage anywhere in the house, could get to the powder and turn a small house fire into a total loss.

Then construct a wooden magazine per NFPA guidelines.

 

[tgwillard]

Just leave your powder in the original container on a shelf. I am back into reloading and am using up some 700x and Unique that I purchased 40 years ago.