I use a 50 gallon whiskey barrel. Its not a large volume of water, but its enough to water my potted plants and make an occasional batch of tea.

Hey joepyeweed - If you get another one of those barrels, can I help you empty it?

Watched a Discovery program some time ago about how those barrels were made - facinating - and finally learned why they don't leak.

Would like to find a wooden barrel to put into our RWH demonstration unit at our County Extension Office. Do you know of anyplace to acquire one in Texas?
I looked online, but came up with zilch.

Did you convert that barrel, and if so, would you please share your method and fittings used with us?

Robert

I live in Peoria, IL. Back in the olden days, there was a Hiram Walker's Distillery in the area. So the old oak empty barrels can usually be found at a local antique dealer and second hand stores. They usually sell for around $40-$50. I'd ship you one but shipping would probably cost $200+, they are very heavy... I know one place that has a stack of probably 50 of these barrels.

It takes quite a bit of rinsing to get the smell of the old whiskey out... it doesn't smell bad.

The bands are rusty and don't last very long. My barrel lasted about 5 years, then I had to get another one. But I really like the rustic appearance. Its not real convenient because its very heavy if you need to move it around...

The wooden barrels have two or three slats in the top and you have to be careful not to cut too much of the slats. I cut a large enough hole in the top that I can coil a hose inside and stick my arm down there.

I secured a screen cover over the top to keep out skeeters and keep out debris from the roof. I screwed the screen down on one side. Attached a small lathe to the other side of the screen. I could lift the lathe to open the screen to access the hole and the hose. The downspout was cut off to dump on to the top of the barrel.

I cut an overflow hole on the side of the barrel just below the top ring. The hole was just large enough (2"x3") to fit an elbow downspout piece. And then I ran the remnant downspout that was cut off for the barrel, on the side of the barrel from the overflow to the ground.

I get water out of the barrel by using the hose as a siphon. I would either place potted plants next to the barrel and siphon water directly on to the plants. Or I would siphon water into a watering can or bucket to move around to the patio or wherever the plant were... One end of the hose (in the barrel) was tied to string and the string was tied to a nail the top of the barrel. I could lift the hose with the string an not have to fish around in the barrel looking for the submerged hose.

I tip the barrel upside down for the winter and re-attach the normal downspout.

Not sure if I explained that very well. But picture is worth a thousand words.

{{gwi:318257}}

I think that a whiskey barrel would have some additional benefits what with having the charred interior. Would make a natural filter/cleanser for the rainwater, I'm thinking. Any 'spirit' residue would break down into sugar/starch/alcohol nutrients giving the first few barrels-full and little zing (straight or on the rocks...;-) ).

When the barrel finally falls apart, what do you do with the seasoned wood? Fireplace kindling? A nice campfire?

I think it's also esthetically pleasing...has an 'old timey' look to it. Nice pic, joepye... :-)
Kris

Yes there is a zing to the water from a recently converted barrel. It smells like you could drink it yourself.

And yes, when the barrel fell apart I used it for firewood. And I gave the metal bands to a youth group that collects scrap metal and recycles it for a fund raiser.

Ah, circle of life. Gotta love it!

I have to say I've been thinking about getting a plastic rain barrel because I think it would be easier to move when I want to move it...I may keep the rustic barrel on one downspout and put the plastic barrel on the other.

But the price on the rain-barrel-ready plastic barrel astounds me... $120 at the garden center here. Ouch. though it has a nice hanging basket strainer and a bottom downspout.

I've thought about adding a bottom spout to the wooden barrel... bought the hole bit for the drill, but I worry that it wouldn't get a tight seal on the spigot. I'm not a plumber...

I have no idea how I posted that twice

Our local recycling center has hundreds of different barrels - both plastic and metal - in all sorts of sizes. Maximum price - $6. They can almost always tell us what was in them too because of the HazMat laws. 55 gallon apple juice barrels we got for $3 are perfect for fitting under the downspouts. Screw in a cheap faucet close to the bottom for your hose.

If you are interested in reviewing any of the many other discussions on making and using rain barrels, check out the link below. Just scroll down to the discussions with the blue borders. Many of them have photos too.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Rain barrel discussions

Hi,
Pennymca posted in the 'best method' thread, and she included a link to a web blog that showed above ground rain barrel stacking and I feel it should be included in this thread. Thanks for posting it, pennymca! The blog is very informative and the pictures are terrific.
Kris

Here is a link that might be useful: Rainbarrel stacking/plumbing

That double stacked rain barrel system is causing me serious "envy". Breath...Val....breath.

Val