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Thread: Aging/Heating Barrel Insulation?

  1. #1
    Homesteader jwcarlson's Avatar
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    Default Aging/Heating Barrel Insulation?

    In the interest of not dumping needless dollars into an aging barrel in the form of heater kilowatts, I'm wondering if anyone insulates their barrels and if so, how do you do it?

    There are some barrel insulating sleeves that cost something like $150. I'm not against buying one as it will eventually pay for itself over time. But I'm thinking I can probably do something with something commercially available for less money. I'm thinking something with some fiberglass batting wrapped around it and held down/protected by... something I haven't thought of yet. Maybe a sheet of thin plastic or something. This is just in the utility room in the basement, so it doesn't have to look nice. With the dimension of my barrel, I can wrap the whole thing with a 15' long roll of R13 insulation (about $17). Just wondering if anyone has any better ideas.
    Last edited by jwcarlson; 04-21-2022 at 12:12 PM.

  2. #2
    Administrator jeep's Avatar
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    Brian

    Default Re: Aging/Heating Barrel Insulation?

    Reflectix! https://www.lowes.com/pd/Reflectix-R...5-ft-L/3011904

    Here's an old thread that I still stand by. Me and a friend once insulated a 1500g holding tank with it.
    http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...ight=reflectix

  3. #3
    Homesteader jwcarlson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Aging/Heating Barrel Insulation?

    Thanks, Brian!
    I think their R-values might be a bit dubious, but that would be an easy installation. Might be better building a simply cover and lining it (which is something I have been thinking about).

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Aging/Heating Barrel Insulation?

    If you are worry about saving kWh try a TOU meter, check with your local utility company.

    Cliff

  5. #5
    Homesteader Charlyc11's Avatar
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    Default Re: Aging/Heating Barrel Insulation?

    I have a 55 gallon drum polypropylene open top with lid and I wrapped it with a moving blanket like the ones you get from U-Haul. It holds temperature great in a 60F room in my basement. I have a 500 watt heater with a controller. I have next to it a 55 gallon fish tank that it's at room temperature that I transfer to the barrel if I need more aged water. It heats up in 4 hours give or take.
    Just Call Me Chuck

    Disclaimer : I am an old man and all this information is from the top of my head so any mistakes noted I claim the 5th

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