Rain Barrell in the winter...paint it black, insulate it, or insulate and paint that black?

[whitenack]

Hey All,

I am doing some brainstorming on chicken coop design, and thinking about how to set up a freeze-proof (or at least, freeze-resistant) water system. I live in central KY, so our winters aren't terrible, but we may go a few weeks with sub-freezing temperatures. I have seen designs with the aquarium heaters and/or tank de-icers, and that can always be a backup plan, but I think I may have an idea that would work (as long as the sun is out.

I have a couple of food grade 55 gallon drums, and I'd like to set one out in the sun to absorb the heat. My first thought was to paint it black, but then I wondered about whether it is best to insulate it instead. Or, insulate it and then paint the insulation?

 

[cavemanrich]

If you insulate, and then paint black,, the insulation will prevent the heat energy reaching the water. Insulation is great if you have a stock tank heater inside, and want to prevent the warmth from escaping into outdoor ambient .
Since you are in a mild winter area, the black color will absorb the suns heat during day. At night, that heat will of course escape, BUT the large volume of water inside barrel takes a long time to freeze in mild sub-freezing cold. ,, Daylight arrives, and natural warming resumes.
Have a stock tank heater around in case temps do drop low,,,low,,,low.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Mtnboomer]

If you have consistently cold nights bdlow freezing, drain it to prevent it freezing and bursting. Wait til spring. That is what i have to do each year. My rain barrels are black/dark brown and whdn i first got them they froze solid overnight in 25F temps. Luckily, they didn't crack. Even in the sun they never thawed completely because they kept refreezing at night and the little bit of water that would be available was never enough for daily watering.

If you live in a milder climate, you may be sble to get awayvwith it. But i was lucky mine didn't crack that first winter. All it takes is one good freeze and you lose your barrel. Unless you provide an artificial heat source.

 

[whitenack]

Thanks. And a follow-up question - would it be better to locate the barrel inside an un-heated barn or outside in the sun, painted black? I guess that depends on how cold it is outside/inside the barn and whether the sun is shining?

 

[MissMonty]

I'd be worried of it getting too full and a freeze coming and it breaking which is going to be a big pain. I'm in southern ohio so only a little north of you and I know it would freeze here. You can paint it black which will help the sun heating it but winters here there just aren't a lot of bright sunny days either. Unless you're putting a heater in it I probably wouldn't risk it for now.

 

[whitenack]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm still thinking I want a tank heater and circulating pump as a backup in case things get close to freezing, but I'm looking for the most efficient setup that would allow the heater/pump to be used the least often.

 

[MissMonty]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm still thinking I want a tank heater and circulating pump as a backup in case things get close to freezing, but I'm looking for the most efficient setup that would allow the heater/pump to be used the least often.

You can set up the heater to only kick on when the water gets below a certain temp. I would also put a drain somewhere so that if the off chance it does freeze the water won't be above a certain level leaving plenty of space for the water to expand

 

[Mtnboomer]

Thanks. And a follow-up question - would it be better to locate the barrel inside an un-heated barn or outside in the sun, painted black? I guess that depends on how cold it is outside/inside the barn and whether the sun is shining?

Does the barn have a concrete floor? Usually it can remain colder in a barn especially one with a concrete floor than in direct sun. However, the barn can retain its heat longer once the sun goes down.
So if it freezes in the barn it will take longer to thaw.
I'd leave it outside against the barn wall with a southern or western exposure, but if you get a night cold enougg for it to freeze it could bust.
Is it an actual purchased rain barrel with a top? Or an open topped repurposed drum? If its not enclosed, the ice can rise out the top and put less pressure on the side walls, but they can still crack.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm still thinking I want a tank heater and circulating pump as a backup in case things get close to freezing, but I'm looking for the most efficient setup that would allow the heater/pump to be used the least often.

Put them on a timer to kick on for like 10 min every hr or so depending on how cold it is. Thats all you would need unless you are in weather consistently below 20 degrees. Then i would bump it up to run for 15 min every hr

 

[whitenack]

Yes, it would be on a concrete floor.

The barrels are those blue, food-grade 55 gallon drums.

Thanks for the ideas.