Water bottles in car
Posted by AnarchyBruder@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 37 comments
Hello, quick question regarding water storage. I’d like to store a decent amount of water in my car, let’s just say a 40pk bottled water. I live in a very hot state and I’m aware of the concern of hot plastic bottles becoming unsafe to drink. My questions are as follows; 1) is there actually any truth to this? I’ve seen it both ways where people claim there is danger and where people don’t, I’d like a more definitive answer WITH credible sources please. 2) Assuming it truly is unsafe what’s a fair timeframe to assume the water will be safe for? Say peak of Arizona summer am I safe to drink from a plastic water bottle that’s been stored in my car a week after storage? A month? A day? Again, I’d like credible sources if possible.
Thanks guys :)
Phylace@reddit
Are you really that far from water for that long that you have to store that much?
AnarchyBruder@reddit (OP)
I live in Arizona. Understand that if some emergency happens, especially during summer (pretty much half of the year), that inhibits or completely comprises my otherwise conventional options of obtaining water those 40x 16.9oz bottles really won’t last long. You think it’s a lot, it’s not, unsure why people on Reddit tend to be condescending as opposed to moving along if they don’t have anything useful or helpful to chip in with.
Phylace@reddit
Didn't mean to sound condescending. I live in drought too but am fortunate not to have to live in my van full time. Hope you find an efficient and safe way to store sufficient water.
AnarchyBruder@reddit (OP)
Apologies for my snide remark then, it just sounded condescending to me.
gadget850@reddit
I keep two 1 liter bottles in the car and rotate them every 4 months with no issues.
TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit
Short answer: I wouldn't.
Use Lifeboat Rations (SOS/Datrex brand). It's pouched water that is made for extreme temperatures (hot, freezing, etc.) Water bottles will absolute degrade.
Source: I left one in my car for...ages. Went to drink it- realized too late it was a snowglobe inside due to the interior plastic flaking off into the water. Yum. Microplastics.
Never storing bottled water in my car again. Pouched water/lifeboat rations for car.
Routine_Umpire_3071@reddit
Pretty sure those are MACROplastics, at that point.
I didn't think the lifeboat rations were rated to hold up to freezing. I knew they did for heat. I know mayday says 40 degrees. I'll have to dig into more brands to find their temp ratings, I guess.
browsegear@reddit
I ordered a case to try for car storage and tossed a handful in the freezer to test, not a leak in the lot. They are in all of my vehicles now.
Routine_Umpire_3071@reddit
Good to hear. I always THOUGHT they were good in freezing, but when the listing I found said 40 degrees, I didn't want to risk it. I used to have a different brand in my car. I should have known it would be fine.
browsegear@reddit
Yeah I was skeptical too, but worth the experiment. No leakers to date!
TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit
Oh, definitely Macro.
From what I understand, Lifeboat rations can freeze/thaw and be totally fine. From the Amazon page for the SOS water ration pouches: " S.O.S emergency water ration pouches can withstand temperatures ranging from -40° F to 230° F. "
Routine_Umpire_3071@reddit
Nice! Yeah, mayday says it can't be stored below freezing, and I didn't quickly see the other ratings, so assumed the same.
Already have the SOS bars in my truck, so I may as well add their water pouches.
Appreciate it!
TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit
Interesting! As a heads up, it does say they can be stored at freezing (Mayday)
https://www.maydaysupplies.com/product/wa44sp-6-pack-of-mayday-drinking-water/ Maybe there's a different brand that can't?
It's a wild world of products to be sure- happy to help!
Routine_Umpire_3071@reddit
May have come down to faulty listing on other sites. Maybe they forgot the negative symbol for negative 40. Amazon says the same, 40 degrees.
TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit
Definitely a possibility. Or perhaps an older version?
Routine_Umpire_3071@reddit
So strange... I was just double checking a larger package of them that stated storing down to freezing on their site, and their Amazon list says 40. I give up.
Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit
I use Deer Park spring water in aluminum bottles for car storage and get home bags.
As with anything that "goes bad" it is a gradual process with several variables. Some will say that any water stored in any kind of plastic for any amount of time is unsafe. I would that any water in reasonable condition is good to have in an emergency.
WhiskeyPeter007@reddit
Apocalyptic event happens. YOU ARE DRINKING EVERY SINGLE PLASTIC BOTTLE OF WATER YOU CAN FIND. Quit shitting 💩 yourselves ! 🤣🤣🤣
DeafHeretic@reddit
Nalgene water bottles
KeithJamesB@reddit
The trailers that transport the water to the store aren't climate-controlled. The warehouses that store the water aren't climate-controlled. With that being said, it depends on how hot your car gets and how long it's stored.
PrepperBoi@reddit
And direct sunlight.
Hefty-Squirrel-6800@reddit
If you drink them and rotate out the stock, it will not be a problem,
The problem that I see with most preppers is they accumulate a large stash of stuff and call it good.
You actually have to use your preps in everyday life. You are already going to be under extreme stress during a SHTF event. This is not the time to try to change your daily routine radically.
R1chard_Nix0n@reddit
I like to use stainless or aluminum bottles from the thrift store, I'm in the midwest so I like that they can be placed in/over/near a fire/stove without worrying about anything but the paint on the outside.
IronReaper7x@reddit
After a long while it sure tastes gross like plastic. Have no idea how long it took but grandpa had a whole pack of bottles in the back seat. Did not taste good.
Greyzer@reddit
My wife keeps drinking the water bottles in my car.
This creates a good rotation.
ItsSadButtDrew@reddit
Sofia brand / Aqua Literz water is in boxes and designed for long shelf life. being in square boxes, it is better for storage too with less wasted space. You could also get glass jugs or stainless steel bottles and bottle your own.
mwhitaker08@reddit
Keep in mind that every one of those cases sat in a trailer for some duration of time and then in a hot and usually non climate controlled warehouse.
I bought the aluminum bottles.
-Someone who works for Pepsi
jessylz@reddit
Would tetrapak bottles work in this case?
2beatenup@reddit
I keep water bottles in the car/van/suv ALL the time. All pickoff and another half a crate. I do drink from them on a regular basis… aka it is recycled. Some are old bottles and some are new…. Been doing this for many years. Costco bottles have expiry dates for almost 1-2 years.
When I travel with family I restock “freshly” purchased bottles. In an emergency a BPA leached water vs NO water…? I’ll take BPA leached water any day.
sbinjax@reddit
You can purchase a case of Mason jars (Bell or Kerr) and re-bottle the water. Heat won't affect glass.
BirdDog321@reddit
Leave a jug of water in your fridge for a few months and then take a drink. You’ll see.
CyclingDutchie@reddit
Use Glass, Stainless Steel or Titanium, to store water long term.
clementineford@reddit
If you were drinking from this supply regularly I'd think of a different solution, but if it's for emergency use only then I wouldn't worry about it.
The amount of micro plastics you'll get from drinking this once every few years (if that) is absolutely negligible compared to the amount of micro plastics you inhale/ingest every day by wearing synthetic clothing, living near main roads, and consuming a normal American diet.
Eastern-Astronomer-6@reddit
The issue, theoretically, is BPA leaching. Pick a brand that doesn't have BPA. You can Google the recycle codes and see which are "safe".
PrisonerV@reddit
Literally nobody is using BPA in water bottles. Not for many years.
Eastern-Astronomer-6@reddit
Some of the larger multi-gallon bottles use #7 and may contain trace amounts of BPA. For OP and single bottles, he's probably fine.
smsff2@reddit
I don't have any credible sources. I don't need any credible sources. I suspect no credible sources on this topic exist, because I have seen information misunderstood and misinterpreted to a very large extent. Taste and smell test is enough for me. If you worry too much, use glass bottles.