Best Rain Barrels in 2022

Last update: November 18, 2022

Can you drink rain water from a rain barrel?

Yes, you can drink rain water from a rain barrel, but you will need to filter it first. Rain barrel water is not safe to drink without filtration because it can contain bacteria and other contaminants. There are many different types of filters available that can be used to filter rain barrel water, so you will need to choose one that is right for you.

Can you put vinegar in rain barrel?

You can absolutely put vinegar in your rain barrel! In fact, vinegar can be a great way to keep your rain barrel clean and free of debris. Simply add a cup of vinegar to your rain barrel and let it sit for a few hours. Then, flush out the barrel with clean water.

Can you store drinking water in a rain barrel?

A rain barrel is a container used to collect and store rainwater that would otherwise be lost to runoff. Collecting rainwater in a rain barrel can be an easy and effective way to conserve water. While rain barrels are typically used to water gardens or lawns, in times of drought, the water collected in a rain barrel can be used for other purposes, such as washing your car or watering indoor plants. If you are considering collecting rainwater in a rain barrel, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it is important to choose a rain barrel that is

Do rain barrels attract mosquitoes?

It is a common misconception that rain barrels attract mosquitoes. In reality, rain barrels can actually help reduce the mosquito population in your yard. When rainwater collects in a rain barrel, it creates an ideal environment for mosquito larvae to develop. However, the mosquito larvae will not have access to the rain barrel if the barrel is covered with a screen. The screen will prevent the adult mosquitoes from getting into the barrel to lay their eggs.


Blue 55 Gallon Water Storage Tank by WaterPrepared - Emergency Water Barrel Container with Spigot for Emergency Disaster Preparedness - Stackable, Space Saving - BPA Free Review:


Not Joyful. I got two of these barrels to store water. The spigots are too large. The 55 gallon water storage barrels' instructions call for a water barrel with two spigots. Naturally, it matters. This water barrel has different-looking spigots. It is distressing, to put it mildly. Rinsing these was a hassle. The bottoms had some minor scratches. I was satisfied with that because they arrived swiftly, but I was quite upset to spend so much effort preparing these barrels just to discover that the spigots would not fit. I want the proper spigot as soon as possible.Update: I've now hired a plumber to install the new parts that were eventually supplied to me. Some people, in my opinion, have more knowledge in certain fields. Based on the evaluations, I believed it would be simple; however, I found it to be really challenging. The threads easily come off. I had previously viewed videos, yet I was still unable to complete this task without assistance. They are a pain to clean and rinse. I bought two barrels, but if I could do it again, I wouldn't have. Zane was very helpful. He gave me texts, emails, and even free replacement parts. If you purchase these, good luck to you. Mine are currently filled with water and should hold up without leaking. Funny, but seriously. I'm happy that I used a plumber. Thank you again, Zane, for all your assistance.



Augason Farms Water Storage Barrel 55-Gallon Drum Review:


A good-quality, durable barrel that was clean when it arrived and was ideal for storing potable water was used. two bungs, one with coarse thread and the other with fine. Both appear to close tightly. Details of the received barrel model are shown in the attached photo. Along with this, I also bought a bung wrench and a siphon pump, and all were compatible as predicted.BPA-FREE TRDRUM30 Heavy Duty Drum Barrel Manual Siphon Pump Duda Energy dwrench Aluminum Drum Wrench for Opening 10 gal, 15 gal, 20 gal, 30 gal, and 55 gal Barrels: Siphon Pump Bung Wrench Bung Racing Fuel Methanol, Standard, 2"



Fiskars Rain Barrel DiverterPro Kit Review:


The majority of diverters resemble open-top buckets. I had a few of those, and they were prone to overflowing and dripping water onto the house's foundation. These are what I bought because the chamber itself is totally enclosed. The chamber that collects and directs the water is actually extremely well made. The remainder, though, is not as well designed. With a little work, you can get past this.1) If you have 2x3" downspouts, then the diverter doesn't nest inside of your gutter drain, they nest over it, and since water mostly slides down the sides of your down spout, this means that a large amount of water coming out the bottom of the diverter ends up going over the downspout, not through the down spout. So, you really need to caulk it otherwise huge amounts of water will come out the bottom of the diverter and go over theThe attachments on the side fit 3/4' plumbing fittings, so I got socket-thread fittings and made a pipe by splicing a garden hose. I also added a valve just so I could stop water from entering the barrels if I wanted. 2) The tube that comes with it is flimsy and doesn't seal well to anything. More water leaking around your foundation.The modifications I mentioned above would likely cost twice as much, but being an eco-warrior and all, I think it's worth it to get the water diverted without causing a mess near the foundation of my house, thus in my perspective this is the best of many poor possibilities.



Good Ideas IMP-C50-OAK Impressions Bark Rain Saver, 50-Gallon, Oak Review:


This is a lovely rain barrel/planter. Deep enough texture grooves on the outside give the item a sturdy, high-quality feel. The layout is well-considered and gorgeous. The provided spigots seem to be well-built, made of solid brass, and they function flawlessly. It does, however, have significant drawbacks. The threads for the provided spigots are rather deep into the barrel, and I don't think they are quite the proper size, which is my greatest complaint. The spigots didn't become tight until I completely screwed them in, flush with the barrel's face. Teflon tape is provided, which is advantageous because you must use a lot of it to prevent leaks. The top planter space is also considerably shallower than I would like. Only having roughly 5-6" of planter depth is not ideal for a planter this broad. Additionally, the planter has no method to drain any water. Depending on the type of plants you intend to keep there, this may or may not be a good thing. Overall, I would certainly repurchase it.



Good Ideas RW40-OAK Rain Wizard Rain Barrel 40-Gallon, Oak Review:


Starting with five stars. a season update is forthcoming.A disgruntled reviewer complained about the product's poor quality based just on its overflow nipple. Seriously?Another reviewer is dissatisfied since the bottom cracked after being kept outside throughout the "prolonged" winter. He is angry that the warranty, which only lasts for 30 days, was not extended to cover his loss because he possessed it for about a year and a half. Did he allow the water to freeze and expand inside?It is made of plastic. Delete it in the fall if your winters are chilly. Place it in a secure location. a shed or a garage. Place it in the basement. It only has a 22-pound weight. If you leave it outside, cover it to prevent rainwater infiltration and to stop UV light from fading the color and damaging the plastic. Accept some accountability!This barrel cannot be used with pipes that collect rainwater automatically. http://www.amazon.com/Oatey-14209-Mystic-Rainwater-Collection/dp/B003E1RJVU/ref=pd sim lg 4?ie=UTF8



Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System Fits 2" X 3" Residential Downspouts Review:


It's unusual for Utah, the second driest state, to get rain over the weekend, so I simply bought this in anticipation of it. Using exact measurements, I removed 6 1/2 inches more gutter than was suggested. This made it possible for me to utilize the same hole for the gutter strap, but if necessary, a new hole may be easily made by driving the sheet metal screw from the strap through the gutter. To make the cut, I initially used a Dremel tool, but ultimately a hacksaw proved simpler. Before cutting, place cardboard behind the gutter; be patient; the back cut is the slowest. about 3-5 minutes for each cut. Ensure that you are standing above the rim of your rain barrel. I'm sure the hose that comes with it is great, but I chose to use the corrugated hose that was included with my rain barrels instead because it won't collapse and the dark color is less noticeable.In roughly 8 hours, I had filled both 55-gallon barrels. Had I waited for the heavy rain that occurred over night, it would have taken considerably less time. My barrels are not the sealed variety, so I can either use the hose that comes with the barrel to direct extra runoff away from the house or the plug that comes with the unit to winterize it. Due to the fact that the downspout's discharge enters my garden, I made the decision to plug it until the next storm. It performs just as described by others. The water quickly diverts to the barrels because it adheres to the inside wall of the gutter. Up until the barrels are filled, very little water flows from the downspout. I don't recall seeing this stated anywhere, but you can easily have it divert to either side.



RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel with Brass Spigot, Brown Review:


If you don't have the space to store used water "totes," this barrel is a terrific deal. Installing this directly against a wall will cause the barrel to bow out at the rear by roughly 3 inches when it is full. Lay the barrel on its back and double-check that the brass spigot is straight before committing to installing it because it is simple to remove the threads. To install it completely, a pipe wrench will likely be required. You'll need to clip some of the extruding tabs and insert tubing with a 1" internal diameter between the barrels in order to daisy chain more barrels. Consider mounting the barrel on a water heater drain pan as the overflow hole on the front of the barrel cannot be connected to a hose.What I discovered about rainwater collection is as follows:Before you start a project to collect rainwater, be aware that while you might conserve water, it's unlikely you'll save money. My Tier 2 water tariff (of of 4 tiers) has me paying $0.002 per gallon even in drought-stricken California. For 100 gallons of water, that amounts to 20 cents. If saving money is your primary goal, check your water rates and any barrel rebates that might be offered.The goal is to fill and empty your rain barrels frequently during the winter between storms rather than filling them once to empty in the summer because plants prefer rainwater to chemically-treated tap water. By doing this, you may be able to conserve hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water annually.The three main difficulties with rainwater harvesting are collection, storage, and distribution. You need a somewhat complex system if you want to significantly reduce your water usage. Most lawns need at least one inch of water per week, and one inch of rain can produce 623 gallons of water on a 1,000 square foot roof. Do your own calculations and don't be surprised if the 400-pound, 50-gallon rain barrel seems insignificant after all.CollectionYour downspout can be modified in a few different ways to catch rainwater. You can use a diverter, move your downspout, plug it, or install a "rain chain" after trimming it so that it empties straight into a barrel (and daisy-chain additional barrels). You don't want a lot of water to soak into the ground within 10 feet of the foundation of your home, so think about what will happen when your barrel is full. Instead of draining into the sewer system, excess water should ideally be absorbed into the ground through a permeable "rain garden" to replenish the nearby water table. Consider installing an overflow spout or placing your barrel on a water heater drain pan if your barrel doesn't already have one for this purpose.A diverter like Oatey's, which feeds water back into the downspout once the barrel is full, has been installed successfully by some persons at barrel-height. However, the diverter should be installed 12 to 24 inches above barrel height, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.StorageAs a rain barrel, any watertight container will do. You must specify your restrictions in terms of physical space, financial resources, HOA requirements, aesthetics, safety, etc. If you have the storage space, it's difficult to beat used 275 gallon "totes" in terms of value. Otherwise, this RTS barrel performs admirably.Make sure to set your barrels on a solid, level, and elevated platform made of cement-capped bricks or cinder blocks. It will be challenging to connect a hose to a barrel that is set directly on the ground or to set a bucket underneath the spigot.DistributionIt can be hard to distribute the rainwater that has been collected. Water pressure is the main problem. Do not anticipate being able to attach a water wand or sprayer right to your barrel. In contrast to the 2-3 psi that a 50 gallon barrel on cinder blocks might produce, residential water pressure is often between 40 and 80 psi. Utilizing gravity by mounting the barrel as high as feasible is one approach to increase this. Every 2.3 feet of elevation gain results in an extra pound of pressure.Using a low-pressure drip irrigation system is one method for effectively distributing the water. For a small garden, you can either use a bucket or watering can, or you can simply use a garden hose to slowly pour the contents of the barrel onto the lawn. Consider utilizing a water pump like a Wayne PC1 or PC2 if additional pressure is required, but keep in mind that most pumps are designed to flow water without obstruction rather than pressurize water for a sprinkler or sprayer.If you intend to have water on hand in case of an emergency, boil it first or use a backpacker-style water filter before drinking. Add about 5 teaspoons of bleach per 50 gallons.Edit: I created a straightforward PVC manifold to drain (and fill) the barrels simultaneously. With this configuration, barrels can still be cleaned annually by being individually drained and separated.



Good Ideas RW50-OAK Rain Wizard Rain Barrel 50 Gallon, Oak Review:


I kept this during two severe storms (floods) in Northern California. There is a warning with the filter screen, as has been stated by others. Due to the small size of the openings, some water leaks instead of entering the barrel. In order to remedy this, I swapped out the plastic filter for a stainless steel sink drain that could fit over the hole: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L6M66GC/ref=cm cr ryp prd ttl sol 12 This permits the water to enter while keeping the trash out. The drain rests above the hole; I did not screw it in. When filled with leaves or other debris, it is both heavy enough to stay put and light enough to be picked up and thrown. Since I don't have a gutter where this barrel is, you could or might not be able to use my modification.Aside from that, this rain barrel is the greatest fit for my needs after looking at several others. It comes with plumbers tape to wrap around the spigot threads, an overflow spout, robust spigots, and a flat back that sits against my wall. Use all of the plumbers tape, please. It will seem excessive to you, but trust me. It makes a robust seal once you screw that spigot onto the barrel using tape. I've had it for a few weeks and there aren't any indications that the spigot/barrel connection is dripping.To boost the water pressure, be sure to set the barrel on a platform. Purchase the stand that is not recommended by Amazon. Purchasing a few cinder blocks is less expensive. I've lifted it 12 inches, and the pressure there is sufficient to fill a watering can underneath. Though I am unable to remark on the hose attachment.



Good Ideas IMP-L50-OAK Impressions Palm Rain Barrel, 50-Gallon, Oak Review:


I put mine in front of my house right next to a downspout that sprays water onto the pavement leading up to the front door. I removed the hook before dropping a 10-inch hanging basket of petunias into the planting well. People have said that it appears to be a lovely planter rather than a rain barrel, which is exactly what I was trying for because I live in a development with an active HOA that likes to picket anything not aesthetically pleasing. Since my downspout was around the corner from the barrel and I didn't want a big, unsightly mass of flexible plastic pipe making the turn and carrying the water into the top of the barrel, I didn't use the input port built into the top of the barrel. I first placed the barrel in the desired location. Second, I made a hole for the input port slightly below the bottom of the sunken top in the rain barrel's side. I then took measurements and installed a Fiskars Diverter Pro on my downspout so that the pipe leading from the downspout into the barrel is essentially level. ensures that when the barrel is full, the overflow will flow back down the downspout rather than blowing out the barrel. The diverter might then be painted to match the downspout. Instead of dragging hose around from the side of the house to water some new plantings, it was exciting to fill my watering can from the genuine brass spigot.



RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel Stand Review:


I put mine in front of my house right next to a downspout that sprays water onto the pavement leading up to the front door. I removed the hook before dropping a 10-inch hanging basket of petunias into the planting well. People have said that it appears to be a lovely planter rather than a rain barrel, which is exactly what I was trying for because I live in a development with an active HOA that likes to picket anything not aesthetically pleasing. Since my downspout was around the corner from the barrel and I didn't want a big, unsightly mass of flexible plastic pipe making the turn and carrying the water into the top of the barrel, I didn't use the input port built into the top of the barrel. I first placed the barrel in the desired location. Second, I made a hole for the input port slightly below the bottom of the sunken top in the rain barrel's side. I then took measurements and installed a Fiskars Diverter Pro on my downspout so that the pipe leading from the downspout into the barrel is essentially level. ensures that when the barrel is full, the overflow will flow back down the downspout rather than blowing out the barrel. The diverter might then be painted to match the downspout. Instead of dragging hose around from the side of the house to water some new plantings, it was exciting to fill my watering can from the genuine brass spigot.


Do rain barrels get moldy?

If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you may be considering using rain barrels to help save water. However, you may be wondering if rain barrels get moldy. Mold can certainly grow in rain barrels, but there are a few things you can do to prevent it. First, make sure your rain barrel is made of a material that won't support mold growth, such as plastic or metal. Second, keep your rain barrel covered to keep out debris that could promote mold growth. Finally, empty and clean your rain barrel regularly to prevent mold from taking hold

How do you keep rain barrels from stagnating?

To keep rain barrels from stagnating, it is important to regularly empty and clean them. This will ensure that any build-up of debris or algae is removed and that the barrel is able to properly drain. Additionally, it is a good idea to add a small amount of bleach to the barrel every few months to help prevent the growth of bacteria.

How high off the ground should a rain barrel be?

A rain barrel should be placed high enough off the ground so that a hose can be easily attached to the spigot. The barrel should also be elevated on a platform or stand so that the spigot is about waist high. This will make it easier to fill buckets or watering cans.

How long can you keep water in rain barrel?

You can keep water in rain barrel for as long as you want. There is no specific time limit.

How long does it take to fill a 50 gallon rain barrel?

It takes approximately 1 hour to fill a 50 gallon rain barrel.

How much rain does it take to fill a 55 gallon rain barrel?

It takes approximately 0.62 inches of rain to fill a 55 gallon rain barrel. This is based on the average U.S. rainfall of 27.15 inches per year.