Waterproof Containers

The best and most inexpensive waterproof containers are military "spec" ammunition cans. These are olive drab, all steel, and have a unique elastomeric rim seal that is compressed by a leveraged handle. This ensures an extra-tight waterproof seal.  Plus all of them have a convenient carrying handle. They are designed to remain outdoors in the rain and snow and keep ready ammunition free of moisture.  You could put your cell phone inside, drop ir off a pier, and a mont later pull it up and the cell would be dry.

They cost from five to thirty-five dollars each, depending on where you get them. They also come in various conditions,  from new to well-worn. Make sure you purchase one with an intact elastomeric seal.

They are classed by the kinds of ammunition they were designed to carry.

7.62 NATO cans

16 inches by 3.5 inches by 6.5 inches

.50 Browning cans

11.5 inches by 8 inches by 7 inches

40 mm cans

17 1/4 inches by 5 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches

SAW cans

12 inches by 6 3/4 inches by 8 1/2 inches

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Ammuniton cans come marked "ammunition" and is recommended you paint them, unless you like to open them every time you are around the authorities. A bright color is recommended, other than white (you can't see white in snow).

Keep a piece of paper inside with your name and address, and preferably paint identification on the outside. In a disaster your personal property may be transported in another vehicle with that of others, and things get mixed up very easily.

If you are going to store papers (or ammunition) inside for a long time you should obtain a disiccant, which is a substance that absorbs moisture. Inexpensive silica gell packets are commonly used, and come in two forms, indicating and non-indicating. Non-indicating absorbs moisture and stays the same color. Indicating gels change color when they absorb moisture (white to pink, orange to green, orange to colorless).

If you do seal these containers for long term storage you can add a bead of silicone to the edge completely around the box, to insure a double seal. This can easily be removed with a box-cutter when desired.

The milspec ammo containers are fire resistant, and are ideal for storing tools.

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Ammo cans also make a very nice stove, although when you change them for this purpose they can no longer be used for waterproof storage.

You make a stove by:

(1) Removing the hinged top. ((Easy)

(2) Sawing a two inch diameter hole in one end. Or drilling, if you prefer. High-powered military lasers also work.

(3) along the bottom on each side drill ten 1/2 inch holes.

(4) a half-inch down from the top edge on each side drill ten 3/16th inch holes.

Now obtain stainless steel skewers (ten) long enough to reach through side to side. They will be inserted in the 3/16th inch holes to form a cooking grill.

The holes on the bottom are for draft. The two-inch hole on the end is to feed the fire.  This little stove can cook soup, hot dogs, or boil water for sterilization using wood charcoal or coal for fuel. Wow!

Keep the top off when in use. When cooled the top may be replaced. Utensils and food may be stored inside the stove when not in use.