Is it possible to store alcohol in a plastic bottle or canister?

Not everyone knows that storing alcohol in a plastic bottle is highly discouraged. Ethanol can slowly dissolve polymers, so it should not be stored in plastic. Let's figure out which containers are suitable for storing alcohol solutions, and name the most common mistakes during storage.

In what containers should you not store alcohol?

From a chemical point of view, ethyl alcohol is an effective solvent. During long-term storage, it may interact with the materials from which the container is made. In addition, ethanol is very volatile, so it evaporates from containers that are not tightly closed.

Another problem that arises during storage is slow oxidation upon contact with air. The products of this process spoil the taste and increase the toxicity of alcoholic beverages.

Containers made from the following materials are completely unsuitable for storing alcohol solutions at home:

• Most polymers. These are PVC, polystyrene, polypropylene and many others. Toxic substances released into the solution from degrading plastic can damage the liver, kidneys and other vital organs. A triangle marking will help determine whether the plastic is suitable for storing alcohol. If it contains numbers from “3” to “7”, the container for storing alcohol is not suitable.
• Aluminum. There is a thin layer of chemically resistant oxide on the walls of the aluminum flask, but if this film is damaged, the “winged metal” quickly forms salts - alcoholates. Aluminum hydroxide released during the hydrolysis of alcoholates also actively destroys the protective film. As a result of these reactions, the alcohol will be contaminated with harmful substances, and the flask will become unusable.
• Galvanized and enameled steel cookware. The reasons are the same: the slightest destruction of the protective coating will cause gradual destruction of the metal and the release of toxic compounds into the stored liquid.
• Crystal glassware. Crystal contains toxic lead oxide, which will dissolve during long-term storage.

Duty Free stores sell alcoholic drinks in plastic containers. But this is not a violation for two reasons. Firstly, safe plastics are used (marked with the numbers “1” and “2”). Secondly, plastic bottles are intended only for short-term storage (1-2 days).

How can you store alcohol?

The most suitable material for storing alcoholic beverages is glass. It doesn’t matter what is stored in it - medical alcohol or raw alcohol, the glass will not react with the components. If the plug is secure, it will not allow the ethanol to evaporate. The only drawback of the material is its fragility.

To prevent the glass from breaking due to a careless impact, protective cases are used. You can buy such a case or make it yourself. One of the suitable materials for its manufacture is polystyrene foam. It is easy to cut parts out of it, and polyurethane foam is used to connect them together.

An alternative to glass can be:

• Stainless steel. In steel containers, ethanol is supplied to health care facilities, industrial enterprises, etc. Canisters with a capacity of 21.5 liters are stored centrally for a long time.To prevent the alcohol from oxidizing, the canister is equipped with a sealed lid that does not allow air to pass through.
• Oak barrels. This container is better suited for expensive alcohol. Wood enriches the drink with tannins, allows it to breathe, improving taste and aroma. Oak barrels are great for storing cognac, whiskey, etc. But if purity is important (for example, for technical liquids), then wooden barrels are not suitable.

You can find containers for storing alcohol in any home. Even a regular three-liter jar provides safe storage for 1–2 years.

How to store alcohol at home?

In addition to choosing the right dishes, it is important to comply with storage conditions. To store ethanol solutions at home correctly, select a place inaccessible to children and pets. It should also be protected from direct sunlight, changes in humidity and temperature.

Both ethanol and its vapors are flammable. Therefore, it is important that there are no open flames, sparking wiring or other sources of flame in the storage area. Solutions with a concentration of 50% or more are flammable. Alcohol in vapor is flammable even at 40% concentration.

At what temperature should alcohol be stored?

High temperatures are dangerous for both vodka and medical alcohol. They accelerate oxidation processes. Therefore, a cool place is better for storage. A solution with a concentration of 90% or more can be stored at temperatures below 0°C. It will not freeze (but additives may crystallize).

Thus, ethanol and its solutions can be stored in a cool place, protected from light and dampness, in glass or steel containers. So the shelf life will reach 5 years or more.