How to Use Whiskey Barrels

Several years ago, I purchased two half whiskey barrels.  The cost was $15 a piece.  Some places charge more.  Old whiskey barrels can be put to a lot of good uses.  This article will give you some great ideas, on how to put used whiskey barrels to work for you.

You can get them either in their original size or sawed in half.  Both can be put to good use.  Let's look first at how to use a full barrel.

FULL BARRELS

1.  Rain water barrel.  Place a spickit in the bottom of the barrel.   Cut a hole in the top and run your roof down spout into it.  Place a filter at the top of the down spout by the gutter.  You want to keep out foreign debris.  You might also want to place a small spill hole in the top 1/4 of the barrel.  You can then use this water for your outdoor use.  It works great for watering your garden.  Your spicket should be one that a hose can be attached to.  Before use, make sure that your barrel is leak proof.

2.  Table bases.  You can use a full barrel as a table base.  You can use one, two or three as stands for a table top.  Simply place your top boards across the top of them and strategically locate the table where you want it.

3.  Ice Chest.  Cut out a center section of the barrel.  Place hinges on one side and add a handle.  You now have an ice chest.  Put a drainage hole or two in the bottom of the barrel and you are good to go.  Some doors might need a hook to keep the door closed.

4.  Flower stand or just for show.  Place the barrel in the corner of your deck.  Place a flower pot on top.  They also look great just for show.

HALF BARRELS

1.  Half barrels are great as planters.  Place some plastic in the bottom of your barrel.  Fill it 2/3 of the way with soil.  Make sure the planting soil is great for flowers.  Put in your favorite plants. Put in some drainage holes towards the bottom.

2.  Turn it on it's side and bury it about 1/3 deep.  Have the open end face the direction that you want it to be viewed.  Place some planting soil in it and then plant flowers inside the barrel and then outward.  This gives the impression, that the barrel has fell over and outflowed with flowers.

3.  Mail box stand.  Place heavy duty plastic on the inside of your barrel.  Place your barrel where you want to locate your rural mail box.  Mix your concrete and let it start to set up inside your barrel.  Before it hardens, place your mail box post inside the concrete.  Usually, the concrete will hole your post as it is poured into your barrel.  Attach your box and you are good to go.

4.  Coffee Table base for your deck.  If you want to add a small coffee table for your deck, just add a piece of outdoor treated particle board to the top of the barrel.  This will add to a rustic appearance on your deck.

These are eight simple ways to put a whiskey barrel to good use.  I have seen them painted to add color to them.  However, I have always liked their normal appearance.

Note;  The images of barrels provided by rainbarrelsandmore.com

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