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Where do you guys store your hydration bladders when not in use. What with them being wet and all.
I have used the bottom salad drawer of fridge or the freezer - the latter if empty.
Same, use only water in them and stick it in the freezer, stops them getting mouldy. They defrost in seconds.
freezer
empty and bung in the freezer, kills any bacteria. never had any issues.
Freezer
In the bag, with the water still in it, for maximum mould
Salad drawer
Keefmac - freezing doesn't kill bacteria. They just lie dormant. Only way to kill bacteria is heat
Freezer once washed.
Freezer, and yes it won't kill bacteria, just stops it growing while frozen. That's why freezing food that's been left about in the warm isn't safe (rice is a classic example).
But fresh water in the bladder, rinsed out, shove in freezer, is going to be less harmful than leaving a damp bladder sitting around in the warm.
If it's been sitting around for a while, sterilise with some milton tablets first, rinse, then freezer after rides from then on. Occasionally give it a proper clean, especially wire brush down the tube where gunk tends to grow.
Freezer.
Geezer
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freezing doesn't kill bacteria. They just lie dormant. Only way to kill bacteria is heat
In the Oven, at 220c
Freezer...... but it’s started to tast a bit foody recently 😕
Freezer when I remember, otherwise the garage.
I only ever fill it with water.
Freezer here too. "a friend" recommends not using the microwave to defost any water left in the tube though. Turns out they have a veeeeeeeery low melting point... like I say, a friend told me.
In the Oven, at 220c
Or for a [s]more[/s] subtler effect, a baby bottle steam sterilizer.
Just left in the garage with the remains of the water from the ride.
Top up before next ride then repeat.
<raises hand> pick me, pick me!
My decade-long habit is to rinse, let the worst of the drips drain out, then jam a rolled up newspaper in the opening. The newspaper keeps the bladder open to air and wicks the remaining drips when they collect at the base.
I've been using the same rolled up newspaper for many years! Buggered if I know where I'll find another when it wears out.
Or for a subtler effect, a baby bottle steam sterilizer.
Just to be clear: when I say 'for a subtler effect', I mean: 'for a subtler [i]melting[/i] effect'.
thanks, just read up on that. mines only used for water
ah, leads of sweet drinks in mine. Hence the need for washing out.
Seems to never dry the tube though.
Mine is also just used for water and usually kept on the kitchen floor or the boot of my car depending on which is coldest.
orthwind - MemberIn the bag, with the water still in it, for maximum mould
This! Mine has been in the garage still in the bag for maybe a year! If I use it again I will sterslise it first
Just use flavoured electrolyte tablets/juice to hide the mould taste.
Kitchen floor/car.
Top up water (maybe). If it's over 3 months old I *might* bother to change it.
My ‘Source’ bladders are wide enough to dry with a towel.
Take the tube and valve off, spin tube around to drive out water, put on radiator. It dries completely.
Works for me.
Just be wary, frozen tubes are brittle, as I found out.
Ice cube tray for me.