+pingurus Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I've already found 950+ Geocaches and can't remember being one of them out of glass. Also, someone said that they didn't like that one of my containers was out of glass. I'm can't think of why these seem to be disliked. Can someone tell me why? Quote Link to comment
+L0ne.R Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I've already found 950+ Geocaches and can't remember being one of them out of glass. Also, someone said that they didn't like that one of my containers was out of glass. I'm can't think of why these seem to be disliked. Can someone tell me why? Glass shards. Quote Link to comment
+Manville Possum Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I've already found 950+ Geocaches and can't remember being one of them out of glass. Also, someone said that they didn't like that one of my containers was out of glass. I'm can't think of why these seem to be disliked. Can someone tell me why? Because they can break, and someone may get cut. When they get broken they make a mess. Quote Link to comment
Blue Square Thing Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 And they can cause fires. And damage to fauna. Quote Link to comment
RuideAlmeida Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 In hot or even moderate weather areas, they may trigger fires when under sun rays. I have seen few totally melted, burning only some dry grass around, luckly. Quote Link to comment
+pingurus Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 Okay, thanks! Quote Link to comment
+J Grouchy Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 In hot or even moderate weather areas, they may trigger fires when under sun rays. I have seen few totally melted, burning only some dry grass around, luckly. Never heard THAT particular argument against them. Dangerous, broken shards are quite enough reason for me. Quote Link to comment
+cerberus1 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I've already found 950+ Geocaches and can't remember being one of them out of glass. That's a good thing. Fortunate glass containers stopped here years ago. Most we found still in one piece had a little ecosystem project growing inside. Quote Link to comment
+wmpastor Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Another issue - and this ties in with the "ecosystem" in the jar issue - is that it's difficult to find a glass container with a waterproof lid. A screw-on lid is probably not really waterproof. Quote Link to comment
+dprovan Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) This thread has given us a good idea of why they're disliked. I've found several glass containers, though, and I've never run into one that was broken or causing any other problem due to being glass. And they were all tucked away somewhere where the sun's rays couldn't get to them to start fires. (Frankly, I think the fire argument goes in the opposite way: in the extraordinary case where a glass container caused a fire, that would make a really great log!) But I have to say, whether they were planted a month or 10 years before I found them, I'm always amazed they haven't been broken yet. But that means I'd never complain, since it's the owner that's going to have to react if someone breaks it. Another issue - and this ties in with the "ecosystem" in the jar issue - is that it's difficult to find a glass container with a waterproof lid. A screw-on lid is probably not really waterproof. Yep, I have to admit that the inability to keep them dry is a much more significant problem than broken glass or starting fires. Just last week I found a glass container with one of those airtight clamps on top with a heavy duty gasket in good condition. It was soaking wet inside. None of that stuff that keeps a glass container sealed in the pantry helps a bit out in the real world. Edited April 27, 2017 by dprovan Quote Link to comment
+pingurus Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Well, this cache has been out there for nearly two years and didn't need any maintenance, whilst every other cache I've placed needed maintenance for either a wet logbook or because it was broken (except for the nanos which where gone) Also, I wonder how anyone would accidentally break it where it is. Quote Link to comment
+hzoi Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Well, this cache has been out there for nearly two years and didn't need any maintenance, whilst every other cache I've placed needed maintenance for either a wet logbook or because it was broken (except for the nanos which where gone) Also, I wonder how anyone would accidentally break it where it is. Which of your caches is it? (Also, I am far from graceful, so it is wise never to underestimate my ability to break ANYTHING.) Quote Link to comment
+Manville Possum Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Also, I wonder how anyone would accidentally break it where it is. Remember the little children are geocachers too. Accidents happen, some are preventable. Quote Link to comment
+L0ne.R Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Why not use a good quality plastic container? Try an authentic Lock & Lock. I have had great results with authentic Lock&Locks (not knock-offs, never dollar store varieties). They usually last 5 years without any trouble. EUR10,70 for 4-100ml round palm-size containers on amazon.de. Quote Link to comment
+Furrhan Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 (Frankly, I think the fire argument goes in the opposite way: in the extraordinary case where a glass container caused a fire, that would make a really great log!) [...]Yep, I have to admit that the inability to keep them dry is a much more significant problem than broken glass or starting fires. I would disagree. Sure for an individual cacher a soggy log is a bummer. But overall, in the grand scheme of things I'd prefer that to a devastating forest fire, especially one that threatens entire communities. In a similar vein to glass containers though, I have seen some containers in local shops that are made of pottery that have a cork glued to a bit of wood for the lid. I think they're airtight, or at least watertight, but I haven't tested them in the field. Have any of you guys come across anything like that? I'd be curious to know how they performed. And I think pottery is less likely to shatter dangerously than glass is too. Quote Link to comment
+hzoi Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 (edited) In a similar vein to glass containers though, I have seen some containers in local shops that are made of pottery that have a cork glued to a bit of wood for the lid. I think they're airtight, or at least watertight, but I haven't tested them in the field. Have any of you guys come across anything like that? I'd be curious to know how they performed. And I think pottery is less likely to shatter dangerously than glass is too. Cork, like other bark, tends to rot when exposed to the elements; it might not hold up well. Wine bottles keep a seal by keeping the cork wet on the inside -- wine stored on its side does well, wine stored vertically tends to dry out the corks and ruin the wine -- and by keeping that wet cork immersed, it doesn't allow it to rot like it would if it was exposed to oxygen. Here you'd be trying to do the opposite, keep the insides dry and sealed against a wet exterior, but corks don't keep a seal that way. Edited April 27, 2017 by hzoi Quote Link to comment
+Joe_L Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 I've come across a few caches that used 60-ml VOA glass vials. These are bottles made for liquid environmental samples, and they have a thick polymer seal inside the cap. This seal keeps water from leaking out and air from leaking in. Effective, but there are cheaper alternatives. And I think they are only available by the case. Joe Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Here is a live example that I'm monitoring in my review territory. Finder and owner hold different opinions about glass containers, and probably won't sit at the same picnic table during the next local event cache. Glass containers shatter friendships! Quote Link to comment
+Furrhan Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Cork, like other bark, tends to rot when exposed to the elements; it might not hold up well. Wine bottles keep a seal by keeping the cork wet on the inside -- wine stored on its side does well, wine stored vertically tends to dry out the corks and ruin the wine -- and by keeping that wet cork immersed, it doesn't allow it to rot like it would if it was exposed to oxygen. Here you'd be trying to do the opposite, keep the insides dry and sealed against a wet exterior, but corks don't keep a seal that way. Good point! I shall think of something different for my cache then. I already have the location sussed. Just need to get some swag and a creative container. ^^ Quote Link to comment
+J Grouchy Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 The only appropriate response to the CO's message: Quote Link to comment
+SeattleWayne Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Plastic leaks bad things into the environment. Quote Link to comment
+hzoi Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Plastic leaks bad things into the environment. Please elaborate. What's the specific environmental impact of putting, say, a PET preform on the ground for ten years? Quote Link to comment
+Harry Dolphin Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 (edited) I've already found 950+ Geocaches and can't remember being one of them out of glass. Also, someone said that they didn't like that one of my containers was out of glass. I'm can't think of why these seem to be disliked. Can someone tell me why? Recently, I found a Mason Jar cache that had been out two years. Top is starting to rust. In 2004, I found a cache with Mason Jars. It had been out a year. One was leaking. Shortly thereafter, they broke, and had to be replaced. I hope the CO cleaned up the broken glass. Water inside and a winter freeze is not good for glass containers. Edited May 11, 2017 by Harry Dolphin Quote Link to comment
+NYPaddleCacher Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Plastic leaks bad things into the environment. I just saw an article about a plastic container that had previously been used for food. A black bear found it and got it's head stick in it. There were several reports of the "bucket head bear" with the first coming 3 weeks before it was state wildlife officers found it and the plastic bucket was removed. According to the article: “The ‘bucket’ turned out to be a clear container used to hold bulk pretzels or cheese puffs,” the DEC said. ‘Bucket Head’ Bear Saved After Walking Around With Jug On Its Head For Weeks Quote Link to comment
+VegasScotty Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Recently, I found a Mason Jar cache that had been out two years. Top is starting to rust. In 2004, I found a cache with Mason Jars. It had been out a year. One was leaking. Shortly thereafter, they broke, and had to be replaced. I hope the CO cleaned up the broken glass. Water inside and a winter freeze is not good for glass containers. ummm.. yeah. Just like all those shattered plastic caches that COs always run right out and clean up. Quote Link to comment
+RufusClupea Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 On 4/26/2017 at 6:18 PM, dprovan said: (Frankly, I think the fire argument goes in the opposite way: in the extraordinary case where a glass container caused a fire, that would make a really great log!) Yossarian, you're a very weird person. Quote Link to comment
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