[dumbsskull]

I've tried to store solvents in the garage before thinking the bottle is air tight but it isn't. Vapor pressure or something gets through the cap even if I wrap it with Teflon tape. The only solution I can come up with is to store them at a very low temperature.'

For example lets say I have pure toluene and diethyl ether. These are sure to leak vapor from my experience with them. If I placed them in an air tight container and then place that container in a fridge would that work?

I don't know much about vapor pressure but I think that at a certain temp the vapor stops building up. right?

Its also not good to store explosive solvents in the fridge because fumes could be ignited some how through motors starting up so that's why I thought about keeping them all together in a barrel or something.

[Arkcon]

Briefly, no, that's not a good idea.  Try to store flammable solvents in an outdoor shed with abundant ventilation.  That way, vapors released don't build-up, and there's little to lose in an accident.  This is similar to what's done in professional labs -- bulk solvents are stored in exterior sheds, or in ventilated all metal cupboards, or explosion proof refrigerators.  Also, we use up our solvents quickly, and don't try to store them for a long time.  You seem to not be doing that, and that is also unsafe.  If you have an experiment, craft, or task that needs these solvents -- do it, and get it over with.

[Arkcon]

I don't know much about vapor pressure but I think that at a certain temp the vapor stops building up. right?

Not until the condensation point, no.  So that's not something to count on.

[dumbsskull]

Ok that puts my mind at ease. I had planned to build an indoor storage container with ventilation to remove vapor through an activated carbon filter but couldn't remember it. Will keep it in mind not to store them to long because I am remembering something i read about solvents building up reactive compounds when stored for to long.

[Arkcon]

A vented indoor storage container, made of metal, sounds like a good useful project.  If you can pull it off.  Lose the activated carbon filter.  That doesn't make solvents go away -- it will just concentrate them within itself.

[Yggdrasil]

Will keep it in mind not to store them to long because I am remembering something i read about solvents building up reactive compounds when stored for to long.

Since you mentioned storing diethyl ether, here's some information on the potentially explosive ether peroxides that can form over time in bottles of ether:

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/chemistry/solvents/learning-center/peroxide-formation.html

[Borek]

I don't know much about vapor pressure but I think that at a certain temp the vapor stops building up. right?

Not at all. With the temperature going down vapor pressure goes down (so the speed of evaporation goes down), but it NEVER stops. Even after the liquid becomes a solid it still evaporates, and sometimes with a substantial speed (sublimation).

[dumbsskull]

I don't know much about vapor pressure but I think that at a certain temp the vapor stops building up. right?

Not at all. With the temperature going down vapor pressure goes down (so the speed of evaporation goes down), but it NEVER stops. Even after the liquid becomes a solid it still evaporates, and sometimes with a substantial speed (sublimation).

wow i have been thinking that if it was frozen there was no way it would evaporate. ive been storing dmso in my fridge without any noticeable problems. it is way better than storing it at room temp since i don't notice fumes anymore. 

[gapeev]

Get a used chest freezer. You'll pay just few $$ at a auction or yard sale. Sam's club sells large zip bags, few gal. each. Use one to seal a container inside.

[billnotgatez]

@dumbsskull

ive been storing dmso in my fridge

I hope you are not storing chemicals with your food.