That’s a pretty common experience with the black irrigation pipe hack. It’s clever, but yeah, that plasticky taste and smell can be a dealbreaker, especially if you’re hoping for a halfway decent shower. I’ve seen folks try to “season” the pipes by running hot water through them a bunch of times, but honestly, it never really goes away completely. Did you ever try wrapping the pipe in something to cut down on the smell, or was it just too much hassle?
Switching to a solar shower bag makes sense. Those things are surprisingly tough, and you don’t have to worry about leaks at every joint. I do wonder, though—did you notice any issues with the bag getting punctured or wearing out over time? I’ve had one last for a couple seasons, but eventually the seams started to go. Still, way less maintenance than cobbling together a bunch of pipe and fittings.
Sometimes the DIY route is fun for the challenge, but yeah... not always worth it when you just want a hot rinse after a long day.
Yeah, I tried the black pipe thing once—never could get rid of that weird taste, even after flushing it out a bunch. The solar shower bags are way less hassle in my experience. Had one spring a tiny leak at the seam after a year, but a bit of duct tape kept it going for another season. Honestly, for the price and simplicity, I’ll take replacing a bag every couple years over dealing with all those pipe fittings and the plasticky smell. If you’re careful not to drag them over rocks or sharp stuff, they hold up pretty well.
Honestly, I’m not sold on those solar shower bags for anything long-term. They’re cheap and easy, sure, but I’ve seen too many give out right when you need them. Duct tape helps in a pinch, but once the seams start going, it’s usually just a matter of time before they’re done for good.
The black pipe setups do have that weird taste, especially if you use the wrong kind of pipe or fittings—some plastics just aren’t meant for potable water, and that flavor never really goes away. If you go that route, stick to food-grade materials, but even then, it’s more work than most folks want for a camp shower.
If you’re just after something simple for a couple seasons, the bags make sense. Just don’t expect them to last forever or survive much rough handling. For more permanent setups, I’d look into a small tank with a decent hose and a dark cover—less taste issues, and you can fix leaks properly if they happen. But yeah, nothing’s perfect... just depends how much hassle you’re willing to put up with.
I hear you on the solar shower bags—they’re basically the duct tape of camp showers: good for a quick fix, but not something you want to rely on for the long haul. I’ve patched more than a few with everything from epoxy to zip ties, but once those seams start weeping, it’s usually game over. The plastic gets brittle after a season or two in the sun, no matter how careful you are.
The black pipe rigs are clever, but yeah, that “mystery flavor” is real if you don’t use food-safe stuff. I’ve seen folks try to flush it out with vinegar or baking soda, but it never really goes away. If you’re going DIY, I’d say stick with a small RV water tank (they’re made for potable water), wrap it in black tarp or paint it with grill-safe paint, and plumb in a garden sprayer head. It’s not as portable as a bag, but at least you can actually repair it if something cracks.
Honestly, nothing’s truly maintenance-free. Just comes down to whether you want to spend your time fixing leaks or dealing with weird-tasting water... or both.
Turning Sunlight Into Hot Showers: Best Kits Or Hacks?
You nailed it about the solar shower bags—they’re basically disposable after a couple seasons, no matter how gentle you are. I’ve tried to baby mine, storing it out of the sun and rolling it up carefully, but the plastic just doesn’t last. It’s frustrating, especially when you’re trying to avoid waste and plastic junk in the first place.
I get the appeal of those black pipe setups, but I can’t get past the idea of drinking (or even showering in) water that’s been marinating in mystery chemicals. Even if you use “safe” PVC or whatever, there’s always that plasticky taste. I’ve read some folks swear by using old beer kegs or stainless steel tanks painted black—definitely pricier and heavier, but at least you’re not leaching who-knows-what into your water. Plus, they last forever if you take care of them.
The RV tank hack is clever, though I wonder about the environmental impact of buying new plastic tanks just for showers. If you can find one secondhand or repurpose something food-grade, that feels a bit better to me. I’ve also seen people use those big glass carboys (like for homebrewing), though they’re obviously not as rugged for camping.
Honestly, I wish there were more options made from recycled materials or at least designed to be repairable. The throwaway culture around camping gear drives me nuts—why isn’t there a market for modular solar shower kits where you can swap out parts instead of tossing the whole thing? Maybe it’s just not profitable enough.
At the end of the day, I’d rather deal with a slightly heavier setup if it means less waste and fewer weird chemicals in my water. Convenience is nice, but not if it means replacing gear every year or two. Anyone else feel like we’re overdue for a truly eco-friendly solar shower solution?