Water storage - food grade barrel?

rwsoos

New member
It is necessary to buy a food grade barrel for water storage (salt and ro/di) or can I use regular garbage can from Lowes or HD?
Thanks.
 
Garbage can. Clean it out with a mild acid bath (vinegar/water) and then rinse with a mild bleach solution. Let dry and you'll have just as sterile of a container as any food grade. You'll notice that there are only about 5 types of plastic that are commonly used, the difference between food and commercial is manufacturing and post-process cleaning.
 
I dont think that one is food grade. The food grade ones are sold at food service supply places. The grey one will work I have used one for years for water changes.
 
Just get some Brute cans from Home Depot or Lowes. Just make sure it has a number 2 stamped on the bottom. The 2 represents that it can be used for food. I also think #1 is also used for food.
 
If it is just for RO/DI water storage I got recycled food grade barrels from a local farm supply store for $15.00. Many farm supply places stock them. They ussually have 50, 30, and 15 gal. Comes with threaded ends, etc.
 
IMO if you want a dedicated water storage container go with one made for storing water, not one made for storing trash. Trash cans will work, but they are not designed to hold water and can fail. I know there are a ton of people using them who have never had any problems, but I'm a little paranoid about the possibility of having 30 some gallons on my floor. A 45gal vertical water tank from tank-depot is listed for $59.85. Here is the link . Thats really not that much more expensive and it is made to hold water. Like I said this is just my opinion so take it for what its worth. :rollface:

PS: I use the linked water tank as an ro/di storage tank and it works great. I have a different one for mixing salt water. Both of them came with bulk heads pre-installed. One trip to Lowes for some pvc and a ball valve and they were ready to go.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9316081#post9316081 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anthworks
I dont think that one is food grade. The food grade ones are sold at food service supply places. The grey one will work I have used one for years for water changes.

If you look at the bottom of the Brute trash cans they are food grade. The rating is labeled as such.

One needs to be careful in using the non-Brute trash cans as they most certainly were not meant to hold water or huge loads of stuff. If you ever visit construction sites or city constuction projects they will use Brute trash cans - they hold up the abuse and then some.

The non-Brute trash cans have a tendency to bow considerably so moving them around can be difficult.
 
If you are really worried, purchase a storage container from a beer making place. Might cost you a few dollars more than a trash can, but they are food grade.
 
Brute's are food grade without a doubt, I work in a large kitchen and they are used for flour, bread crumbs etc.....The regional health inspector doesn't have a problem with them !
They are NOT easy to move when full but will work fine. We have a 55 that is full of flour and is over 4 years old. It doesn't bow or bend. Damn thing weighs over 400lbs full.
 
Avoid the cheap brown one with wheels from Lowe's. I thought it seemed like a good idea, but the thing leaked at the wheel axle (fixed w/ silicone), bows so that the wheels can't turn anyway, and tends to leave a brown scum on the surface of the water regardless how often or well I clean the thing.

I'm working on setting up a couple of used soda syrup barrels instead.
 
Yeah, but the best part of them is the rolling dolly you purchase so it rolls around.

Yup ! The dolly cost as much or more than the actual can :)
BUT, you'll only have to buy it once... I think the dolly is rated up to 800 lbs
 
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