fermenting vessels

[sunshine1101]

did some searching on the site for this answer and didn't see what i needed. i am upgrading to a single 30 gallon fermenter and found a "food grade" barrel. i inquired about the composition of the barrel and they didnt have any info other than it was use to ship pharmaceuticals that were enclosed in bags in the containers. i asked and there are not stamps of labels on the barrels stating the composition. the barrel is blue with a snap ring lid. is there anyway to tell if this material will leach ?

[bellybuster]

you say it is food grade....

probably HDPE, there should be some searchable markings on the bottom.

edit... more than likely medium density poly ethylene.

[sunshine1101]

heres something off another similar barrel does this verify anything?

[acfixer69]

Yup they are both blue

AC

[ga flatwoods]

I can tell you one thing for sure and that is lose the lock ring and just put the lid on the barrel unlocked. I did that without thinking about it and it damn near knocked me out when the ring was loosened! LOL @ME!

[sunshine1101]

Even with an airlock ga flatwood? Where you at in ga? Im in the south east

[Cardinalbags]

Not 100% sure but looks like polypropylene. If it is I would have no concerns using as a fermenter vessel.

[sunshine1101]

Ive inquired about better pics of the bottom to try and verify

[ga flatwoods]

Use no airlock. Pm me sunshine.

[sunshine1101]

Guy said it is pp....... thanks for the info fellas

[bellybuster]

just for interest, did a bit of research on "Food Grade" and "Food Safe".

Food Grade is safe for long term storage of edibles and "should be clearly marked on the container by etching, moulding or engraving. If not the words "Food Grade" the material the bucket is made of must be labelled. I checked out my buckets that are sold as fermenters and they are labelled as HDPE. If you look that up it is indeed Food Grade. HDPE has the recycling symbol of 2

"Food Safe" is safe for short term contact with edibles and is not necessary to be labelled as such. I cannot find a definition of "short term"

The markings on the bottom of the above barrel can be looked up here http://www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/ ... entkey=743
As you can see it really doesn't tell you much at all.

There should be a recycling number on it inside a triangle. As said above HDPE is a 2. PP is a 5.

From what I can find, both HDPE and PP are indeed food grade.

I'm bored this morning, -25 and windy outside. Putting off clearing the driveway

[Jimbo]

I can tell you one thing for sure and that is lose the lock ring and just put the lid on the barrel unlocked. I did that without thinking about it and it damn near knocked me out when the ring was loosened! LOL @ME!

LOL, man youre full of storys about pressurized vessels Flatwoods!

[FreeMountainHermit]

Even with an airlock ga flatwood? Where you at in ga? Im in the south east

Ga.Flatwoods lives in the swamp with the critters.

FMH.

[ga flatwoods]

Nope FMH the Flatwoods are a little higher than the swamp!
Ga Flatwoods

[sunshine1101]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_codes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

this is helpful in translating the codes on the plastic containers.

[sunshine1101]

related to this thread... i am saving up stripping runs of ujssm and ran out of gallon glass jars. i have several polypropylene food grade buckets. i know polypropylene is safe for the low alcohol content of the mash but is it safe to store 110 proof liquor? if not what is common practice to collect stripping runs until you are ready to do a spirit run other than glass carboys....

[plaztikjezuz]

You could always line the container with a large food grade 5 mil or thicker plastic bag.

This also makes clean up a cinch...

Just don't rip the bag!

[bellybuster]

Glass or stainless is your best bet. Food grade does not mean alcohol grade.

[ga flatwoods]

Used stainless steel cornet kegs are your best friends.
GA Flatwoods

[Deezil]

plastic carboys ok? I have 3 for a water machine that Im not using for water.
Thanks

[Prairiepiss]

plastic carboys ok? I have 3 for a water machine that Im not using for water.
Thanks

For fermenting yes.

[ga flatwoods]

PP I used a plastic water carboy once to make wine in. Big mistake unless you like huffing pvc glue be ause it is sure what the wine tasted like. That in glass was fine. Never used another for fermenting or storage, toting water maybe.
GA Flatwoods

[Jimbo]

Flatwoods, what the hell is that avatar, looks like a bloody skull? Hopefully not a selfie after the last bender on Jackass Juice?

I think them clear water bottles are PVC, and the blue and white food safe fermenters we all use are PolyEthylene.

I know the online brewing supply houses are selling them for beer. But that might just be economics and infinitely easier shipping than them heavy fragile glass carboys

[Deezil]

ok, I have a couple glass carboys also, but was just asking for simplicity sake as I have more of the plastic ones. Thank you.

[blaze379]

I have used these for years. I have sizes ranging from 15 gal to 60 gal. Anyone else used these?

[bellybuster]

I've been looking at those for quite some time but what you can buy for $59-70 will cost me $150-200 here in Canada. Pisses me off.
Is that the Ace tanks?

[blaze379]

I actually found them local to me, so I don't pay much in the way of shipping..... still almost $200 for a 60 Gallon.

[acfixer69]

I have used these for years. I have sizes ranging from 15 gal to 60 gal. Anyone else used these?

Yes I have 2 - 30 gal the I set in 55 gal steel drums with access doors to operate valves and casters for mobility in the brew room.
@ BB mine are Ace but the price has gone up in the states. I looked to buy one more and was shocked at the current price.

AC

[bellybuster]

http://www.spraysmarter.com/ace-roto-mo ... allon.html

This is the one I'd like but it is over $200 in Canada. I have a buddy in NY that comes up for work in the spring, may get him to bring me one

[Cardinalbags]

I bought two of the 30 gallon HDPE barrels complete with locking lids from Uline. $89 CDN each plus shipping. I think it was landed at my door for $200 total for the two.