barrel fermenter question

[buckwild1]

can barrels that contained sodium hypochlorite or sodium hydroxide be cleaned out well enough to be used for fermenting? I have seen some use them for watering troughs for their horses after a good washing. But im not sure if it will work.

[beelah]

If you are not sure it can be done, then don't use them...listen to your gut instinct on this one.

[Richard7]

Disposal
Material is regulated as a RCRA hazardous waste. Contact the Waste Management Group for specific disposal requirements and procedures. Containers and other materials that are contaminated must also be treated as hazardous waste.

I took the above from a msds on sodium hypochlorite. I would say stay away from it.

[buckwild1]

all we used to do with them was rinse them out and give them away. My thoughts are the hypochlorite could be. Its just a strong chlorine. maybe rinsing and airing it out would be fine. Was just hoping someone had tried these before, other than horse troughs
The hydroxide is a strong base. caustic soda. muriatic acid or was what we used to neutralize it with in water treatment. this is one im not sure if rinsing and neutralizing would be enough.

[Dnderhead]

sodium hydroxide can be used in ferments to rise the ph.
though not as good as potassium hydroxide because of the accumulation sodium.
rinse with lots of cool water.

[talon]

These are probably not food grade, find a recycle center that deals in food grade containers and buckets.

[SanDiegoShiner]

Just as an FYI, I buy brand new food grade barrels from McMaster Carr online. They show up the next day. They are cheap. 15 gallon $40. 30 gallon $60. Brand new.

They have a lot of useful supplies and parts also.

[buckwild1]

Just as an FYI, I buy brand new food grade barrels from McMaster Carr online. They show up the next day. They are cheap. 15 gallon $40. 30 gallon $60. Brand new.

They have a lot of useful supplies and parts also.

I must be using the wrong search terms for finding them at McMasters. got a link?

[SanDiegoShiner]

Here is the link. Is this we here you went.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/1703/=lkqive

[midnightmaraude]

question on the sugar content of fruit. Does the sugar from the fruit show up on the hydrometer?? Wtih my recent apple brandy I used 15lbs of apples through the juicer and about 10-11lbs of sugar in 6 gallons of water. the sg was 1.07.

[buckwild1]

yeah thats where i went, I was looking for something saying food grade. Or at least what they were made of other than just "Polyethylene Drums
All drums and covers are made of FDA-compliant resins"