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Posted: 8/12/2011 6:24:34 PM EST
I have been trying to find inexpensive food grade drums for quite some time.  I have finally located a source on Craigslist.  The seller claims that the drums are used food grade that have been washed inside and out.  I haven't had a chance to ask him what was previously stored in them.  The drums are sealed with two bung holes on top and white in color.  He is located about 90 miles away and will deliver them for $31.00.

My question besides the obvious prior contents is, how do I know if they are food grade?  I have done some research, and the only guide line that I could find is the recycling number indicates the type of material the drum is made of.

BTW, the price is $20.00 for each 55 gallon drum.
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 7:41:01 PM EST
[#1]
If you're not buying them new, you just don't know.

If they only have the 2" hole at the top with no way to remove the lid, then they were most likely "rinsed" as opposed to "cleaned".  And - despite what the seller tells you, you still don't truly know.

I wouldn't personally feel comfortable depending on them for clean water for my family.

It's an awfully big item to have laying around if you have questions about it's safety.
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 9:01:36 PM EST
[#2]



Quoted:


I have been trying to find inexpensive food grade drums for quite some time.  I have finally located a source on Craigslist.  The seller claims that the drums are used food grade that have been washed inside and out.  I haven't had a chance to ask him what was previously stored in them.  The drums are sealed with two bung holes on top and white in color.  He is located about 90 miles away and will deliver them for $31.00.



My question besides the obvious prior contents is, how do I know if they are food grade?  I have done some research, and the only guide line that I could find is the recycling number indicates the type of material the drum is made of.



BTW, the price is $20.00 for each 55 gallon drum.


The price is pretty good for cleaned barrels, particularly if you pay for your own water.



The recycling stamp won't help, but most of those barrels will have their contents labeled.  A smart seller will leave that label on the barrel.  Knowing what was originally in the barrel is really your only assurance.  Although, come to think of it, that still doesn't tell you categorically what was used to clean them.





 
Link Posted: 8/13/2011 12:21:11 AM EST
[#3]
I would pass on them, unless you absolutely know for positively sure that it held food. Some of them may have held chemicals. It doesn't pay to scrimp on a few bucks when the lives of you and your family is at stake.

I bought some used barrels and they held chutney in them, the label was still on when I bought them.
Link Posted: 8/13/2011 2:27:53 AM EST
[#4]
Quoted:
I wouldn't personally feel comfortable depending on them for clean water for my family.




Same here.
Even IF food grade you nver KNOW what else had been put in them at some point.
I got mine from a friend of a friend who worked at a soft drink bottling plant.

I rinsed them over and over and over, and years later, STILL a slight whiff of cola.
Link Posted: 8/13/2011 6:31:02 AM EST
[#5]
If it has bungs then it held a liquid like the cola mix mentioned above.



If the guy works at the plant then I could see somewhat trusting the barrels more than if he is getting them from someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone.



The label on the barrel is a good point.



To some extent I would almost have him bring em without rinsing them out.



The barrels I got had tomato paste in bags and the whole top came off, there was still some tomato paste around the top.



I put 15 or so gallons of water in them with some soap and rolled em around in a yard for a while, I was visiting a friend at the time so I used his yard and drove his girlfriend up the wall.



Letting them sit in the sun and agitating them now and then worked for me but I just needed to clean a tiny part of the drum compared to one that had liquid in it.



The price seems ok but I would tell him you question what has been in the barrels and you want to make sure they are safe for drinking water.
Link Posted: 8/13/2011 7:36:19 AM EST
[#6]
I personally would not buy the used 55 gal. barrels you see on CL for my water storage, although many people do. IMO, whatever you do to clean the barrel, there will be the chance that your water supply tastes like whatever was in the container first. Don't mess around, spend the extra money and buy new containers. The used 55 gal. barrels might be perfect for rain catch containers to water your garden, but not for your emergency drinking water. LCI (buylci dot com) sells 5 gallon heavy duty plastic containers that are easy to transport, search "plastic water can 600409" or you can buy "15 Gallon Blue Closed Top Plastic Drum" if you want something a bit bigger but still easy to transport.
Link Posted: 8/13/2011 8:03:22 AM EST
[#7]
as mentioned, try checking some of the bottling plants.
unfortunately, out Pepsi source stopped using them some time ago.

I got one from a honey distributor, and the rest from a small factory that makes salad dressing - vinegar
about 30 bucks a piece

try the Yellow Pages
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