Does $25 sound good...

[rwc1969]

for a "at one point in time" food safe 55 gallon drum?

These supposedly contained soda pop concentrate and have been washed out with water only.

I want one to store sap and am not sure how to tell if it's safe other than taking the seller's word for it.

[nell67]

Around here we can get those for about $5-$10 each,the drum should be marked on the outside with what it originally contained,although unless you are buying them from the factory that used the original contents,you are pretty much at the mercy of the sellers word about what all the drum has contained since it left the factory.

[Rick]

I'm with Nell. I wouldn't take someone else's word a weapon was loaded and I wouldn't take their word the barrel was clean. Did he buy direct from the factory that used it or were there middle men in between (rhetorical question)?

[crashdive123]

I'm with Nell and Rick regarding what was in it. As far as he price goes - I haven't been able to find a better one around here, so price wise I think it's a good deal.

[sthrnstrong]

+ Nell, Rick, and Crash

[rwc1969]

I don't know if he bought direct from the place that sold them, I could ask, but then I'd still just be taking his word for it. He claims they were used once to deliver pop/ juice concentrate and that once used they are no longer considered food safe by the governing authority, can't be re-used by industry and must be recycled or disposed of. His ad actually specifies their use for maple sap collection among other things. I told him what I intended to use it for and he said someone in the thumb area of the state recently bought a bunch for their commercial op. I don't know if he's a distributor or what, but the barrels are clean and white and have no label on them.

Also, he has some smaller barrels and he lets everyone know up front that they have a cherry odor that can't be eliminated, so that gives me the impression he's fairly honest??

[rwc1969]

Also, they are labeled HDPE with a #2 in the triangle on the bottom of the barrel.

[Winnie]

That's just the recycle info, RWC. I'm with the others, I'd be much happier buying direct from the firm that used them.

[jc1234]

55 gallon drums are sold for $10.00 locally here, but there is no mention of them being safe or unsafe for food. We primarily use them for burning though. If you want a lid its an additional $5.00. I dont know if that helps.

[rwc1969]

I've found others for 5-15 bucks, but they were used for car wash detergent, power washer solvent, etc.

This is the only one I've found that says they were used in the beverage industry and only contaned water soluable pop/ juice concentrate.

I wouldn't know how to get them from the source. Getting 55 gallon drums turns out to be quite easy, getting ones that are safe for food???

I think this guy is legit, but would like to know if there was a way I could confirm his claims.

[ClayPick]

We have some bag liners that are from US Plastics, it's a good way to get rid of any doubts.

[crashdive123]

Ah. That's a good thought.

[ClayPick]

Here's a link
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23606&catid=455

[canid]

depending on who's word was in question, i wouldn't necessarily trust that the barrel had never contained toxic materials, but with that said i've seen more than a few mystery barrels with no claim to safety go for that price, and more than a few food grade barrels go for more.

so who's word are you thinking of taking? somebody accountable?

at least if it stored a known toxic substance the beauty of chemistry tells us whether it could be made safe and how so.

[rwc1969]

That's a great suggestion ClayPick, thanks. That would allow me to buy whatever old barrel.

[LowKey]

As long as the plastic liner doesn't rupture.

[oldtrap59]

I used to get foodsafe barrels from a local bakery. Couldn't buy them right at the bakery but was able to get them at their day old outlet. Might try a place like that if you have one locally. You might also find that the barrel is some cheaper buying it with no middleman.

Oldtrap