Cedar Eater
03-04-2017, 02:56 PM
I know a guy who knows a guy...
I can get used Greif 30 gallon open-head blow-molded drums that I believe can be made safe for sap collection with simple washing. These are HDPE and have the "2 in a triangle" recycle symbol embossed in them. I have been using them for sap and I have detected no reasons for not continuing to use them. They have lids and metal clamp rings to hold the lids on. http://www.greif.com/products--services/rigid-industrial-packaging/plastic-drums/large-open-head
15864
These drums were new until they were first used for shipment of new high purity powderized plastic (chlorinated polyolefin). The Material Safety Data Sheet for the contents indicates that it is non-toxic when ingested, but of course, you would want to wash the drums to your satisfaction before using them. My washing process starts with spray rinsing the inside with clean water to get the majority of the powder out. Then I lightly scrub the inside with a soft brush and two cups of white vinegar straight from the bottle. I also scrub the inside of the lid at this time and I make sure to clean well around the rim of the barrel. Then I rinse with water, and add 1/2 cup of baking soda while filling the barrel completely with water. I let that mixture soak for 24 hours. After a final rinse with water, I let them air dry for a day with the lid off. This revised washing process helps the empty barrels pass my wife's smell test and she is a fussy one. The syrup that I have made with them has no noticeable taste or odor from the container or its previous contents. Try one and if you aren't satisfied, use it as a trash barrel or try it again with one of these FDA approved liners http://www.thecarycompany.com/containers/drums/accessories/liners?capacity=1440 that you can purchase separately. The drums are available while supplies last for $10 ea. Send me a PM for a copy of the MSDS and further details.
I can get used Greif 30 gallon open-head blow-molded drums that I believe can be made safe for sap collection with simple washing. These are HDPE and have the "2 in a triangle" recycle symbol embossed in them. I have been using them for sap and I have detected no reasons for not continuing to use them. They have lids and metal clamp rings to hold the lids on. http://www.greif.com/products--services/rigid-industrial-packaging/plastic-drums/large-open-head
15864
These drums were new until they were first used for shipment of new high purity powderized plastic (chlorinated polyolefin). The Material Safety Data Sheet for the contents indicates that it is non-toxic when ingested, but of course, you would want to wash the drums to your satisfaction before using them. My washing process starts with spray rinsing the inside with clean water to get the majority of the powder out. Then I lightly scrub the inside with a soft brush and two cups of white vinegar straight from the bottle. I also scrub the inside of the lid at this time and I make sure to clean well around the rim of the barrel. Then I rinse with water, and add 1/2 cup of baking soda while filling the barrel completely with water. I let that mixture soak for 24 hours. After a final rinse with water, I let them air dry for a day with the lid off. This revised washing process helps the empty barrels pass my wife's smell test and she is a fussy one. The syrup that I have made with them has no noticeable taste or odor from the container or its previous contents. Try one and if you aren't satisfied, use it as a trash barrel or try it again with one of these FDA approved liners http://www.thecarycompany.com/containers/drums/accessories/liners?capacity=1440 that you can purchase separately. The drums are available while supplies last for $10 ea. Send me a PM for a copy of the MSDS and further details.