IBC tote without cage

[Birdland Sugarbush]

The tank I was using the past few years isn’t available and I’m looking at IBC totes.

Someone locally has them for $30 without the cage. How stable are they without the cage? Right now I’m using a barrel strapped onto a trailer pulled by my tractor. Round trip is less than a 1/4 mile.

Question 2 - he said the tote was filled with soap and it smells like soap. Is the standard hot water and scrubbing the best way to get rid of that smell?

Thanks,
Chris

[BAP]

I am not sure how stable it would be but someone on the Facebook Marketplace in Antrim has some for sale that are food grade and in cages for $85. Close to you.

[NhShaun]

I would not use one that contained soap. It was likely a concentrated version and you may never get the smell out.

[Twisted Minds]

They are very stable without the cage. The wire cage and base are mainly for support when transferring with forklift or other mechanical lift and stacking. I use one for transport and one for storage and never had any troubles.

[Russell Lampron]

I've never used one without the cage but have seen it done with success. That being said I would be more concerned that the tote had soap in it. It more than likely won't wash out completely and will transfer into your sap and then into your syrup.