Hello everyone!
Long time reader, first time poster here on Northern Brewer. Awesome forum by the way.
My question is this:
I want to do a few large batches batches of cider next year, and would like to use this style tank for them.
http://www.ntotank.com/220330gatota.html
I’ve found a few used ones coming through my local auction house this week. A couple of them the listing just says the size and that they are food grade plastic. A couple other ones say the same thing, and then also say that they were used prior to store water based glue. The pics of the ones with this description also show glue residue (think Elmers from our childhood) around the drain nozzle.
What would be the best way to clean something like this, or should I just steer clear and bite the bullet for something new next fall come harvest time?
Personally, I would bite the bullet and buy a new one. You may never know the chemicals that were put in used ones. They may also be a pain to clean. If you go new you know exactly what was in it. Just my two cents.
That was pretty much my wife’s exact thoughts. I was trying to be cheap about it, but she kindly reminded me that 150 bushels of apples would be a shame to waste on a fouled container.
Yep. Take consolation that you are not the first to have these thoughts. How much does a new tote go for anyway?
[quote=“wrmahaff”]Hello everyone!
Long time reader, first time poster here on Northern Brewer. Awesome forum by the way.
My question is this:
I want to do a few large batches batches of cider next year, and would like to use this style tank for them.
http://www.ntotank.com/220330gatota.html
I’ve found a few used ones coming through my local auction house this week. A couple of them the listing just says the size and that they are food grade plastic. A couple other ones say the same thing, and then also say that they were used prior to store water based glue. The pics of the ones with this description also show glue residue (think Elmers from our childhood) around the drain nozzle.
What would be the best way to clean something like this, or should I just steer clear and bite the bullet for something new next fall come harvest time?[/quote]
I would totally steer clear. That glue will smell like a dead horse, as in this case “water-based” probably means animal-based glue. If true, it’s reportedly incredibly foul, and I think you would have no luck whatsoever getting rid of the smell. Maybe good for a rain barrel for your lawn & garden, but definitely nothing potable.
just over a buck a gallon capacity. a bargain
We sell our used totes for $45 per, but to audited recyclers only. They usually come with something innocuous like slurry in them (99% water with some ammonia and silica), so triple-rinsed they’re just fine for making beer. I bet you can find something similar if you shop around.
We sell our totes for $80 each. They were used to contain water hardeners and mild acid fountain solutions.
If you are looking to buy new I recommend checking out Flextanks.
I don’t know what they paid for them, a wine producer uses these that they purchased from the ethanol plants.
Like mentioned, look around for something that is not toxic and didn’t leave a foul odor behind.
Update:
I ended up buying one through an auction site for $30, figured worst case I use the thing as a rain barrel to water my garden. I was all smiles when I started to read the stickers on the side of the thing. It was from General Mills and formerly held Maltose Syrup 
It will likely end up a rain barrel, but I was still pretty happy about the buy in the event that I decide to do a big batch next year.
