Food grade pickle barrels

[jhawk]

I have an opportunity to get some 35 and 55 gal food grade barrels with removable tops. They had pickles in them before. They have been cleaned but still have a pickle vinegar smell to them. I thought they would make great primary fermenters. Anybody thoughts if there would be any issues on taste or to removal of the odor. Thanks

 

[the_rayway]

I would advise against it. If they were fermented pickles, or used certain types of vinegar - all of your wine will get infected with the Mother of Vinegar bacteria. Then you will have large amounts of wine vinegar

 

[jhawk]

Is there a way to clean these barrels, so they can be used?

 

[Rocky]

jhawk, I am with Ray on this one. There may be some products that could clean out most of the vinegar smell but I would never have the confidence that I had removed every vinegar molecule and that would put my wine at risk.

 

[Boatboy24]

Better safe than sorry in this case, I'm afraid.