Polypropylene primary?

[acorn]

Yesterday I came across a 34 gallon polypropylene storage container at a household supply store. It is not labeled "food grade" per se, but I know some of you are or have at one point used trash cans/buckets as primary fermentation vessels. It isn't PVC, so I don't expect it to leach stuff into wine. I really like its shape, dimensions, and the capacity rating, so I was wondering if I might use it as my primary fermentor, after cleaning, scrubbing and sanitizing, of course. Would you advise for or against it, and why?

Thanks a lot.

 

[cpfan]

If it's not food safe don't use it. Heck, I will ONLY use primaries that are designed for that purpose.

Steve

 

[sour_grapes]

By the way, the trash cans many people use are indeed food-safe.

 

[acorn]

By the way, the trash cans many people use are indeed food-safe.

Thanks. This might seem a silly question, but is there any particular food-grade trash can/container brand you would recommend? I need space, and round fermenters/buckets are not the most efficient in this regard, geometrically speaking, particularly in tight places. I need something square or rectangular.

 

[ibglowin]

Trust in Brute!

Sorry, not square or rectangular but they do stack well inside each other when not in use!

 

[acorn]

I suppose you are talking about this sort of bucket. There is some home wine makers' feedback in the comments, which sounds reassuring.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberma...rash-Can-FG262000WHT/100662697#specifications

Speaking of rectangular shape, I found this:

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/rub...te-20-gallon-nsf-tote-with-lid/6909S31WH.html

However, it doesn't actually say these are made from food-grade materials (well, if labeling it as polyethylene in itself should be sufficient, then okay).

 

[sour_grapes]

I suppose you are talking about this sort of bucket. There is some home wine makers' feedback in the comments, which sounds reassuring.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberma...rash-Can-FG262000WHT/100662697#specifications

Speaking of rectangular shape, I found this:

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/rub...te-20-gallon-nsf-tote-with-lid/6909S31WH.html

However, it doesn't actually say these are made from food-grade materials (well, if labeling it as polyethylene in itself should be sufficient, then okay).

The thing you are looking for is "NSF Listed" (or "Certified" or "Approved"). Ideally, it should explicitly state that it meets "NSF Standard 2."

See:http://www.nsf.org/services/by-type/standards-publications/food-equipment-standards/
and
http://www.nsf.org/newsroom_pdf/NSF_2-2012_-_watermarked.pdf

The square tote you linked to says "NSF" but does not explicitly say "Standard 2." I would be shocked, however, if that is not what they meant.

 

[ibglowin]

I have 8 of the White 20G Brute's and I also have 2 of the White 20G Rectangular Brutes that I use for Crushing/Destemming.

They are both food grade and both work great for me.

I suppose you are talking about this sort of bucket. There is some home wine makers' feedback in the comments, which sounds reassuring.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberma...rash-Can-FG262000WHT/100662697#specifications

Speaking of rectangular shape, I found this:

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/rub...te-20-gallon-nsf-tote-with-lid/6909S31WH.html

However, it doesn't actually say these are made from food-grade materials (well, if labeling it as polyethylene in itself should be sufficient, then okay).

 

[acorn]

The thing you are looking for is "NSF Listed" (or "Certified" or "Approved"). Ideally, it should explicitly state that it meets "NSF Standard 2."

See:http://www.nsf.org/services/by-type/standards-publications/food-equipment-standards/
and
http://www.nsf.org/newsroom_pdf/NSF_2-2012_-_watermarked.pdf

The square tote you linked to says "NSF" but does not explicitly say "Standard 2." I would be shocked, however, if that is not what they meant.

Thanks, it makes more sense now. Indeed, the rectangular container that I linked is not only NSF approved, but is also listed under the category "Food Storage and Transport", so I agree that it would be surprising if it isn't meant to be used for food handling. Well, I guess, it might just make it my dream primary then.

 

[ibglowin]

Just my $0.02 here. The rectangular Brute would not be my dream Primary. Its short and squatty shape means if your not real careful when punching down your going to get a big splash up and out every time.

Also the shape makes it harder to stir things into the must as well as your going to be hitting a corner every second or two again causing splashing upward and out.

Well, I guess, it might just make it my dream primary then.