I got to talking with a couple of guys on a survivalist forum and I was trying to get some information about water filtration. I had mentioned that I was going to use a 'Homer bucket for some bulk filtration.' I was quickly informed that the standard 5 gal buckets from box hardware stores aren't food safe. I didn't think much of it, but I'm curious to know how many of us use these orange or blue buckets from the hardware store for brewing. I've been using mine for grain. Not a big deal until I wash them out at the end of brew day with runoff from the immersion chiller. Any thoughts to allay concerns, or should I switch over to the #1 or #2 food grade buckets for grains?
This was something I looked into before I started brewing. I wish I had links to paste. But it seems that the homer buckets are made exactly the same as the the white "food grade" buckets. The difference is the dyes that are used. And there was some debate over weather the dyes would make a difference. If it was long term storage (of liquids), there was more concern. If it is short term, it's no worries. If you put food inside a mylar bag, then sealed it up in the bucket, that would be fine as well.
I just bought one at Lowes (for mixing paint) that was labeled "food grade, BPA free"...it was white...and a little pricey at ~ $5.00
I think my LHBS is selling 6.5 gallon bucket fermenters for like $12, so that seems reasonable to me. I really want to step up to the 7.9 gal, but they are $17. I'll need to wear my smaller ones out first.
Well...I just broke one of my 7.9 gal ones. I was in a hurry and using a metal opener thingy-ma-bob on the lid. It was cold and brittle I think...fade to TAPS playing in background : (
I have several of the Homer (or Lowes version) buckets. I do not use them for hot water, just storage, of both equipment and grains and for sanitizing. The only buckets I've used for hot is my bottlings bucket which I used as a makeshift mash tun until I could build my cooler out.
I use Homer Buckets to elevate my mash tun. They aren't food safe according to the manufacturer, so they don't touch my beer, grain or sanitizer. Why risk it when the second cheapest bucket only costs $2.50 more and is considered food safe?
It seems to me that a previous thread similar to this one raised the issue that some buckets that are purchased at places other than a homebrew source did not have a good seal in the lid, thus not a good choice for a fermentor even if it is food grade plastic. Just throwing out a note of caution for anyone who might consider going for the bargain brands. Just take a good look in the lid to see if there is a gasket.
Is storing sanitizer in them really an issue? Seems like it would be fine as long as it's still within its desired ph range.
HDPE is typically considered food safe. there are a few things that can make it not food safe though. the color of the bucket. black and red are considered danger colors, so even though they are the same material they don't get the FDA blessing. no idea about orange. the seller may not maintain sanitary conditions. i doubt Home Depot pays much attention to how the buckets are stored or transported, so if they sit in a dank warehouse then yeah, they aren't clean and not food safe. and they don't clean them prior to sale. buyer beware. want to limit liability? say that the buckets are not food safe. voila. the cheap-o 5 gallon buckets from HD and Lowes are lightweight anyway and not very strong. they really don't have much use in my brewery. usplastics.com is a very good resource for both product and info. Cheers.
I never thought that the lids could get much harder to remove. I'll buy two of the hooks if I make this move. Thanks for the heads-up and sorry for your loss.
