Among the many water storage barrels I have, one is a used barrel that had conveyor lube in it. I believe this substance must be food grade as it is used on food production conveyor belts. Does anyone if this is water soluble? If not, would it be better suited for fuel storage? Thanks to all of you for your input.

-- Jean Olson (nspctrjn@pacbell.net), December 13, 1999

Answers

There are many chemicals that are approved for use in food production facilities. This does not mean they are intended for human consumption.

If you have a barrel that had a machinery lube in it, don't store drinking water in it. Barrels are too inexpensive to risk this type of contamination.

As mentioned many times on this site, there are drum recyclers in just about every major city where you can get true food grade drums very inexpensively. The barrels that held soft drink syrup are my favorite.

Good luck.

-- Tryn to Help (beenthere@donethat.com), December 13, 1999.

I worked in an apple packing factory were they
sprayed the apples with this chemical that came
in 55 gallon drums. It was a wax coating to stop
mold growing at the base of the stem. The barrel
had a skull and crossbones on it. The women who
sorted the apples all day had to wear plastic
gloves because they would get infections on their
hands without them. You think the grease on the
conveyor belt would be non-toxic? I don't think so!

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), December 13, 1999.

I would not make any assumptions about the safety of that barrel. Even well scrubbed I'd save that one for toilet and clothes washing water.

.......Alan.

The Prudent Food Storage FAQ, v3.5

http://www.providenceco-op.com

-- A.T. Hagan (athagan@sprintmail.com), December 13, 1999.