IBC Water Tank Question

[gardening_gal]

Someone is selling used IBC Tanks, these used to contain a 'water based antifreeze but the tanks are cleaned before being offered for sale'.

I know tanks that have had food bsed products in them previously are better but does that mean the above is a no-no for use in a veg garden?

Be glad of advice/opinions.

[Snoop Puss]

Personally, I wouldn't buy them, but if you were interested, you could ask for more information about what the antifreeze additive actually was and hope they're telling you the truth. This is from Wikipedia on antifreeze:

"The most common water-based antifreeze solutions used in electronics cooling are mixtures of water and either ethylene glycol (EGW) or propylene glycol (PGW). The use of ethylene glycol has a longer history, especially in the automotive industry. However, EGW solutions formulated for the automotive industry often have silicate based rust inhibitors that can coat and/or clog heat exchanger surfaces. Ethylene glycol is listed as a toxic chemical requiring care in handling and disposal.

Ethylene glycol has desirable thermal properties, including a high boiling point, low freezing point, stability over a wide range of temperatures, and high specific heat and thermal conductivity. It also has a low viscosity and, therefore, reduced pumping requirements. Although EGW has more desirable physical properties than PGW, the latter coolant is used in applications where toxicity might be a concern. PGW is generally recognized as safe for use in food or food processing applications, and can also be used in enclosed spaces."

[Snadger]

As long as they are flushed out twice they should be ok. From memory,pesticide application only requires two rinsing's of knapsack sprayers to render them safe to use.

[Can the Man]

I would give them 3 or 4 flushes and the should be ok, don’t forget the scandal years ago when the wine industry was turned on its head when it was discovered some wine companies were adding prop glycol as a sweeter to their wines

[Logunner]

Ask how they are cleaned, usually steamed in food industry before being flushed (sealed for reuse).

I’d be happy to use the antifreeze IBC if it’s been steamed and flushed, even better if you can get an adblue one.

[gardening_gal]

Thank you all. I'll email for more info but tbh I suspect their version of 'cleaned' may well be rinsed out with a hose. Perhaps I'm being unfair though. I'll let you know what happens.

[gardening_gal]

Response to my query about EGW/PGW was 'not sure which, flushed out with hose'.

Really not sure whether to risk it or not. They dont often come up locally to me and the ones further afield often quote huge delivery charges. I'm not desperate though, I just thought it would be good to include in my 'start again' plans.

[broadway]

Hello GG

Would it be delivered to the plot or house first?

[gardening_gal]

Hello GG

Would it be delivered to the plot or house first?

House. It would be staying in the back garden and replacing several small water butts I have presently.

[broadway]

Ok for piece of mind couldn't you hammer it a few times with a jet wash?

[gardening_gal]

I do have a pressure washer so that wouldn't be a problem, I just don't know if that would be enough? I don't know enough about toxins to know how much of an issue if any there would be.

Although that said, someone did comment about how it couldn't be any worse than eating commercial veg with some of the pesticides they use these days.

[broadway]

Ok well good luck whatever decision you take