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Acquiring IBCs

I read a lot about using IBCs, that they were cheap (around $140), and that they were easy to obtain. The reality is not quite what I was led to believe. I am in NH. I had to go to IL to find IBCs. I was told that they are being phased out. Still, I was able to order two, with new tanks, for $239 each. That would not be so bad, but the shipping cost was an additional $418. The way things are going in this country, I expect the costs to escalate from this point on.

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Comment by John McCaw on October 25, 2013 at 1:10pm: Thomas;

Look at CRAIGS list...I believe that I saw IBC totes in NH or MA for UNDER $100 apiece at a cosmetic factory. I am in Maine. You can also get them from "Bob the Barrel Man" in Scarbough, Maine. He has several sizes

Comment by Jay on October 6, 2013 at 10:05am: Through Crag's list I purchased 5 IBCs for 18.00 each.

It took 50 hours to clean them from scraping water blasting and finally in a few spots using Gasoline to dissolve the Pavecure residual that was in it. Ihe guy that sold them said that it was water soluble NOT. but it had a environmental sticker on it.

No I would not do it again I would pay the 150.00 asking price for a used Food grade.

My buddy also bought 5 and after cleaning 2 cut up and through the rest away.

Comment by Justin Schaeffer on September 30, 2013 at 9:34pm: You need to find some places processing food grade oils. A place in Saskatoon gets crude canola, soya bean oil in and bleaches and deodorizes it. They'd rather sell the used IBCs than throw them out. I also get 55 gal drums that way as well.

Comment by Jim Fisk on September 17, 2013 at 8:44am: BTW I had meant to add always check on Craig's List. Also take a few hrs on a wk end and drive around your industrial parks and find barrel resellers (recyclers). I asked a local recycler and he said he used to have some but there was no market for them and he finally sent them to the dump. So I said I would pay 25.00 each if he would pick up some more and he not only got me mine but now can't keep them in stock at 45.00 each. He has made so much $ over my simple request that he still gives me any I want at 25.00 ea. for my own use. It pays to ask around. Make it a mission and MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT WAS IN THEM so you know if they are safe and how to clean them. I worry less about "food safe" than non toxic AND easy to clean. If I had paid the food safe prices I never would have gotten off the ground. A new food safe runs about 600.00 around here.

Comment by Jim Fisk on September 17, 2013 at 8:28am: I started out thinking they were hard to find and within 6 mos I was finding them everywhere. Most of mine cost 25.00 and had biodegradable veg based cutting oil. 330gal ended up to be the norm. At first I couldn't find anything but 275. What and how many took 50 hrs to clean??? This discussion should be moved to the IBC group pages IMHO. HERE