Can you keep Kalkwasser in plastic?

Ernie C · Jun 17, 2019

I’ve had a few plastic storage containers crack over time when using them to hold kalk. Have been using glass containers for a while but wanted something larger and was trying out an old 5 gallon water jug for kalk dosing and had it crack and leak as well. Not sure if it was just old or the kalk had something to do with it.

lapin · Jun 17, 2019

Depends on what that old plastic jug is made from. Some are chemically resistant and will not absorb the chemical. Others will melt depending on the chemical.
https://www.calpaclab.com/chemical-compatibility-charts/

Ernie C · Jun 17, 2019

Looks like the plastics I was using aren’t good for the high ph. Anyone know what I can use instead? I was reading the brute trash bins were ok to use. Anyone using these?

Ernie C · Jun 17, 2019

Are containers made of Polyethylene safe for kalk?

George81 · Jun 17, 2019

You can get 5 or 6 gallon carboys that are all glass and a bung to seal it. Check your local wine or home brew shops. Up here in Canada a 6 gallon glass carboy is 33$. Probably much cheaper in the USA.
You can check northern brewer.

I’m using an old salt bucket. So far no issues. But it’s only been a month or so

Ernie C · Jun 17, 2019

I wonder what type of plastic those 5 gallon buckets are made of. I was also looking at carboys on amazon from northern. They are like $40 shipped. But worried about the weight and moving it around and filling etc. Hoping someone chimes in about polyethylene plastic. I’ve read a few people using dog food bins and the brute cans. Just wondering the plastic that’s safe. I know the clear polycarbonate cracks from experience.

nereefpat · Jun 18, 2019

My 6 gallon Oceanic Salt bucket has held up to limewater for at least a couple years.

Ernie C · Jun 18, 2019

nereefpat said:
My 6 gallon Oceanic Salt bucket has held up to limewater for at least a couple years.

Any idea what type of plastic its made of?

nereefpat · Jun 18, 2019

Ernie Crucet said:
Any idea what type of plastic its made of?

I'll see if I can find one of those recycle triangles with a # on it when I go home for lunch.

rkpetersen · Jun 18, 2019

Most kalkwasser reactors are made from plastic, mostly acrylic with other components.
I've been using one for 2 years and it's fine.
So acrylic at least is ok for longterm saturated kalk storage.

I don't know for a fact that polyethylene is ok for kalk, but it is one of the most stable plastics.
It has the simplest molecular structure of all plastics, with or without cross-linking, and is highly resistant to solvents in general.

Ernie C · Jun 24, 2019

lapin said:
Depends on what that old plastic jug is made from. Some are chemically resistant and will not absorb the chemical. Others will melt depending on the chemical.
https://www.calpaclab.com/chemical-compatibility-charts/

Based on this info I went ahead with some polyethylene (HDPE) 5 gallon jugs for brewing I got on amazon. So far so good. Thanks.

nereefpat · Jun 25, 2019

Ernie Crucet said:
Based on this info I went ahead with some polyethylene (HDPE) 5 gallon jugs for brewing I got on amazon. So far so good. Thanks.

Bah! Sorry, I forgot to look. My bucket is #5 plastic (polypropylene). I don't remember exactly when I started kalk, but I'm thinking about 2-3 years ago.

Ross Petersen · Mar 11, 2021

Reviving an old thread here... I'm using a vittles food grade storage container to dose kalkwasser via an ATO. Is anyone else doing this? According to the Vittles website, the container is made of food grade HDPE which the table included on this thread suggests is safe with bases like kalkwasser/Ca(OH)2.

Would like to confirm with the smart folks out there though!

Ernie C · Mar 11, 2021

Ross Petersen said:
Reviving an old thread here... I'm using a vittles food grade storage container to dose kalkwasser via an ATO. Is anyone else doing this? According to the Vittles website, the container is made of food grade HDPE which the table included on this thread suggests is safe with bases like kalkwasser/Ca(OH)2.

Would like to confirm with the smart folks out there though!

I've been using HDPE 5 gallon jugs i got from amazon for kalk for over a year with no issues.