RO/DI barrel

[Legal Reefer]

I picked up two 40 gallon food grade barrels that had been used for pickles. I pressure washed the inside really good but they still have a strong vinegar smell. I have them soaking in tap water now. Should I scrub them with baking soda or something? I would think the vinegar residue may not cause a problem, but I'm not sure what other additives may have been used in the pickles that could be a problem.

 

[FartyParty]

Its hard to say since pickle juice brine really only needs to contain water and salt, which is what would be ending up in your water eventually anyway. Traces of vinegar wouldnt necessarily introduce harmful organics, but traces from other optional ingredients in pickle brine like dill and spices might raise your TDS slightly. If i had that situation, i would scrub the surface hard with vodka (which is just ethanol and water) to hydrolize any organic matter and then make water and dump the first full tank, then use it normal going forward. whatever you choose, good luck!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Simple rinsing should be adequate, IMO, unless you see deposits in it.

 

[hubble]

Might make your tank smell like pickles

 

[Legal Reefer]

Thanks for the input....I have it soaking now. I'll scrub it and drink some vodka....or was that scrub it with vodka.... then rinse again and check tds on first batch. I don't feel or see any residue, but it does smell strongly of vinegar.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the input....I have it soaking now. I'll scrub it and drink some vodka....or was that scrub it with vodka.... then rinse again and check tds on first batch. I don't feel or see any residue, but it does smell strongly of vinegar.

The smell is OK. It doesn't take much to smell, will be fairly hard to remove except by waiting a long time as it diffuses out of the plastic, and acetic acid won't hurt anything at the amounts likely to leach out.

 

[Legal Reefer]

The smell is OK. It doesn't take much to smell, will be fairly hard to remove except by waiting a long time as it diffuses out of the plastic, and acetic acid won't hurt anything at the amounts likely to leach out.

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome

Happy Reefing.