Alpack Plastic Buckets ?

[Greg2013]

Are the buckets below thermo safe for converting to a hlt or boiler ?



http://www.alpack.ie/VC105__30_Litre_Bucket/Default.710.html

[Tom]

It says it's food safe, but you'd have to buy it and see what it says in the little triangle at the base of the moulding to be sure. For €8 all in though, you might as well get it and if it doesn't work as a boiler it will always store your grain or be a fermenter.

Ciderhead's the plastic expert here, it seems.

[Greg2013]

Yep might just do that, i need a pile of swing tops anyway,one brew desperately awaiting bottling.

[imark]

CH may correct me on this...but I think he posted previously that the white or coloured buckets aint no good for boiling in. You need the clear buckets for that purpose.

[Greg2013]

CH may correct me on this...but I think he posted previously that the white or coloured buckets aint no good for boiling in. You need the clear buckets for that purpose.

I actually thought it was the other way around ? 

[Damofto]

It says it's food safe, but you'd have to buy it and see what it says in the little triangle at the base of the moulding to be sure.

the little triangle on them says "5PP" whatever that means?

[Greg2013]

Looks like its ok to use as a boiler,thanks Damofto


http://www.babygreenthumb.com/p-122-safe-plastic-numbers-guide.aspx

[imark]

Looks like its ok to use as a boiler,thanks Damofto


http://www.babygreenthumb.com/p-122-safe-plastic-numbers-guide.aspx

That wouldn't be my reading of the description Greg. I'm pretty sure this question was raised previously on the forum though so a search may yield useful information in that regard.

[pob]

I use a few of these as my FVs.

Whereas they would be food grade at room temps, I think they may not be rigid enough to use as a boiler, especially if they soften when heated up to boiling temps.

It's my opinion only, I haven't tested them with heat but their sidewalls are quite thin compared to some of the buckets that the Homebrew shops sell.

[Greg2013]

Looks like its ok to use as a boiler,thanks Damofto


http://www.babygreenthumb.com/p-122-safe-plastic-numbers-guide.aspx

That wouldn't be my reading of the description Greg. I'm pretty sure this question was raised previously on the forum though so a search may yield useful information in that regard.

Found the old post eventually and wouldn't you know it was one of mine

Anyway CH said on there that translucent ones with PP on the bottom were the ones to use for HLT or Kettle. However POB makes a valid point and one that i also noticed in that old post,those translucent buckets get awful soft under high heat.Now i know the opaque white ones from the HB shops are way thicker and i believe they are also PP but does the fact that they are opaque make any difference to whether they are safe to use as a kettle for boiling wort ?

[HomeBrewWest]

CiderHead, where are you when we need you!

Pm him, he really is the expert!

I'm posting only to point out that the translucent ones from Hambelton Bard are in fact the thickest ones we have seen, the white ones are thinner. I'm basing this on their weight, I haven't actually measured the wall thickness. All plastics will soften somewhat at 100 oC; of the affordable ones PP (5) is the best (CH ?), and the lids will no longer seal under even a little pressure.

But of all the ones we have, I'd say that the translucent ones from HB are the best for boiling stuff in. Having said that though, I'd be concerned about the element connection . .. . if overtightened on cold plastic,  it may then fail on hot soft plastic. It why we can't get involved, I'd be afraid that it could fail and 30 litres of boiling wort would come out to play! And that could be the end of HBW!

[Garry]

I think CH might be getting some rest for tomorrow's competition? I'm sure this has been addressed before though? I have a few a those 30l alpack buckets and would have no bother converting one to a hlt or boiler once you don't over load it.

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

be good to know a definite answer on this for sure

[Greg2013]

I should point out i already have one of the translucent types converted but am not happy with how soft it gets during the boil tbh, especially around the tap area. I would prefer something that does not deform as much under 100c heat, and before someone says it that does not include stainless steel.

[Greg2013]

I think CH might be getting some rest for tomorrow's competition? I'm sure this has been addressed before though? I have a few a those 30l alpack buckets and would have no bother converting one to a hlt or boiler once you don't over load it.

It has been covered before Garry in that old post, however i have used  my translucent one a few times since then as a hlt and have found it gets a little too soft for my liking under boiling temps, i thought there might be a safe plastic that would not deform as much under heat is all ?