The Rainbarrel Man - Our Plain Drums

The Confusion Between Food Grade and Food Safe Plastic Barrels.

Part of the confusion is that both types of drums are made from high density polyethylene (HDPE), a material that is designated as "food safe" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Food safe means that HDPE can come in contact with food and water and be safe for you to consume those products. Food safe HDPE is OK for a variety of uses such as cutting boards for food preparation, playground equipment, barrels for rain water collection, and yes, even for chemical containers. The versatility of polyethylene has made it one of the world's most popular plastics.

Food grade plastic, on the other hand, is deemed acceptable for the use of long term food packaging such as emergency preparedness supplies and does not contain any dyes or harmful chemicals that would leach into the food and water. The white dye used in white barrels and buckets is Titanium Dioxide, used in sunscreen, and many foods as well, because of how safe it is. Also if it does not say "Food Grade" on the container, or in manufacturer statements, it is not food grade!

All recycled barrels offered by The Rainbarrel Man Company are designated food safe by the FDA as are their previous contents, namely DMSO. The exterior of all our barrels has been pressure washed to remove stickers and labels, etc., and the interior has been steam cleaned for complete sterilization.

Lever Valve
Ball Valve

Standard Drum
Screw Valve

Recycled Barrels

Holds 60 gallons
Made of HDPE (high density polyethylene)
Rugged and corrosion resistant
Closed head drum with 2" bungs
Colors: blue & black
34 3/4 H x 23 1/4 W

We use both ball valve and screw valve brass spigots on our recycled plastic barrels. The ball valve is lever controlled, has a stronger flow, and is easier to open and close. The screw valve has a wheel handle, medium flow, and takes longer to open and close.

$70 Lever controlled ball valve
$60 Conventional screw type valve
$30 Without spigot valve

We mount the ball valve spigot using a bulk head fitting and the screw valve spigot is compressed on using a specialized insertion tool and pipe nut inside the drum.

Special Note: Barrels with the Ball Valve Spigot should be drained with the spigot left open in preparation for a cold snap.

Bung Wrench
$15

Use this Bung Wrench to unscrew or tighten 3/4" and 2" bung caps on most plastic barrels. You can also use the other end to shut off your gas line if needed.

Shipping information

Bung Wrench

Watersaver Diverter

Rainbarrel Stand

Add a WaterSaver Diverter to connect to a downspout, or a Debris Screen and Overflow if you want to use a rain chain.

Debris Screen

12.25 in. OD x 11.25 in. ID
Screen $15

Overflow Hose

12 ft. x 1 1/2 in. Dia.
Overflow $25

To elevate your barrel for easier use and to add pressure to your system, use one of our rain barrel stands. Prices start at $50.

NOTE: Drums are not included at this price.

No gutters or downspouts to capture the rain?
No problem!
Get the RainSaucer!

$60 Single
(PVC extension - extra)

Includes:

Saucer

Fasteners

Adapter

Filter

Retention Ring

Applications:

Disaster Preparedness

Urban Farming

Green Roofs

Gutter Alternative

Aquaponics

Sustainable Gardening

Livestock Watering