Coarse Threaded Main Valve	3/4'' High Flow Ball Valve	Tote Cap With Filter

A Food-Grade IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) tote offers several benefits over traditional storage and transport methods. Food grade totes are specifically designed for the safe storage and transport of food, ensuring that the product remains safe for consumption and body absorption. Safe for bathing, cooking, drinking, water storage and certainly for watering edible fruits and vegetables.

A 275 Gallon Food Grade IBC Tote (plastic bottle within a metal cage) is the ideal solution for a rainwater harvesting, collection, storage, or liquid storage or transfer system. A 275 gallon tote will store and provide 5 or 6 times the volume of water than a standard 50 gallon rain barrel and costs less than one rain barrel. A 275 Gallon IBC Tote measures about 46"H x 40"W x 48"L, weighs about 2,200 pounds full, weighs about 120 pounds empty, and can be easily moved around by one person when empty.

Every tote we stock and sell are food grade, very clean, and as close to brand new as you can find in our area. Do not be fooled by other listings claiming "Food Grade"! A lot of those listings are totes that had industrial cleaners and chemicals that permeate the plastic and can never be used for potable water purposes. This residue of toxic material will leach into the storage water especially when placed in direct sunlight. Therefore, it can end up in your garden and into your fruits and vegetables. Or even worse, into your drinking water. We have been using and selling food grade barrels and totes for many years and have learned from our mistakes including most food grade tote listings claim they are food grade when they might not be or can not be verified. And for other very used totes, just because water may have been stored in them does not make them food grade. Buyer beware.

If you want the best for your family, plants, or project long term, buy a like new food grade tote and you will not be sorry or disappointed and your tote will have a resale value in the future.

You might need a few tote accessories like a cap lid filter, garden hose adapter, 3/4" faucet with shut-off lever, overflow fitting, or uv protective cover. And, a rainwater collection or harvesting system or way to move water to supply water to your tote. Try to place your tote in a shaded area with a dark uv cover whenever possible to help avoid algae build up.

• Remember to vent your tote(s) as the tote bottle will collapse with suction and no open vent or overflow connection to draw in air. Most tote caps already include a vent and should be open when in use.

• Try to place your tote(s) in the shade whenever possible. Like the north side of a building or under a roofed area or under an other shaded area. Out of direct sunlight whenever possible to prevent algae growth and the tote plastic bottle from premature aging. And a black uv cover or tarp is always a good idea.

• An empty tote should be somewhat anchored to a base to prevent strong winds from moving the tote off the base or disconnect your water pipes and spouting from the tote when strong winds are expected.

You Might Need An IBC Tote Base

The tote base should be 40" wide and 48" long. The height of the base matters in natural gravity psi and comfortability or preference to access the water faucet without constant bending. The tote placed on the edge of a raised porch can work as well. We have built two types of tote bases that work very nicely:

• BLOCKS: Several 6" x 8" x 16" concrete blocks stacked to desired height with three 2" x 6" x 48" pressure treated boards on top of the 3 rows of concrete block. Concrete blocks are fast and do not require any drilling, sawing, or deck screws, but are heavy to handle and can be more expensive than a wooden built frame depending on how high you need to go. One row for 8" height requires 9 concrete blocks, two rows for 16" requires 18, three rows for 24" requires 27 blocks and so on. Cost adds up quickly to about $50.


• WOOD: A pressure treated wood base with 4" x 6" x 24" legs and 2" x 6" frame (40" x 48"). One 4" x 6" x 8' pressure treated wooden post can be cut into four 2 foot legs. This option requires four 2" x 6" x 8" pressure treated boards and one 6" x 4" x 8" pressure treated post for a whopping total of about $50 plus screws $10.


• PALLETS: Well built pallets stacked to the desired height appear to work as well.

We have seen tote bases for sale on Amazon or you can place the tote on a raised porch or any raised surface or truck or trailer, all options will work just fine.

Safety and Placement are critical: totes must be placed on a level, load-bearing surface (such as concrete, compacted gravel, or strong wooden frame) because a full 275-gallon tote can weigh over 2,200 lbs. For long-term outdoor use, block sunlight by painting the tote, wrapping it in black plastic, or using a UV protective cover to prevent algae growth, and ensure the unit is secured if elevated or stacked.

The Food Grade IBC Totes We Stock Contain One Of The Following Oil Types:

• Food Grade Vegetable Glycerin is a clear, odorless, viscous liquid derived from plant oils such as coconut, palm, or soy. Vegetable Glycerin is also known as glycerol or glycerin and is widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals due to its humectant properties—drawing moisture into the skin—and its ability to act as a natural sweetener, moisturizer, and solvent.
• Food Grade Castor Oil is a thick, pale yellow to colorless vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, commonly known as the castor bean plant. Derived from palm fruit or palm kernels, it is primarily composed of ricinoleic acid, a unique monounsaturated fatty acid that makes up about 90% of its fatty acid content. Castor oil is used in a wide range of applications, like cosmetic and skincare to moisturize skin, support wound healing, and improve hair and eyelash health.
• Food Grade Coconut Oil (or coconut fat) is an edible oil derived from the meat of the coconut palm fruit. Coconut oil can be a white solid fat or a clear thin liquid oil. Unrefined varieties have a distinct coconut aroma. Coconut oil is used as a food oil, and in industrial applications for cosmetics and detergent production. The oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
• Food Grade Palm Glycerin is a high-purity, plant-based glycerin derived from palm oil that meets strict purity and safety standards for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Clear, viscous, odorless to slightly sweet, and completely miscible with water. Widely used in food and beverages (e.g., syrups, baked goods), pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, vaping liquids, and cleaning products. Palm-derived glycerin is often preferred in food applications for its neutral flavor and high purity, especially when compared to soy-derived alternatives. It is typically Non-GMO and Kosher certified.
• Food Grade MCT Oil 60/40 refers to a refined oil composed of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) with a specific fatty acid ratio: 60% caprylic acid (C8) and 40% capric acid (C10). Clear, odorless, and liquid at room temperature, with high stability and resistance to oxidation. Can be derived from coconut oil palm kernel oil. Used in smoothies, coffee, and supplements for a quick energy source, mental clarity, and support for ketosis. A popular non-comedogenic carrier oil in lotions, soaps, massage oils, and essential oil dilutions due to fast absorption and no residue.
• Food Grade Argan oil is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree, which is indigenous to Morocco and southwestern Algeria. In Morocco, argan oil is used to dip bread at breakfast or to drizzle on couscous or pasta and is increasing used in cosmetics and hair care preparations. The main cosmetics products containing argan oil are face creams, lip glosses, shampoos, moisturizers, and soaps. Food Grade Argan oil is composed of 99% triglycerides which are derived from specific fatty acids.
• Food Grade Almond Oil is a lightweight, non-greasy carrier oil extracted from the dried kernels of the almond tree, commonly used in skincare, soap making, and culinary applications. Almond Oil is characterized by its light yellow color, bland aroma, and high content of Vitamin A, E, and B, along with essential fatty acids like Oleic and Linoleic acid. Almond Oil iabsorbs easily into the skin without clogging pores, making it suitable for moisturizing, massage, and treating dry or damaged skin and hair.

The Food Grade IBC Totes We Stock Are Manufactured By:

• GNX totes manufactured by Time Technoplast are primarily constructed using a unique blow-molded HDPE container (bottle) surrounded by a steel cage (frame). GNX totes are a specially designed product line from Time Technoplast, which operates manufacturing units in nine countries and is recognized as a leading supplier of 1000L IBC systems. The inner container (bottle) is made from UV-stabilized HM-HDPE (High Melt High-Density Polyethylene), which provides chemical resistance and durability. The outer cage (frame) is a reinforced galvanized steel structure designed for strength and stacking performance. The pallet (base) can be made from plastic (PE) or composite steel. A plastic drip pan is used to prevent corrosion and rust formation.
• SCHUTZ totes are manufactured by SCHÜTZ, a German packaging company and is the largest producer of IBC totes in the United States. Schütz Container Systems operates 13 production locations across the United States, with additional sites in Mexico and Canada. Schütz totes are primarily constructed using a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) container (bottle) surrounded by a steel cage (frame). The tote is mounted on a 4-way entry galvanized mild steel perimeter pallet (or a full-plastic pallet) to facilitate forklift handling. The valves and caps are typically made from HDPE or polypropylene with EPDM, TPE, or silicone seals to ensure chemical resistance and leak-proof performance.
• PYRAMID Technoplast Pvt. Ltd. manufactures Pyramid totes, established in Gujarat, India, the company is a leading nationwide manufacturer and supplier of 1000 L Intermediate Bulk Containers. Pyramid produces various types of containers for industries such as chemicals, agriculture, and food storage. The inner container (bottle) is made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, which is lightweight, durable, and resistant to chemicals, impacts, and harsh environmental conditions. The outer cage (frame) is constructed from galvanized steel or mild steel to provide structural integrity, protection, and stacking capability. The valves and small parts are often made of polypropylene due to its strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance.
• MAUSER IBC totes are an industrial Bulk Container manufactured by Mauser Packaging Solutions, designed for the safe transport and storage of bulk liquids such as chemicals, food-grade products, and adhesives and are widely used in the chemical, food, and beverage industries. Mauser containers typically consist of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) inner bottle encased in a galvanized steel cage mounted on a steel pallet base.

Very Important About IBC Totes

A tote that is food grade should be labeled "Food Grade" or "USP" (United States Pharmacopeia) and the content should be lableled (NOP) National Organic Program indicating food grade. A tote that is not clearly labeled food grade and is missing a manufacturing date is most likely not food grade and is probably an older or used tote. Nobody selling a new food grade tote removes the manufacturing date and food certified labels.

To use an IBC Tote safely, you must first clean and sanitize the container thoroughly if it was previously used, scrubbing with a bleach solution or food-grade hydrogen peroxide before rinsing multiple times. "Food-Grade" totes are required for any application involving drinking water, animal feed, or food production, while cages from non-food-grade totes can be repurposed for dry storage or structures.

DO NOT risk poisoning someone or damaging your plants by purchasing a cheap low cost IBC tote which most likely contained hazardous chemicals or totes from an unknown source or totes which have had their original contents label removed or have been "reconditioned"! ONLY verified Food Grade IBC totes are BPA free and safe for showers, storing human or animal drinking water, and rainwater collection for edible fruits and vegetables, herbs and other plants.

WARNING: All totes are required by the FDA to provide a fixed label indicating manufacturer, date filled, grade, and shipping content. If you find a tote without a label, toxic liquid was likely stored in the container or the container is many years old or both. Not good for humans or pets and not good for plants. Not a good decision to purchase or use a tote without a food grade label for human, animal or plant consumption or purpose!