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. These totes are specifically designed for the safe storage and transport of food, ensuring that the product remains safe for consumption. Safe for drinking water storage and for watering edible fruits and vegetables.

A 275 Gallon Food Grade IBC Tote 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 ( plastic bottle within a metal cage) measures about 46"H x 40"W x 48"L and weighs about 120 pounds empty and be easily moved around by one person.

You can find fairly good, old, used, food and non-food grade totes, but what you might get is short-lived totes with possibly environmental or leaking issues costing extra to repair and maintain or main shut-off valve issues. If you want the best for your family, plants or project long term with no issues, buy a new food grade tote for a few dollars more 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 garden hose adapter, overflow fitting, and 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. The tote cap includes 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 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.

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 food grade tote removes the food certified label.

Common Food Grade IBC Tote Content Descriptions

• 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. It is primarily composed of ricinoleic acid, a unique monounsaturated fatty acid that makes up about 90% of its fatty acid content. Castor oil has a long history of use, dating back to ancient Egypt, where it was used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Today, it 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 castor oil is safe for consumption when it meets strict purity standards such as USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or food-grade certifications, which ensure it is free from harmful contaminants like solvents, heavy metals, and processing residues.
• 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. Typically 99.7% minimum purity, with some sources specifying ranges like 99.78% to 99.82%. Commonly labeled as USP (United States Pharmacopeia) and Food Grade, indicating it is safe for consumption and meets regulatory standards. Derived from palm fruit or palm kernels, often from sustainable sources certified by RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). Clear, viscous, odorless to slightly sweet, and completely miscible with water. It acts as a humectant, solvent, sweetener, and texture modifier. 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 typ ically 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). This formulation is valued for its rapid absorption, lightweight texture, and non-greasy feel, making it ideal for both nutritional and cosmetic applications. Also known as caprylic/capric triglyceride (INCI name), with CAS number 73398-61-5. Clear, odorless, and liquid at room temperature, with high stability and resistance to oxidation. Can be derived from coconut oil (100% coconut variants available) or palm kernel oil (e.g., RSPO-certified or conventional palm-based versions). The source does not significantly affect functionality. 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. Acts as an emollient, viscosity regulator, and pigment dispersant in skincare and haircare products.

Very Important About IBC Totes

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!