Classic, blue plastic barrels are a common sight in warehouses, supermarkets and storage areas across the world, but one of their key uses is in commercial kitchens. Food safe plastic barrels are excellent for storing and transporting ingredients, sauces and other food items safely.
What are Food Safe Plastic Barrels?
Plastic barrels, also known as plastic drums, are one of the most common forms of industrial storage. They have a wide range of uses and offer a number of benefits when it comes to long-term storage and transportation of industrial quantities of goods.
Most plastic drums are coloured blue and produced from HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), a durable form of plastic that can be easily moulded while lasting for many years and is a food-grade plastic.
All of our plastic barrels are food safe, meaning they can be used confidently in kitchens or for food transportation.
Typically in industrial or commercial kitchens, you will find two types of food grade plastic barrels:
- Open Top Plastic Drums Open top plastic drums have a secure lid that can be safely removed and replaced from the top of the barrel. The removable lid allows the plastic drum to be filled and emptied with ease for transport or storage.
- Tight Head Plastic Drums Tight head plastic drums are completely sealed at the top in contrast to open top plastic drums. They’re emptied or filled through small nozzles or taps, which can be removed or sealed.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of barrel. Tight head barrels offer extra protection and are more securely sealed than open top barrels. In the food industry, tight head barrels are usually used to transport and store liquids, whereas open top barrels are employed to transport and store semi-solids, powders, and other similar foodstuffs.
How are Plastic Barrels Used in the Food Industry?
Within the food industry, food grade plastic barrels are used in a number of areas, for both storage and transport purposes.
They’re cost-efficient, durable and long-lasting, making them a useful investment for businesses that need to store and transport large quantities of food and drink supplies. Larger containers have plastic handles to make them easier to lift, while all plastic drums are reusable, so they’re a great option for businesses concerned about the environment or cost per use.
Here are the most common ways food-grade plastic barrels are used:
- To store and transport large quantities of liquids. This includes industrial quantities of cooking oil and drinks.
- To store and transport large quantities of semi-solid food. This includes industrial quantities of condiments or sauces, such as ketchup or mayonnaise.
- To store and transport large quantities of powdered food, such as cooking spices or powdered milk.
Drum Liners for Food Safe Plastic Barrels
While food grade blue plastic barrels are safe for you to store food and drink directly inside the drum, you can reduce the chances of contamination by using drum liners. Plastic drums are often re-used. If you are unsure whether they have been sufficiently cleaned and decontaminated from previous use with other materials, then a drum liner will give you that peace of mind.
Drum liners allow you to store your product without it touching the sides of the barrel, to keep things super safe and secure.
CONTACT ITP PACKAGING TODAY
ITP Packaging offers a wide range of food grade plastic barrels that can confidently be used for long-term storage or transportation of a huge range of foodstuffs, ingredients and liquids. Â
We offer the classic blue plastic barrel, with either a closed tight head or an open top. Both can be purchased in bulk, in a range of capacities.
Contact ITP Packaging and speak with our expert team to find out how we can meet all your industrial packaging needs for the food industry..
