Problem with stinky Cambro NSF food grade plastic pails.

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 893

I bought some new Cambro NSF plastic food pails and lids to store bulk food in. I washed them and aired them for 3 months and they still stink of chemicals when closed up, even if it is overnight. These are US made name brand commercial quality pails, not Chinese stuff.

I have some old Carlisle NSF pails and no stink whatever. Don't want to fool with mylar liners, as I am in them to pull product out a lot, but may have to if the stink never goes away.

smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 6278

That doesn't sound good. Probably make the food taste funky. Can you return them?
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biofuel13

I have heard that you can rid buckets of that type of smell by pouring hot coffee in it, swishing it around in the bucket for a few minutes and then dumping. Rinse and dry the bucket and that's supposed to do it. Haven't tried this yet personally so I can't vouch for it. Sounds like an inexpensive thing to try. Good luck

pup55 · Expert Joined: May 26, 2004 Posts: 3801

NSF/food grade containers are not supposed to contain any recycled plastic or anything other than food grade materials in the actual formulation, but it is possible that the mold release they used when molding the part is molded is giving it the odor.

Here is a food-grade mold release for plastics:

Grainger

the MSDS says it is soluble in dimethyl ether or heptane. The ether is available at the auto parts stores under the label "starting fluid". Heptane may be more difficult to come by. You can try putting some of this on a cloth, and wiping out the inside. Do not breathe the vapors or smoke around this stuff, unless you want a surprise.

I don't think any amount of coffee will help you. Water will also not help you if it is silicone or PTFE based mold release.

Note: All of that stuff will kill you, you may be better off trying to send the buckets back.

Don't ask me how I know all this stuff.

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1313

try rinsing with 1 part vinegar, 3 parts water.
if the seller has more new pails, check their odor
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try

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allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 893

Thanks for ALL the replies.

Already tough world we have here. Can't even squirrel away our food in peace.