What are the essential IBC accessories?

Intermediate bulk containers are excellent options for storage or shipping of a variety of materials, but you already know that. This guide is for those of you who have already acquired your IBC tote, and now you’re looking for the right tools and accessories to get the most out of your container. The IBC is excellent on its own, but you’ll also need the correct caps, wrenches, adapters, plugs, and mixers to really utilize your IBC in the most effective manner. Since there are so many different accessory options available on BASCO, we decided to write a helpful guide to assist you in getting the right product for the job.

IBC Caps

Let’s work from the top down – starting with IBC caps. If you’re working with a product with which you can’t risk contamination, like food or certain chemicals, we recommend purchasing a 6 inch IBC fill cap as well as a security seal, to prevent any unwanted access to the container. Your fill cap will have an FDA compliant gasket, along with two plugs for filling as well as forcing air into the container for better flow while dispensing. These two accessories alone have already stepped your IBC up to the next level, allowing for efficient dispensing, filling, and close monitoring of whether or not your IBC has been tampered with.

The IBC Wrench and Why You Should Have One

Next on the list, a proper wrench to allow for access to your container. BASCO’s own 6 inch fill cap wrench is the perfect tool for IBC caps, specifically designed for removing and replacing the fill caps on the top of IBCs. This is the tool that will save you time and effort, all the while remaining DOT compliant with closing requirements.

IBC Mixers

Moving on to the inner workings, let’s look at mixers. Now that you have proper access to your container, and a proper way to seal it, you need a way to really get in there and access the contents. If you’re storing certain liquids or chemicals long-term, you probably need to get in and mix/agitate them after they’ve been sitting for a while. For this, we recommend the Even Mix™ IBC tote mixer. This motorized mixer is the ideal gadget for those utilizing IBCs to store and mix paints, lacquers, or any other liquid that requires agitation.

IBC Pumps

Now that your product is mixed and ready for dispensing, you’ll need a pump that will allow you to efficiently move the liquid from the IBC into a different container. For smaller volumes of liquid, a manual pump is perfect for the job. Inserting an EZI ACTION IBC pump directly into the 6” fill cap is a quick and easy way to dispense product directly into a drum, pail, or bottle. For a more automated and less manual option, you could also try a pump system like this one. Automatic pump systems are excellent for transferring larger volumes of liquids.

Dispensing with the Right IBC Valve

As you can tell by glancing at the bottom of the IBC, there is also a dispensing hole that you can attach a valve to, allowing you to easily empty your product from the container. Depending on the material that you’re dispensing, as well as your own preference, a variety of different valves that can work. We recommend browsing our selection of valves, and choosing the right one for your purposes. All of the valves available will allow you to open and close the access to the dispensing hole, giving you complete control over the flow of product out of the container.

IBC Marking Plate

Is staying organized and tidy a priority of yours? Then you need a marking plate. If you have several IBCs in your workplace or warehouse that are all storing different materials, then it would be a wise choice to purchase a marking plate and properly label your containers. While they are self-explanatory in their usage, IBC marking plates are specially designed to work well with IBC totes. Each of these sturdy, plastic plates are equipped with clips that attach firmly to the IBC cage, making them ideal especially for these types of containers. Not only are these perfect for labeling in storage, but if you’re transporting your IBCs to a secondary location, these plates ensure that the shipper and receiver will know exactly what is stored inside, saving you the chance of someone else making a mistake that you could be held accountable for.

Heaters and Coolers

As our final IBC accessory recommendation, we would like to point your attention towards heaters and coolers. Certain products that are often contained inside of IBCs need to be temperature regulated. If you’re storing your products in a warehouse, you do have the option of regulating the temperature of the entire storage area, but it’s typically much, much cheaper to simply control the temperature of your containers instead. Take a look at our selection of heaters and coolers for IBCs and choose the correct one for your application.

Now you’ve got all of the necessary accessories for your IBC! Now what’s next?

Since you’ve acquired all of your necessary IBC accessories and tools, you’re perfectly prepared to handle any situation that may arise, and get the most out of your IBC tote. Do you have any further questions regarding your IBC tools? Reach out to our customer service team! BASCO is ready and available to help you utilize your tools, give us a call or an email by checking our contact page here!