Using used erlenmeyer flask for starter

[Jbrew]

So i bought a 1000ml used flask off ebay. Didnt read the description till long after the purchase and realized it says they can NOT be used for human or animal food processing.
I messaged the seller, they said they distribute second hand equipment from pharmaceutical companies and lab liquidations so they dont know where the flask came from or was used for and thats why the disclaimer.
It came today and the thing looks brand new.
I searched this on the forum and came up with a few threads but they were pretty split on whether to use it. Im sure I'm gonna have to just bite it buy another (new) flask but i wanted to see what the opinions were.
Thanks everyone for the advice

 

[HausBrauerei_Harvey]

I'd clean it with some really concentrated PBW, then boil water in it for a good while (and toss the water) a good 3-5 times and i'd call it good. It's unlikely anything is diffused into the glass, and even it was the boiling step should take care of that.

 

[z-bob]

I'd probably boil some sulfuric acid drain cleaner in it (outside!) to destroy any organic compounds, rinse with dilute hydrochloric acid to dissolve any metal salts that survived the sulfuric acid, then rinse it many times with water. But all that's probably unnecessary.

If it was anything really dangerous, the original companies wouldn't be able to get rid of them like that; they'd have to use a hazardous waste disposal service.

BTW, you can buy new glassware on Amazon pretty cheap, unless you live in Texas where for some reason it's illegal w/o a permit. (War on Drugs silliness)

 

[cactusgarrett]

Pharmaceutical companies use a strict acid wash regimen for their lab ware (provided they're following cGMP or GLPs), so as long as it's been cleaned by them (not sold dirty), that's a step in a good direction. As others have said, your own acid rinse and boil should make it as safe as can be.

 

[SoCal-Doug]

When in doubt about sterility, chuck it in a pressure cooker or instant pot in pressure mode for 20 or 30 minutes. Same thing as an autoclave. Any bad juju on the glass will meet its maker.

 

[Jbrew]

Thanks for all the responses. It's good to hear that everybody here thinks its usable. The flask is very clean, looks brand new. I cant find a scratch or stain anywhere. I can do the acid boil and rinse if you guys think its necessary. I found the sulphuric acid drain cleaner pretty easy, but the hydrochloric acid, the only commercial product was a certain toilet bowl cleaner, and it only used 9% acid, and even that didnt seem like it was available local. Any idea where i can find hydrochloric acid?
Thanks everyone for the help

 

[z-bob]

Hydrochloric is the easy one, and it's cheap. Goto Lowe's, Home Depot, a hardware store, etc, and look for "muriatic acid". It's over 30% HCl.

I don't think any of this is necessary, just being abundantly cautious.

 

[TallDan]

It's glass. We choose glass and stainless steel for brewing because they're easy to clean. Clean thoroughly, and use it!

My flasks came from a business that mixed inks in them. I wouldn't drink that ink, but I cleaned the flasks up and use them for starters. I gave them a round of dish soap, PBW, and StarSan for my own peace of mind more than anything else.

If in doubt, make cupcake stout!