5-gallon buckets

you can never have enough 5-gallon buckets - but not all buckets are created equal, and there are some easy ways to make your buckets even more useful. below are the buckets and bucket-related tools we use.

bucket selection

utility buckets

united solutions ecosolution

• product link: ECOSolution Utility Bucket
• size: 5-gallon
• dimensions: 12.50 x 12.50 x 14.25 inches
• features: durable and crack resistant, comfort grip handle, no-stick easy-clean plastic
• design: nested shape to maximize storage utilization
• application: general workshop and outdoor use

food-grade buckets

epackage supply

• product link: Food Grade Buckets
• sizes available: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4, 5, and 7 gallon
• thickness options: 51 mil, 70 mil, 90 mil, 100 mil
• lid types: gamma seal, gasketed tear strip, easy off, pour spout, white plastic
• colors: white, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, translucent, gray, clear
• features: bpa-free, food-grade certified
• notes: bulk quantities available in 5-packs and pallets

lids and closures

universal screw-on lids

smart seal reusable lid

• product link: Smart Seal Lid on Amazon
• brand: handy pantry
• compatibility: fits 3.5, 5, 6, and 7-gallon buckets with 12” diameter
• features: two elastomeric gaskets for seal, easy spin-on/spin-off design
• material: high-density polyethylene, bpa-free, food-grade plastic
• colors: yellow, blue, black, orange, silver
• application: food storage, emergency prep, feed storage, brine/marinating

accessories

seating solutions

bucket seat adapter

• product link: Bucket Seat with Storage
• application: farm work, vehicle emergency kit, fishing
• notes: transforms bucket into portable workstation with padded seat

carrying systems

peregrine venture bucket pack

• product link: Venture Bucket Packs
• models: venture bucket pack lite (5-gallon), insulated models (5 and 6-gallon)
• patterns: shadow grass blades, original bottomland camo
• features: insulated and non-insulated versions available
• application: hunting, trapping, foraging

opening tools

red devil lid opener

• product link: Red Devil 4039 on Amazon
• model: combination 5-gallon lid & bucket opener
• application: frequent lid removal without damage

liquid transfer

drill pumps

• application: transferring liquids between buckets
• compatibility: standard drill chuck attachment
• notes: useful for water changes, chemical transfer

lever-action bucket pumps

• product link: Performance Tool Lever Pump
• application: fuel transfer, oil changes, chemical dispensing
• features: manual operation, no power required

cleaning

critical warning

scented soaps and essential oils can permanently contaminate plastic buckets. the oils absorb into the plastic and will taint food, brewing, or fermentation projects indefinitely. once a bucket has been used with scented products, consider it permanently unsuitable for food use.

pbw (powdered brewery wash)

• product link: PBW Cleaner 1lb
• manufacturer: five star chemicals
• sizes: 1, 4, and 8 lb for home use
• composition: granular white powder, full spectrum cleaner
• safe on: stainless steel, rubber, soft metals, plastics
• ph: 12 (1% solution)
• shelf life: 18-24 months as powder, 8-10 hours mixed

usage for buckets

• mixing ratio: 3/4 oz per gallon for standard cleaning, 1-2 oz per gallon for heavy soil
• circulation method: heat to 130-180°f, circulate 30+ minutes
• soaking method: heat to 140°f, soak 4 hours or overnight
• rinse: thorough rinse required after cleaning
• applications: removes organic soil, proteins, stains, caked-on residue
• notes: effective alternative to caustic cleaners, no foam above 100°f

dr. bronner’s baby unscented

• product link: Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Soap
• key feature: unscented, no added fragrance or essential oils
• ingredients: organic coconut, palm kernel, olive, hemp, and jojoba oils
• sizes: 2 oz to 1 gallon
• application: safe for buckets that will be used for food or brewing
• dilution: varies by application, generally 1:10 to 1:40 with water
• notes: double the olive oil content of other dr. bronner’s soaps

power washing

• application: heavy-duty cleaning for extremely soiled buckets
• pressure: 1500-2000 psi adequate for plastic buckets
• distance: maintain 12+ inches to avoid damage
• notes: excellent for removing dried concrete, paint, or agricultural residue
• warning: can damage thin-wall buckets or stress crack handles

related 5-gallon bucket pages

• 5-gallon bucket rotary tumbler - simple tumbler for composting, polishing, and processing

weight capacity

• standard bucket: 40-70 lbs depending on construction
• reinforced buckets: up to 90 lbs
• consider handle attachment points for heavy loads

material compatibility

• hdpe plastic compatible with most chemicals
• check specific chemical resistance charts
• avoid petroleum products in standard buckets
• use food-grade only for consumables or soil and water taken up by consumables

stacking and storage

• nested storage saves 60-70% space
• lids required for stable stacking when full
• maximum recommended stack: 3-4 buckets loaded
• make sure they’re dry before stacking though, or enjoy separating them later

sourcing

bulk purchasing

• restaurant supply companies often have surplus
• bakeries and delis discard food-grade buckets

quality indicators

• wall thickness (measured in mils)
• handle attachment (metal vs plastic)
• uv resistance rating
• certification marks (fda, nsf)

maintenance

• inspect handles before heavy loads
• replace cracked lids promptly
• clean threads on screw-top versions
• store out of direct sunlight to prevent degradation
• rotate stock to prevent plastic fatigue