Score some buckets

[tinknal]

This is an offshoot of my thread in S&EP. I'm making a $20 survival bucket each week. Needing buckets, I checked with the local mega-chain grocery store. The bakery department gets frosting in 2 and 5 gallon pails and just throw the pails away. I stop every day or so ( I work near there) and usually get at least one bucket every time I stop.

[rags57078]

great score

[Paquebot]

When you get them, try to get the same kind each time. Overall, I have about 40 and they are often a nightmare to nest together or unstack. I could handle 18 of them in my pickup for when I go for sand, manure, compost, etc. Those were coded so that I could restack them. Finally got tired of that and bought 18 Homer pails from Home Depot.

Martin

[tinknal]

Originally Posted by Paquebot

When you get them, try to get the same kind each time. Overall, I have about 40 and they are often a nightmare to nest together or unstack. I could handle 18 of them in my pickup for when I go for sand, manure, compost, etc. Those were coded so that I could restack them. Finally got tired of that and bought 18 Homer pails from Home Depot.

Martin

For the most part they are all the same. They are lighter weight than most but for the price I can't complain. They have plastic handles, but I have some old worn out and broken buckets with the steel wire handles and the old handles fit the new buckets well.

Maple syrup is part of my SHTF preps and the buckets will come in handy for sap collection.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I get different sizes from Sam's, We use alot of ours for feed or water of different livestock as well as storage, carrying things, etc. Just great to have a supply of different sizes on hand I think.

[travis91]

check krispy kreame donuts.. they give them away sometimes.. and try local car washes.

[tinknal]

Fast food joints are good too, of course you will never get the pickle smell out.

[CarrieAnne]

So true about the pickle smell! I have some older ones that still smell like pickles!

[texican]

Imho, nesting is a big no no... it's a booger trying to un-nest em... more trouble than it's worth. I just clean em and stack em with the lid they came with. Always needing buckets for something.

[haypoint]

Subway green pickle buckets. Contractor's drywall pails.

[travis91]

take a piece of bailing twine and lay it in the bucket hanging over the sides.. then nest the buckets..

[braggscowboy]

You can always learn something good from people on these threads. Wire would be good.

[fantasymaker]

Hydarlic fluid and Oil buckets are all over this place!

[10ecn]

I found a few kitty litter buckets, with lids. The square shape makes them stack and store a little more efficiently.

[ErinP]

We get ours free from the local deli/bakery, too. I've also lived places where they sell them, but it's usually a pretty nominal price. $.50 or $1 or so.

Originally Posted by travis91

take a piece of bailing twine and lay it in the bucket hanging over the sides.. then nest the buckets..

Yep. All you're doing is making sure they don't have a chance to make an air seal. That's really what "locks" them together.
Personally, I just blow down the side of the one I'm trying to get out. One hard puff is usually all it takes.

[Ken Scharabok]

I got a pickup load of them from a business which refills dry fill fire extinguishers. Clean and had the lid in excellent condition.

I can be a trying time trying to get a lid off of one. Somewhere I found a plastic wrench designed for that purpose; but, alas, I don't know where I stored it. If my resident shop black hole every reverses itself, I'm going to be hip deep in stuff.

[Ken Scharabok]

PS: At one time I sold semi-solid cattle manure in lidded 5-gallon plastic buckets as plant fertilizer (for manure tea, which roses, in particular, like). Once lid was put back on, quick wash and, when dry, taped label to lid top.