[psm1212]

You might want to stop using a mallet and just pop them on by hand.I have been using Lowes brand for years and never had a problem.I think you may be cracking them with the mallet.Good luck in the future.

I think that depends on the type of lid you want to use. The lids I use can somewhat be put on by hand, but the seal does not get properly "seated" until I lightly tap around the rim with a mallet. You can certainly not get the lid off by hand. Or at least I can't. After a few uses, this causes Lowe's/Home Depot/Tractor Supply bucket to crack near the rim when either putting the lid on or removing it. That is why I was seeking a heavier duty bucket, so I could continue to use the lids that I think provide a good seal for long-term storage.

Additionally, I make a lot of creamed honey using the Dyce method, where I heat my honey to 160F for 15 minutes and then immediately transfer the bucket of honey to a freezer to rapidly cool it.

I'm Hell on buckets. Need some tough ones. Going with 90 mils. Already ordered 5 just to check them out. Will report back. Thanks for comments.

 

[bushpilot]

The lids I use have seals that require a lot of force. I have to tap them on with a mallet and use a lid opener to get them back off.

If you are reusing lids, you should tear off the "tear strip" (whatever it is called), on the edge of the lid, and it will go on and off much easier.

Maybe someone here can better explain.

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

I have not used these for honey, but there are bucket lids that are "screw-on," rather than "hammer-on". For instance:

The Gamma Seal® Lid

Why throw away a perfectly good bucket when you now can Gamma Seal it? The Gamma Seal® lid permanently transforms your 12" Dia. bucket into an airtight/leak proof storage container. Now a bucket can be used for hundreds of household storage applications! Simply snap the patented adapter onto...

www.menards.com

Those lids have a lip that replaces the "hammer-on" part, then after that point you just unscrew them to open the bucket. I have also seen these lids at Lowes, so I suspect they are readily available at other outlets as well.

 

[funwithbees]

Hi, I had the same problems with the pails being brittle. I ship 5 gallon s of honey by ups and usps and dont need another problem. I buy Leitica pails from Uline. They are a high quality pail, much superior than those from lowes etc. A couple bucks more.Those stores might have the same brands from time to time, but NOT the same quality.
You get what you pay for. Also, don't use used pails to sell honey in. We sell a premium product and used buckets don't purvey a quality image.
Nick
gridleyhollow.com

 

[JWPalmer]

Lowe's also sells the Gamma Seal lids for their food grade buckets. The opening is smaller so I don't think the buckets will drain all that well. I looked into them and chose not to use them. They are a good choice for storing dry goods like rice and macaroni etc.

 

[psm1212]

Gamma lids are great in concept but don’t work for me for 3 reasons: (1) the 400 and 200 micron filters I use to drain honey out of my extractor will not fit within the rim of the Gamma lid while in place; (2) Gamma lid rings (the female portion that stays on the bucket) are incredibly difficult to remove and a regular bucket will not survive taking it on and off multiple times; and (3) the ring that remains on the bucket traps water when you are rinsing it out. That trapped water ultimately creates mold and mildew under the ring.

 

[psm1212]

Hi, I had the same problems with the pails being brittle. I ship 5 gallon s of honey by ups and usps and dont need another problem. I buy Leitica pails from Uline. They are a high quality pail, much superior than those from lowes etc. A couple bucks more.Those stores might have the same brands from time to time, but NOT the same quality.
You get what you pay for. Also, don't use used pails to sell honey in. We sell a premium product and used buckets don't purvey a quality image.
Nick
gridleyhollow.com

Good advice Nick. I am familiar with Uline. Will look up the Leica pail. Thank you.

 

[Gir]

I am finding that 5 gallon buckets used to store honey are only lasting me a couple of seasons. I buy them primarily from box stores (Lowes/Home Depot) and from Tractor Supply. The upper lips seem too thin and will crack after a few lids have been malleted on and pried off for a few seasons.

I am looking for a heavy duty bucket (Manufacturer and Retailer) that will endure a beating. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources? Thank you.

YES! Go to your local supermarket bakery and ask them to save you frosting tubs. I get all of mine for free. I've got so many I throw them away if they get too dirty. Give them a bit of honey and they love ya for it!

 

[cersbo]

I am finding that 5 gallon buckets used to store honey are only lasting me a couple of seasons. I buy them primarily from box stores (Lowes/Home Depot) and from Tractor Supply. The upper lips seem too thin and will crack after a few lids have been malleted on and pried off for a few seasons.

I am looking for a heavy duty bucket (Manufacturer and Retailer) that will endure a beating. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources? Thank you.

 

[cersbo]

I am finding that 5 gallon buckets used to store honey are only lasting me a couple of seasons. I buy them primarily from box stores (Lowes/Home Depot) and from Tractor Supply. The upper lips seem too thin and will crack after a few lids have been malleted on and pried off for a few seasons.

I am looking for a heavy duty bucket (Manufacturer and Retailer) that will endure a beating. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources? Thank you.

I get my 5 gallon buckets from Menards. They are the only retailer/big box retailer that I have found to carry food grade 5 gallon pail‘s. I don’t think regular old 5 gallon pails are safe for food product based on the plastic composition. I am no expert but I come to that conclusion based on the fact there are 5 gallon pails made specifically for food based products...

 

[JWPalmer]

This is one of the buckets being discussed as failing after a few years.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Encore-Plastics-5-Gallon-General-Bucket/3694238

 

[Gino45]

I sometimes reuse buckets once or twice; however, I seldom reuse the lids. High quality honey is worth the lid with that peels off, IMO.
I also don't buy the wally world brands, as Ihave found them to be inferior. I have had them shatter which most others do not. Another brand I will not name actually cracked in the middle of the bottom of the pail this last year when I set 2 of them on the floor. Apparently I was not gentle enough.
There are pails that will withstand fairly rough treatment. I have to throw them in the back of the truck and hand deliver after driving on what roads that are often pretty rough. One needs a decent bucket.

 

[Pchristu]

I am finding that 5 gallon buckets used to store honey are only lasting me a couple of seasons. I buy them primarily from box stores (Lowes/Home Depot) and from Tractor Supply. The upper lips seem too thin and will crack after a few lids have been malleted on and pried off for a few seasons.

I am looking for a heavy duty bucket (Manufacturer and Retailer) that will endure a beating. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources? Thank you.

I get free food grade 5 gallon buckets from a middle eastern restaurant; Tahini comes in it. Here’s a hint: to remove the lid, set bucket in the sink, pour boiling water on the lid and let it set for a minute or so. It gets more pliable and you can remove the lid with your fingers, not one of those church key devices that cause little cracks in the plastic.

 

[SWM]

In general I've found the the bee supply companies sell buckets more heavy duty than the ones I can buy locally. I've been using Paragon brand buckets from Mann Lake for years with no problems. I seal the lids with a rubber mallet and pry them off with a removal tool and found them to be very durable. I haven't bought any buckets for several years so I don't know if ML still sells this brand.

 

[psm1212]

In general I've found the the bee supply companies sell buckets more heavy duty than the ones I can buy locally. I've been using Paragon brand buckets from Mann Lake for years with no problems. I seal the lids with a rubber mallet and pry them off with a removal tool and found them to be very durable. I haven't bought any buckets for several years so I don't know if ML still sells this brand.

Just looked it up on Mann Lake. They sell a 5 gallon bucket, but there are no specs or description. Typical Mann Lake. They could hire a high school class that could design a better website in a semester than the one they use.

I also googled Paragon. Their buckets are 90 mil. Your post confirms my suspicion that 90 mil is what I am seeking. Thanks for the info and sharing your experience.

 

[Cascade Hunter]

How do you wear out a plastic bucket?

 

[Roland]

I can speak highly of Paragon pails. We purchase their 2 gallon pauils for use aas feeders. The pails from 2008 are still in service, and sometimes get used twice a season. I believe I deal thru Basco, Ask for Dee???

Crazy Roland

 

[JWPalmer]

The two buckets I bought from Brushy Mountain in 2017 were made by Paragon. They are still in perfect condition. All the others are the Encore buckets.

 

[PRobees]

I am finding that 5 gallon buckets used to store honey are only lasting me a couple of seasons. I buy them primarily from box stores (Lowes/Home Depot) and from Tractor Supply. The upper lips seem too thin and will crack after a few lids have been malleted on and pried off for a few seasons.

I am looking for a heavy duty bucket (Manufacturer and Retailer) that will endure a beating. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources? Thank you.

I get mine from the local donut shop that their jelly filling comes in. 2 bucks a piece with lids. Nice strong food grade buckets.

 

[psm1212]

I ordered 6 of these off of Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GMC8RM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. They came in yesterday. I think these will work. I compared it to my 70 mil and there is a significant difference. When I ordered the set of 6, it was $38 (with lids). Now, it is $57. So I will check out all of the sources y'all have posted. Thanks again for all of the input.