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I went to a local BBQ joint today and they had a small sign next to the register. It said: used 5 gallon buckets 2 for $5.00. I walked out with two used pickle buckets, including lids! In addition to being green, these babies smell just like pickles (go figure).
The question for you, my penny hording friends, is: do I just fill them with pennies and put on the lid, OR do I need to worry about the pickle essence?
Thanks,
Amaleki’s Dad

Nothing tastes like a vlasic lincoln.

I work at a restaurant and we go through a ton of these buckets. We also go through a lot of 2 gallon buckets. I see you are in TX, wish you were closer, I'd hook you up with a bunch for free! As for your question, I dont really have a good answer but be careful filling those babies up. 5 gallons of pickles weighs a lot less than 5 gallons of pennies. The handles on them can be a little faulty. The two gallon buckets would be a little better but I still wouldn't trust the handles. We reuse them for a number of things and the pickle smell does go away but it takes a little time. If you eat out a lot try asking at different places, I wouldn't be surprised if you found a place that would give them to you for free. We used to save one gallon jugs for a contractor (no idea what he used them for) and we gave him about 20-30 every week. All sorts of stuff comes in those jugs.

Also, good that you got the lids. I'm assuming the are the snap on kind and they lock pretty tight. The bucket definitely has better strength with the lid on if there's any kinda weight in it. But I still wouldn't trust those handles.

Use a plastic garbage bag as a liner to avoid any acids absorbed by the bucket.

rickygee wrote:Use a plastic garbage bag as a liner to avoid any acids absorbed by the bucket.

Would they dill the finish on the coins?

I have been using old beef jerky jars.


they are much easier, and don't spill like my previous method of using canvas bank bags. plus I get to eat lots of beef jerky.

Do you have any idea as the amount of weight such a barrel will hold in pennies. A brink's box of copper weighs in a 17 pounds and a 5 gallon bucket will probably easily hold at least 10 boxes and quite possibly a little more. Whenever you move the buckets around you will get a good upper body workout. The handles could quite possibly tear out.

Engineer wrote:

rickygee wrote:Use a plastic garbage bag as a liner to avoid any acids absorbed by the bucket.

Would they dill the finish on the coins?

ya had to go there!

rexmerdinus wrote::roll: ya had to go there!

Bad puns are my bread and butter.

I know some people don't think they're very Kosher, but I guess they just don't relish a good play on words.

Amal,

I would definitely rinse them first. Personally I use 4 gal 'cleaned' food containers with the lids. I bought about 50 and I spent a part of the summer cleaning them out with soap and a sponge. I don't always sort out wheats and other treasures so I wanted the buckets to be clean for storing coins. Why store copper in harsh conditions if it can be avoided.

If you don't care about getting food materials on the coins don't do anything. Also check craigslist for "food buckets" or "5 gallon buckets with lids". I was able to get a bunch of food people competing to sell me their extra buckets and lids. The best deal i found was 100 4 gal buckets and sealable lids for $75. I settled for 50 w/lids for $50 (which was still more than my vehicle could safely transport in one go ).

~JobIII

Q. Should you ever eat pickles on an empty stomach?
A. Yes, but it’s better to eat ‘em off a plate!

Buckets were already rinsed out. They just smell like pickles. I figure that I will leave em open and outside the shop until I need them for Cu. The smell should calm down by then. They look pretty solid. I am worried about the handles, they look kind of flimsy. But doesn't a full bucket of pickle chips weigh allot?

BTW -- love the jokes, keep 'em coming

I use 1 gallon plastic jars... a few smell like pickles.. im not too worried..

had the same conundrum on a smaller scale. needed another container for my BUs and washed out a glass pickle jar . clean but still smelled like pickles( I guess storing nickels would be OK, them rhyming and all...) I opted for plastic to avoid an awkward late night drunken snack binge...

I get frosting buckets from work. 2 1/2 and 5 gal. I use a hand truck to move the 5 gallon buckets around. I picked up a used hand truck cheap. Just check craigslist or the flea markets. You will be surprised at how much you use it for other things.

Check you local grocery store that has a bakery and ask them for some buckets. My boss sold me over 50 buckets with lids for $20. The money went to the charity that we give to.

Peanut butter jars and hot cocoa tins for me.

robroy wrote:Do you have any idea as the amount of weight such a barrel will hold in pennies. A brink's box of copper weighs in a 17 pounds and a 5 gallon bucket will probably easily hold at least 10 boxes and quite possibly a little more. Whenever you move the buckets around you will get a good upper body workout. The handles could quite possibly tear out.

You're a stronger man than I. Once I fill up a 5 gallon'er, it doesn't move.

crazypennyguy wrote:You're a stronger man than I. Once I fill up a 5 gallon'er, it doesn't move.

What are you, some kind of gherkin?!? Lift with your legs man...lift with your legs!

Throw some baking soda in them with the lid on for a couple weeks. It will pull most of the odor our of them.
In the Fall I throw baking soda in my coolers and Igloo jugs. A quick rinse in the Spring and they seem like new .