Buckets Question

[Noseguard76]

Was wondering what the advantage is, if any of the traditional galvanized maple bucket with tee pee lid over a food grade, 5-gallon plastic bucket. The 5-gallon plastic bucket can hold more sap and has a sealable top if needed. I drilled a small hole near the rim for inserting the spile and plug this hole with a cork when transporting. I saw used galvanized buckets for sale the other day for $4.50 and $6.00 each and the lids were another $2.00. I can get food grade 5-gallon plastic buckets with lids for less than $5.00 if not free. Why go with the traditional galvanized bucket which can't be sealed and holds less sap?

thanks
Noseguard76

6 taps
Made 1st gallon ever this year. Working on 2nd a few ounces at a time.

[happy thoughts]

Some people like the look of buckets for the nostalgia of it but your argument for cost effectiveness makes sense. You might want to drill another small vent hole in your buckets so that pressure doesn't build up in the pail and prevent or inhibit sap flow. Or leave the lids loose. Sap flow in part depends on pressure gradients.

[Ed R]

storage for the plastic buckets is a problem they take up alot of room. For 6 taps they are perfect.

[jmayerl]

Some people may like lead poisoning.:o

[mike z]

I like the Al. buckets because they carry easy and are somewhat easy to wash in the sink.

[Big_Eddy]

400 Al buckets store in the same space as 10 plastic ones.
Al will not degrade in the sun.
Al cleans up better than plastic, won't absorb odours or dirt.
Al buckets will be worth what you paid for them 40 years from now (if not more).
1 person can carry 20-30 at once.
Al buckets don't crack in the cold
I could go on

I don't recommend galvanized

[PerryW]

I still use the most of same galvanized buckets I used in 1968. Yes, I would stay away from the terne (lead)-coated buckets.