On non food grade buckets you have no idea what the history of the plastic is. Also, food grade buckets use a much costlier mold releaser than non food grade. There is good resason why food grade costs more. If you want cheaper buckets, go to a bakery for old frosting buckets, or a chinese restaurant for used oil jugs. Then clean them. You will have food grade at the cost of a little elbow grease.