source for cheap 5 gallon pickle or other buckets ?

can anyone think of anywhere to get free or cheap 5 gallon buckets? i need a few food grade but the rest don't need to be... ace hardware seems to have the cheapest of any store i've found ($3.99?)

If you feel like hauling it to the suburbs, Fred Hots in Glenview sells their pickle buckets for cheaps

I'll make a mental note of how much they actually are the next time I'm in there....which'll probably be sooner than later.

~ J

This is second hand, but a neighbor once told me he got his buckets from his local bakery, which got muffin mixes, etc, in them.

Try Costco or Sams Club. I believe they get their frosting in 5 gal buckets.

Hi,

I have gotten them from friends in the food business as well as pestering my local Burger King. These buckets are so universal to food processing, most places are very glad you are taking them off their hands.

Regards,

i figured a place like burger king would recycle them... but i guess i'll check! :O

OK, the SO stopped by a local ethnic deli today and they were able to provide as many as we needed (with more). i'm supposed to not tell though since we're going to go back for more??? greedy i know. but i guess these are easier to acquire than thought previously, which of course i'm sure just means there's no recycling going on in this world!

If they don't need to be food-grade you can find cheap plastic paint buckets at Home Depot and other hardware-type stores.