If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.
Home Depot Homer buckets are great for holding lots of things, but they’re not food-grade.
Yes, these buckets are made from HDPE (high density polyethylene) and have a #2 recycling symbol.
Yes, HDPE is used in food-grade products. But that doesn’t make these buckets food-grade.
Advertisem*nt
Leaktite, the manufacture, says (with added line breaks for improved readability):
The #2 symbol does not necessarily mean the bucket is food-safe. Virgin, or non-recycled, HDPE is food-safe, but if that cannot be guaranteed, the bucket should not be labeled as such.
Our products are more geared toward paint and DIY so we do not FDA certify.
The buckets we label as food-safe are run on a segregated machine and use virgin HDPE.
Currently, we only offer white as food-safe; they will be called out with a food-safe sticker. The orange buckets also have colorant that is not tested as food-safe which adds another level of uncertainty.
So, HDPE can be used in the production of food-grade containers, but not all containers made from HDPE can be considered food-grade.
Advertisem*nt
Products made from recycled HDPE have the potential to be food-grade, but require testing and close monitoring to meet FDA guidelines. The FDA, in their guidelines for the use of recycled plastics, says:
The possibility that chemical contaminants in plastic materials intended for recycling may remain in the recycled material and could migrate into the food the material contacts is one of the major considerations for the safe use of recycled plastics for food-contact applications.
The FDA’s document is 21 pages long and discusses all the things needed in order for products made from recycled plastic to be considered food-grade.
Leaktite says that their food-grade buckets are explicitly labeled as such, and that their food-grade buckets are made from “virgin HDPE” materials.
Is there harm in using non-food-grade buckets? I don’t know. The dye could leach out – and definitely fades and breaks down when exposed to outdoor conditions and UV light. And as the FDA mentions, there could be chemical contaminant residuals from the use or recycled materials.
I use food-grade buckets for planting fruits and vegetables, although not so much anymore after moving to grow bags and raised beds. I also use them for bulk food prep and to make fermented pickles.
Some of my planter buckets didn’t have drain holes, as I had used them with self-watering reservoirs. Fermentation creates a highly acidic and high-salt environment. A couple of dollars extra for food-grade buckets made me feel more comfortable.
When it comes to food grade considerations, you can’t just make assumptions. It’s either food-grade, or it’s not. And in the case of buckets and pails, food-grade containers are advertised and labeled as such.
Rather than wonder about the potential for safety concerns, I feel it’s better to simply go with food-grade buckets when the differences might matter.
There’s a lot of misinformation online. You can’t just look at the recycling number code. That can tell you if a container is made from a plastic used in food-grade containers, and not whether the container itself is food-grade.
If in doubt, ask questions. Leaktite answered dozens of questions about Home Depot’s iconic orange Homer bucket, each time saying in different ways that no, these buckets are not food-grade.
If you want a food-grade bucket, you have to buy one that’s advertised or labeled as such.
Leaktite’s food-grade buckets have a special label with a spoon, fork, and knife.
Are food-grade buckets safe? That depends on the application. Personally, I feel it’s a far better starting point than buckets whose food contact safety is not certified, advertised, disclosed, or labeled in any regard.
Home Depot and Lowe’s both have food-grade buckets in white.
There are other manufacturers as well; Uline sells food grade plastic buckets in a rainbow of colors. (I like that Uline’s are thicker – they have a 90 mil wall thickness vs 70 mil.)
I have only ever seen food grade buckets made from HDPE. Polypropylene seems to more common for thinner-wall bulk food prep containers.
Home Depot Homer buckets are great for holding lots of things, but they're not food-grade. Yes, these buckets are made from HDPE (high density polyethylene) and have a #2 recycling symbol. Yes, HDPE is used in food-grade products.
The major difference between food grade buckets and regular buckets are the materials they are made out of. Food grade buckets are made of a plastic that is one of the food grade plastic numbers, found inside the recycling symbol on the bottom of the bucket.
To identify food grade buckets, flip a bucket over and look for the recycling number on the bottom. If it's labeled "1," "2," "4," or "5," the bucket is safe to store food in. You can also check the bottom of the bucket to see if there's a cup and fork symbol, which means the bucket is safe for storing food.
So, are all 5 gallon buckets food grade? In short, no. Food grade buckets are made with special materials to ensure that the food remains untainted and unspoiled.
Begin with a large planter, at least 15 inches deep and wide. Make sure it has drainage holes. 5-gallon Homer buckets can be used to grow some edibles like tomatoes and peppers. Fill with good quality organic potting mix.
Home Depot Homer buckets are great for holding lots of things, but they're not food-grade. Yes, these buckets are made from HDPE (high density polyethylene) and have a #2 recycling symbol.
Material, labor, and shipping costs have all increased over the past two years, and this could be a product of that. The price of 5-gallon food-grade buckets, which I purchase from Uline on occasion, have increased as well, from $5.05 each (May 2020, 2021) to $6.25 each today (May 2022).
Buckets made of HDPE (number 2) are generally considered the best material for food storage, especially over the long term. A vast majority of plastic buckets that are sold for food storage purposes will be made of HDPE.
Buckets that are not FDA compliant may affect the food in question because the containers consist of different chemicals. These chemicals will have direct contact with any foods. Uncertainty typically means you will benefit from an FDA compliant bucket, like our 3 GALLON EZ STOR PAIL.
Look for the recycling symbol on the container or bottle: The recycling symbol with a number inside indicates the type of plastic used. The numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 are considered food grade, while numbers 3, 6, and 7 may contain chemicals that can leach into food.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to grow vegetables in a food-grade 5 gallon bucket! Just make sure that the bucket you choose is food-grade and hasn't stored any questionable materials, such as paint, chemicals, tar, asphalt, or pesticides or herbicides.
PET or PETE — This type of plastic, polyethylene terephthalate is listed as number 1 inside the recycling triangle diagram. PET plastic is clear, tough and has gas and moisture barrier properties. This plastic is commonly used for beverages such as soft drinks, juices and bottled water.
Sound food-grade plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, work well. You can also purchase food-grade plastic jugs, buckets or drums. Water primarily for flushing toilets could be stored in 5-gallon buckets or jugs, barrels, drums, or containers you have available such as laundry tubs or bathtubs.
Two or three plants will fit in a five-gallon bucket or grow one cucumber in a 10-inch-wide container. Mix soil with equal parts of compost, potting soil, perlite and peat moss.
Potatoes grow best in deep buckets that are at least 5 gallons in size. Potatoes with small tubers, like gem and fingerling potatoes, are ideal for container gardens.
On the bottom of the bucket, there should be a recycling symbol, which also contains a recycling number between 1 and 7. This number will be stamped between a triangle of arrows. Generally speaking, the numbers that denote food grade standards are 1, 2, 4, and 5.
A food grade container is one that will not transfer non-food chemicals into the food. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, non-food grade plastic containers may contaminate food. Plastic food containers must follow specific regulations to make sure they are safe for food.
Buckets that are not FDA compliant may affect the food in question because the containers consist of different chemicals. These chemicals will have direct contact with any foods. Uncertainty typically means you will benefit from an FDA compliant bucket, like our 3 GALLON EZ STOR PAIL.
Food grade plastic materials must be chemically safe and not release harmful chemicals into food. Plastics safe for food must be resistant to acidic and alkaline substances, oils, and fats that are present in food. They must also be free from heavy metals, BPA, and other harmful chemicals that can migrate into food.
Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
