Review: Encore Plastics 5-Gallon Food Grade Plastic Bucket

S

SwedishRider

New member
If you are looking for inexpensive, white, heavy duty 5-gallon buckets that fit Grit Guards perfectly, head to your local Lowe's and check out these buckets made by Encore Plastics. They are 70 mil thick and cost only $4.48/bucket without lid. I was surprised at how many pails in the local and big box hardware stores don't fit the Grit Guard (they taper and can't fit them properly), so I was pleasantly surprised when I found these. Just passing this along in case someone is having trouble finding quality car wash buckets that fit Grit Guards.

Shop Encore Plastics 5-Gallon Food Grade Plastic Bucket at Lowes.com



 
Any chance they come in clear or translucent? I really like to see my wash water and rinse water condition. My wheel bucket not as important.
 
JSFM35X said:
Any chance they come in clear or translucent? I really like to see my wash water and rinse water condition. My wheel bucket not as important.
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They did have translucent buckets that had measurements on them right next to the white buckets that I ended up buying. The translucent buckets were not heavy duty though, and so I didn't try the grit guard in them. I wanted something heavy duty.
 
JSFM35X said:
Any chance they come in clear or translucent? I really like to see my wash water and rinse water condition. My wheel bucket not as important.
Click to expand...

I use the clear version from Lowes as my wash bucket (and my avatar):

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Angus said:
I use the clear version from Lowes as my wash bucket (and my avatar):
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That must have been the one near the HD food grade bucket that I saw. I liked the ability to see water levels and conditions easily, but it wasn't built as heavy-duty as the HD bucket. I guess it depends on what your needs are.

Either way, I'm glad there are buckets that fit the Grit Guard well. I am surprised at how many buckets are tapered and don't allow the Guard to sit on the bottom of the pail.
 
Can't say this is a flimsy bucket, and it does say it's HD:



Fits my car "wash" bucket needs perfectly.
 
Found the Mil rating on the bottom of the bucket: .075 MIL. What's the rating on your solid white one?
 
70 mil. So yours is a hair thicker. Your particular bucket was not the one I saw at Lowes though. I linked the one I saw in a post above. It's not as rugged as yours. I can't find yours in Lowe's online search. Can you find and link it??
 
Can't find it on Lowes.com either. Maybe it's an in some stores only item? I'll keep an eye out next time I'm in Lowes for it.
 
Looks like I'm going to have to make a trip to Lowes. I've got a ton of buckets, none of them fit the grit guard.

Thanks for the info.
 
RDKC said:
Looks like I'm going to have to make a trip to Lowes. I've got a ton of buckets, none of them fit the grit guard.

Thanks for the info.
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You are welcome. I found a link that says the United Solutions bucket linked above (the translucent one with measurements) will NOT fit the Grit Guard. Looks like only the white Encore Plastics food grade bucket will work.

Grit Guard Bucket Fit Guide : AutoDetailing

Either way, I'd take the Grit Guard in with you and make sure before you buy. Good luck! :)
 
Thanks for the list but I think I'll follow your advice about taking it in to check. I know for a fact the grit guard does not fit in a HD Homer bucket from 1-2 years ago until now. I have plenty of those. Also does not fit in a Napa Auto bucket. Only one I didn't try is my Orscheln's bucket since my brother decided to fill it with dirt and worms when I left it with him for a couple of days. Looks like it has a little less taper too.

Anyway, thanks again.
 
JSFM35X said:
Any chance they come in clear or translucent? I really like to see my wash water and rinse water condition. My wheel bucket not as important.
Click to expand...

Dear JSFM35X

I like to see the condition of my water, too. I'm using 70-mil Leaktites that are clear and have the measurement markings on them. I got them in a package with the Dirt Dropper (Grit Guard alternative). These have a nice foam handle that haven't broken on me in three years of use.
 
SwedishRider said:
70 mil. So yours is a hair thicker. Your particular bucket was not the one I saw at Lowes though. I linked the one I saw in a post above. It's not as rugged as yours. I can't find yours in Lowe's online search. Can you find and link it??
Click to expand...

Well I was in Lowes over the weekend, looked for my bucket and couldn't find it. They only had the thinner plastic one you linked to. I have to agree, it feel very flimsy and not as well made as the one I have or you bought. Too bad they switched to a cheaper version...
 
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