In a message dated 96-11-14 13:27:13 EST, [log in to unmask] (Joel Govostes) writes: << You mentioned the spackling/dry wall compound buckets. I would wonder if the material is food-approved, or if the compounds might contaminate the honey, even if the buckets were scoured clean. I wonder if you could even get them clean. Any BEE-Liners have information to offer on this? Could this be a good source for bulk containers? Many years ago I got 5-gal pickle buckets from a caterer. I used them, and certainly they were safe, but could never get the dill-pickle smell out! >> I would also be afraid of spackling or other such compounds. Pickle buckets we've also tried and found wanting. We have standardized pretty much on the 4 1/4 gal pails in which donut fillings are shipped. I can get these in quantity for a dollar or a dollar and a half. One advantage is that the lids do not require an opening tool and are more reuseable than the 5 gallon lids, which often tear as you open them. They are used for a food product, so are cleaner. The only drawback I've seen, is that they sometimes only rinse them at the shops. When nested the oily filling can be trapped between pails and mold forms, staining and possibly contaminating the plastic. I wouldn't want ones that have been stored a long time this way. They are too hard to clean. We've wrapped them with a lot of tape and shipped them with no problem, too. [log in to unmask] Dave Green, PO Box 1200, Hemingway, SC 29554 (Dave & Jan's Pollination Service, Pot o'Gold Honey Co.) Practical Pollination Home Page Dave & Janice Green http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html