Lowe’s offers a popular and common bucket brand that offers a wide variety of uses.
One of the most common uses of their buckets is for food storage, and users often want to be sure if their buckets are food grade or not.
Lowe’s offers over 23 different types of buckets that are food-grade and also come in varying capacities, qualities, and affordability.
Customers have options to choose from without compromising their health and storage needs.
Are Lowe’s Buckets Safe For Food?
As mentioned above, Lowe’s has a vast range of buckets. However, not all of them are safe for edibles, thus making them not safe for storing food.
We advise you to not take a risk with your health and food by using their blue buckets (which are highly popular) for food storage purposes.
Instead, go for the food-grade section of their buckets and pick the one that best fits your needs.
One such bucket of Lowe’s is their 10-liter collapsible bucket designed for travelers and those in sports.
This bucket is made of silicon, which is a fully functional food-grade material, meaning it can be used to store food safely.
Were Lowe’s Buckets Ever Food Grade?
Lowe’s once offered a 5-gallon food-grade variant of their famous blue bucket, but after some time this product was discontinued.
This model of a food-grade gallon was designed for both indoor and outdoor purposes, with a tapered opening, & classic wireframe handle feature. It was made from food-grade polyethylene -HDPE resin.
How Can You Tell If a Bucket’s Food Grade Or Not?
Some products are labeled as food grade, but instead of relying on the label, it is necessary to understand the technicalities of their ingredients before safely storing food in them.
This will allow you to figure out if the bucket should be used to store food or not. Here are some guidelines concerning that.
1. Labels/Markings
Look for labels on the product that denote it is safe for food storage. Alternatively, you can ask sales representatives whether the bucket is safe to be used for water and food.
Labels are usually located underneath the bucket near the recycling symbol.
2. Recycling Symbol
Look for the recycling symbol molded into the bucket. The number in the recycling symbol should be “2” to show that the bucket is food grade.
3. Bucket Material
The material of the bucket should be high-density polyethylene, and it should also be BPA-free.
If you are ordering online and are not able to figure out the material on their website, give the store a call and inquire from their employee to ensure about bucket material.
What Is The Difference Between Food-Grade Buckets And Regular Buckets?
The main difference is the kind of dyes involved in the coloring and types of chemicals which are utilized in releasing buckets from molds.
Most food-grade buckets only come in white. But to be sure, always ask sales representatives if they are good for keeping edibles in or not.
Does PVC Constitute As a Food-Grade Material?
No, PVC does not constitute a food-grade material. There are various other forms of PVC that too aren’t safe for keeping food either.
However, UPVC is safe for food storage and is also commonly used in the food industry.
What Does Not Food Safe Mean?
The word food-safe implies that the material of the said item can safely come in direct contact with food without resulting in any harmful effects on one’s health.
Moreover, food graded products indicate that no harmful material during the plastic, polishing, or coloring stages was used in it.
How To Clean a Lowe’s Food-Grade Bucket
Lowe’s buckets very easy to clean with hot water. For stubborn stains and oil residues, use Oxiclean or ABW which will also help in cleaning up any traces of aroma as well.
Which Buckets Are Food Grade?
Most 5-gallon buckets are not food grade. Make sure to evaluate and inquire about its labels and materials or simply ask a professional before buying any 5-gallon bucket.
Are Lowe’s Buckets BPA Free?
Yes, all Lowe’s buckets that are graded as food grades are BPA free.
Food buckets are made with number 2 high-density polythene (HDPE) plastic & BPA is found in number 7 plastic products only.
HDPE’s molecules are tightly joined together as compared to other materials.
This means less plastic will saturate into your food when used for food & water storage purposes.
Why Avoid Buying Non-Food Grade Buckets?
Non-food quality buckets should be avoided since they limit your flexibility and food storage options.
When buckets are not used for necessary storage, you can use them to carry water, farm vegetables, make cider, etc. If the bucket is not food grade, then you lose this usability of the bucket.
Are All White 5-Gallon Buckets Food Grade?
As a matter of fact, the majority of food-grade buckets are manufactured from white HDPE, which is denoted on the bottom of the bucket with a #2 recycling sign.
However, this does not imply that all white buckets with the #2 recycling symbols are food-grade.
How Should I Store My Food-Grade Buckets?
Food-grade buckets should be kept in the same location as your groceries. This means they should be kept in a dry, clean, and cool environment. The storage area should also be pest free and well ventilated.
The proper amount of oxygen absorbers should be utilized if the buckets are to be stored for a long time and tightly insulated. Mylar buckets and bags should also be used as well.
Are Paint Buckets Food Grade?
When non-food things are put in the bucket, such as paint, this makes them no longer food grade, as HDPE plastic is slightly absorbable and its particles are not completely packed.
Consequently, it will absorb some of the chemicals of non-food material and will gradually release it back into any food you will put it in the bucket later.
Summing Up Lowe’s Food-Grade Buckets
Lowe’s does offer a wide range of buckets in the food-grade category, and users can easily pick one as per their choice and need dictates.
However, users should have sufficient knowledge on what material is used in its production and also how it is used in order to avoid your food or health getting spoiled as a result.
