Collapsible Buckets

This article is taken from Five Gallon Ideas, which features over 100 uses for 5 gallon buckets with more being added all the time.

As I’m sure you know already, one of the downsides to 5 gallon buckets is how big and bulky they are. This is why shipping them is so expensive and why I advocate finding free buckets from local shops.

But somehow, five gallon inventors have created a solution! This elite class of transformers morph from a tiny package into a glorious 5 gallon warrior.

This one is made of silicone. You can also get these silicone collapsers in kitchen strainer and teapot forms.

Unfortunately the collapsible silicone bucket is only available to my few UK readers (are they even called 5 gallon buckets over there?) – so I’ve found another even cooler collapsible bucket you can get on this side of the pond.

The Roll-up Bucket

The “Seattle Sports” collapsible takes the award for rolling up the smallest. Instead of a big flat disk it curls up into something about the size of a toothpaste roll.

My biggest worry was that this foldable bucket won’t have enough structural strength to hold liquids.

However, in the reviews for this bucket, we are assured that the bucket holds water amazingly well, whether it’s sitting on the ground or you’re carrying it with the attached fabric handle. Photos from people who have purchased it show it filled nearly to the brim with water, and it shows no sign of sagging.

It’s designed for backpackers, who need every micrometer of space since they carry everything they need on their backs.

You can click the above picture for a zoomed in view and get more product details on Amazon.

For many more ways to use 5 gallon buckets for self sufficiency, visit Five Gallon Ideas. When citing this article, please link to