How does one get into 5 gal buckets that have been sealed without tearing up the bucket???? Does it take some sort of a tool and if so where do you get the rascal?

BTW, I posted this on the TB Prep forum, but it's kinda dead right now.....

-- Vernon Hale (create@premiernet.net), January 08, 2000

Answers

Yes. Combination Bung Wrench & Lid Lifter.

Emergency Essential, Sportman's Guide & Major Surplus (i think).

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), January 08, 2000.

USPlastics has it...can order off the web at USPlastics. com. It comes in plastic or metal. Get the metal one. Most anywhere they sell the buckets you should be able to buy the tool. Runs abour $6, I think. Taz

-- Taz (Tassi123@aol.com), January 08, 2000.

You might try calling Lowe's, Home Depot, etc...anywhere paint is sold in large buckets.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), January 08, 2000.

The specially designed lid lift tool described above is the preferred tool, however, with patience and a large, heavy-duty flat blade screwdriver, you can get into one of these buckets. Be advised that you need to break the lid to gain entry - this is, for air-tight purposes, these lids are a one-time use only.

Of course the 'used' lids are still good for many applications - just not air-tight food storage.

I invested in as many of the screw-on "Gamma Seal" lids as possible - which frankly wasn't a lot since they cost more than the buckets themselves. But they do make excellent re-useable food storage containers.

United States Plastics seemed to have the lowest price on the Gamma Seals

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), January 08, 2000.

Hi Vernon-- You might call your local Ace Hardware or True Value Hardare. I got one of the tools for $1.49 there. They were about $10.00--but no one bought any so they marked them down to $5.00. Still no one bought any so they marked them to $2.50. The salesman said we were the only people to _ever_ buy one to the best of his knowledge and he marked it $1.50.

-- Pam (jpjgood@penn.com), January 08, 2000.

Hey guys I have had the same problem, I used a claw hammer, working the claws up under the edges all the way around, it is hard and takes time and patience, however you do not tear up the lid, and it can be used to reseal the bucket. I thought I was the only one running into that problem next time to Lowes or Home depot, I will look for one of those suckers, be a lot easier than a claw hammer. The hammer works but you have to stick with it, prying up under the lip of the lid. Careful because you can skin the hands.

-- Notforlong (Fsur439@aol.com), January 08, 2000.

You can try using a hammer and a srew driver and tap it out gently

-- Lady Bug (LadyBug@y2k.com), January 08, 2000.

Combo bung wrench @ Home Depot $8. Works like a champ.

Good Luck,

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.com), January 08, 2000.

Here's the link for Major Surplus on the page with lid removers (not the best price):

Major Surplus

In case you've never browsed the shelves at Sportman's Guide (a great company with an unbelievable guarantee, if you're not happy with it--send it back for a refund, period), let me be the first to recommend them:

Sportsman's Guide

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), January 08, 2000.

Thanks everyone for the answers!!!!

-- Vernon Hale (create@premiernet.net), January 08, 2000.

It helps in opening these lids to kneel on the center of the lid as you pry, thus raising and flaring out the outside edge. If you do this the prying tool will probably get the lid off without cutting. However, after several times of putting the lid on and off, the seal will degrade, so the screw-on gamma lids are the best bet. That is what I use.

Good luck!

-- seraphima (seraphima@aik.com), January 08, 2000.

Arnie:

I got "5 gal" white pails from a local bakery, (apprantly they get eggs, pie fillings, and such in them) along with the lids. Are you saying that these will not be air tight since they are "used"?

-- Jeff Sanders (jsanders@nospam.com), January 08, 2000.

I used the mylar bags, sealed them, and don't concern myself whether or not the lid is airtight.

For the guy who suggested Sportsman's Guide, buyer beware. I have had several items show up, and not be as advertised. They took them back and gave me my money back, but I'm still out the return shipping. So far, it's been about 60% as advertised, 40% not.

-- Bill (billclo@msgbox.com), January 09, 2000.