Buckets

A professional bucket in a HoReCa kitchen serves several functions at once — transporting water, short-term storage of food products, rinsing and disinfection, collecting waste and cleaning. Unlike household buckets, professional buckets are made from materials that withstand intensive use, frequent washing and disinfection cycles. Capacity, material and the availability of a lid are three key parameters to consider before purchasing. BHS offers buckets to HoReCa businesses across Europe.

Types of buckets — material and capacity

Stainless steel buckets (AISI 304) — more durable and hygienic, suitable for hot water, acidic liquids and intensive disinfection. The steel bucket does not retain odours and is dishwasher-safe. Food-grade polyethylene buckets — lighter and more affordable, suitable for cold or neutral liquids and food storage. HACCP coloured plastic buckets — red (meat), yellow (poultry), blue (fish), green (vegetables and fruit), white (dairy products), grey (cleaning) — allow you to code their use and prevent cross-contamination. Capacities: 5–10 L for everyday use, 12–15 L for medium applications, 20–25 L for large-volume tasks. BHS helps you choose the right model.

Buckets for food storage

Food-grade plastic buckets with a hermetically sealable lid are a popular solution for short-term storage of large quantities of food products in a refrigerator or cold room — marinades, sauces, grains and prepared semi-finished products. The bucket’s shape is ideal for shelf use — straight walls allow them to be stacked one on top of the other, maximising the use of refrigeration equipment capacity. A large bucket with a lid retains moisture and odours without affecting other products, which is important in dense cold rooms. Labelling with the product name, batch date and expiry date is a HACCP requirement in every business’s record-keeping system. BHS helps you choose food storage buckets.

HACCP colour coding for buckets

Colour coding is a simple and effective HACCP tool that visually separates accessories used for processing different food groups. In a professional kitchen, buckets can be designated: red for meat products, yellow for poultry processing, blue for fish and seafood processing, green for washing vegetables and fruit, white for dairy products and confectionery accessories, grey or black for cleaning and waste. This coding prevents cross-contamination between accessories used for processing different food groups, which is particularly important during HACCP audits and sanitary inspections. BHS offers HACCP colour buckets in various capacities.

HoReCa usage scenarios

In a restaurant kitchen, a 10 L stainless steel bucket by the sink allows you to quickly collect fats and organic waste from cutting tasks without leaving them on the counter surface. In a canteen, coloured plastic buckets for washing vegetables by the sink are recognised at a glance — staff cannot mix up accessories for meat and vegetable processing. In a hotel catering department, larger 20–25 L buckets are used for storing broth bases or large quantities of marinade. Cleaning staff use grey buckets separately from those used in food areas.

Frequently asked questions

Which capacity should I choose? For everyday water transport and washing, a 10–12 L bucket is optimal. For storing large quantities of food, a 15–25 L bucket with a lid is suitable. For waste collection, it depends on the amount of waste, usually 10–20 L. BHS helps calculate the required quantity based on the size of your business.

Is a steel or plastic bucket better for a kitchen? A stainless steel bucket is more durable and hygienic — it does not retain odours, withstands hot water and aggressive disinfectants. A plastic bucket is lighter and more affordable but only suitable for lower temperatures and neutral liquids. Most professional kitchens use both types for different purposes. BHS provides advice on the optimal choice.

Why choose BHS?

BHS – Baltic HoReCa Solutions supplies professional equipment for restaurants, cafés, hotels and canteens: more than 20,000 products from many manufacturers. Our specialists help you choose the right equipment and spare parts for your kitchen or bar.

Delivery

We deliver across the European Union. Delivery time and cost depend on the order volume and destination — contact the BHS team for an exact price and lead time.