tin storage bins

[urbankid12]

I been thinking of trying to find some tin storage bins to replace old broken plastic bins from the dollar store. The ones from the dollar store are always more V shaped than H shape so they always waste space which is a pet peeve of mine! I do always go for a good duffle bag when given the opportunity but my set up includes a lot of metal shelves that are best utilized with storage totes and instead of going cloth/cardboard I think tin is VERY thin, lightweight and strong.

Does anyone use tin bins already and have any thoughts? I imagine duck taping the edges for extra safety from cuts would be ideal, if not covering them to prevent excess heat from the sunlight might be a good idea as well..

I know some good wooden creates exist but from my experience having plastic create they do get beat up AND they do waste a lot of space at least 1 inch on each side! That adds up fast in a minivan!

I want to avoid something like the following:

https://hip2save.com/wp-content/upl...rage-containers.jpg?resize=1024,768&strip=all

 

[eDJ_]

If you look around, especially during the holiday season, you will see gift packages of Tea where the tea bags are in rectangular tin boxes that have the lid on the end. They are all the same size you would only need to apply a tape label on them and write the contents. Later thru the year you may find these in yard sales & flea markets.

An example:

https://www.amazon.com/New-English-...ocphy=9015895&hvtargid=pla-452855984870&psc=1

Tin Containers

 

[Matlock]

I purchased and used several sizes and types for parts storage in a large warehouse inventorys.
Tin of any grade is flimsy and easily bent, those with lids have rounded corners. You can buy good sturdy metal bins but prices are stupid high and weight is an issue.
Shop these folks.
MSC direct
ULine
Container store
Global Industrial
Grainger
Amazon
I have nothing metal save for my S&B. I am always on the look-out for square plastic containers with lids. I've yet to find any with square corners but many do have slightly rounded corners and straighter sides. Walmart is a good place to start for those also Office supply stores (both plastic version).
I'd recommend spending money on a more durable plastic version. I don't buy anything without a lid (I hate bugs and dust).
Some items store well in cloth or nylon bags with a tie-rope on one end. Stuff m anywhere.

just my 2¢

 

[flylo]

I love milk crates as they lock together when they stack. I bought 500 for $100, split them with a friend.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

You didn't specify sizes you are looking for.
First, forget dollar store plastic bins. they are very cheaply made and thin.

For small containers (under a gallon size) try Amazon.
You can also find rectangular tin containers at thrift stores; tea and Christmas cookies come in them.
Small size ammo cans too.

For medium sizes (less than 5 gallons) I use Sterillite bins; they have lasted 7+ years. With this size you loose more space with the lip than the taper.
Ammo cans are another option.

For large sizes, if you are very tight on space you can get creative in storing thin things between the bins. Or get industrial strength bins; but you will loose as much space with the external structural ribs.

Or you can make wooden boxes to any size/strength you need.

 

[BelgianPup]

Tin rusts easily.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

One thing I forgot about is the rectangular fabric covered collapsable bins sold at places like Target, Walmart, etc. Square sides so no wasted space between them; but I don't think they stack well. I've seen people carry them full of paper so they can carry a moderate amount of weight.

 

[user 22017]

Ikea has these wooden ones in different sizes:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/knagglig-box-pine-10292357/

 

[DougH71]

I'll second the use of milk crates. I have two in my van that contain all my kitchen gear. They fit neatly into a homemade shelving unit I found at a garage sale. Speaking of which, garage/yard sales are where I found most things in my van. Don't forget goodwill/salvation army/ restore.

 

[WanderingRose]

I’m with the “tin rusts” mindset.

It also scratches, dents and will contain moisture rather than allowing easy airflow and evaporation.

I think you will be happier in the long run with something else, like better quality plastic or milk crates.

 

[bullfrog]

Years ago as a Boy Scout project we made tubs out of cardboard glued together with a glue like todays Titebond III then covered them with heavy cloth and painted them. They were water tight so we not only used them for transporting pots and pans but as a sink to wash them. I imagine they would not be cost effective today but if you needed a custom sized container you might consider it.

 

[abnorm]

We like large tin cans to hold our chips and crackers.....Left in a bin they eventually crumble to dust

The Popcorn or Charlie Chip sized cans sit on open shelves with a TWIST.....I add a Harbor Freight magnet under each can.......screwed to the shelf the magnet holds a 50 lb load....Never lost a can !

 

[Ripper238]

Tin does not rust, it can oxidize though and the spot welds could rust. Depends on the composition.

You can wrap them in felt to make them slide out easer. Otherwise go with better quality plastic bins like others have said.

 

[WanderingRose]

I guess when I read the OP thinking of tin for storage, I didn’t think of things like chip cans but bins, square or rectangular, and open.

I think my preference would be orange crates for storage and organization, whatever inside to contain small bits is very individual.

I tend to take as much as I can out of original packaging, and get rid of the boxes, then put things into ziploc once opened.

 

[savana1957]

I'll second the use of milk crates. I have two in my van that contain all my kitchen gear. They fit neatly into a homemade shelving unit I found at a garage sale. Speaking of which, garage/yard sales are where I found most things in my van. Don't forget goodwill/salvation army/ restore.

Milk crates seem like they would be heavy no?

 

[WanderingRose]

Actually, they are no longer built to actually carry milk, and are very lightweight.

 

[DougH71]

Milk crates seem like they would be heavy no?

Mine are plastic. Not heavy at all.

 

[thebarefootbadger]

Nothing that hasn't been said, but unfortunately you get what you pay for. In the US, Rubbermaid is a good company for storage totes, I have some that are over 20 years old and going strong. I have also been considering "bus tubs" - the bins they use in restaurants to tote dirty dishes back to the kitchen. Some of them come with lids and they look extremely sturdy and durable. my favorite for looks and lightness are wicker baskets with cloth liners, but they can be, sadly, both expensive and not very durable.

 

[urbankid12]

...it's almost concerning how many times people suggest plastic totes, after ... I mention I'm looking for an alternative to plastic totes that waste space because they are V-shaped instead of U-shaped. Even the higher quality ones have wide lips on the top for the lid that prevent them from being right up against one another. Plus if you try to section them off on the insides with smaller squares you wasting even MORE space given they are rounded and oddly shaped there as well too! ...I think I'm going to look into either wine crates or making my own from thin wood or cardboard with ducktape?

I like zip-lock bags for food protection, it helps keep everything more individualized vs having the entire bin sealed up together. To each their own, but I just don't get why people overlook the inefficiencies of their shape and praise them so much as being a good value. I guess if you don't need to store them right next to each other the inefficiencies are not as obvious.

 

[WanderingRose]

Well, if you carry more compactly organized stuff, you need fewer crates or plastic storage containers.

The lid and lip do take up some space, but snap lids also keep out moisture, insects and rodents, can be cleaned easily and are durable.

You asked what people thought, and we’re telling you that.