I'd like some feedback and opinions. I need to replace the water container I am currently using for a sink/open water bucket.

What does everyone prefer for a container to be used to (a) wash dishes (b) rinse fish fillets (c) wash yourself (d) douse the campfire, etc?

I would like to pack along only one such container. Do I go with short and wide, as in a sink, or tall like a bucket? (both collapsible)

Thanks

To answer your question, dishes get washed in a collapsable bucket, fish get washed in the lake and into fry pan, I jump into the lake from June to Sept with no soap, fire does not get left to burn itself out, I use the collapsable bucket to put out.

quote Savage Voyageur: "To answer your question, dishes get washed in a collapsable bucket, fish get washed in the lake and into fry pan, I jump into the lake from June to Sept with no soap, fire does not get left to burn itself out, I use the collapsable bucket to put out. "

What SV said. I own this one from Seattle Sports .

quote Savage Voyageur: "To answer your question, dishes get washed in a collapsable bucket, fish get washed in the lake and into fry pan, I jump into the lake from June to Sept with no soap, fire does not get left to burn itself out, I use the collapsable bucket to put out. "

Ditto. Collapsible Bucket Used is a Sea to Summit Folding Kitchen Sink

My favorite, Sea To Summit bucket. Light weight and packs SMALL!

butthead

Fillets gets washed in one of the pots, I carry a ice cream pail that typically contains all of the little odds & ends but has done double duty for washing dishes in the past. I got a kelty camp sink last year, and while it's probably a little on the large side for some for a bwca trip I personally don't mind the extra bulk.

I have been real disappointed in the "Sea to Summit" sinks. I can't keep the sides from collapsing.

So. I took one of those Coleman, collapsable water containers. You know the ones, they hold about 3 gallons, and they scrunch up when not in use. I cut the top off. Viola, instant sink, but folds down when not in use.

I use a 12" x 7" PVC-coated collapsible military surplus sink. A little on he small side but it works.

I’ve also had trouble with spillage using a fabric collapsible "water tote". The one I have is stout in shape and holds about 3 gallons. I bought it primarily for bathing. Because of that I will continue using the largest of my nesting cook pots for all those chores while camping in the BWCAW. While car camping I use a cheap plastic dishpan.

Biggest cook pot does it all.

Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate all the input. I run solo, use a kayak and pack small. This means I need something larger than my largest cooking pot. I do see how that would work for those carrying a large pot.

I've had some spillage issues in the past with the collapsible bucket I was using, hence my inquiry as to preferences.

Right now I am leaning towards the 5 liter Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink.

Kitchen Sink

It should be big enough for solo use and be less prone to spills. (I hope)

quote awbrown: "I have been real disappointed in the "Sea to Summit" sinks. I can't keep the sides from collapsing.

So. I took one of those Coleman, collapsable water containers. You know the ones, they hold about 3 gallons, and they scrunch up when not in use. I cut the top off. Viola, instant sink, but folds down when not in use. "

I am curious about your bad experience. I have two Sea to Summit Sinks and the sides hold well. But I have noticed that they really do need to be on a fairly flat surface to distribute the water pressure evenly. Too much of a tilt will cause them to spill.

I like how fast I can scoop water out of a lake and then retreat to the cozy camp to sit and use the water filter (without having to balance precariously on a rock) in comfort to fill water containers.

I also use mine as a reservoir from which to pump water. Scoop water from the lake, then carry up into camp and sit on a log or chair to pump water. Beats trying to do it next to shore, plus the water is cleaner when scooping it from the middle of the lake.

One less thing to carry. Always just washed them in the water. With sand, no soap. One pot one skillet two small bowls that's it.

like others, i use this ....only for filtering water though. its been a great piece of gear for me.

quote gutmon: "Biggest cook pot does it all."

It's all that's needed.

Like most others here I use the Sea to Summit for most of our trips, but switch it out for the larger Seattle Sports for our large group trips.

I always bring two of either size. One to wash and one to rinse.

quote Jackfish: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "To answer your question, dishes get washed in a collapsable bucket, fish get washed in the lake and into fry pan, I jump into the lake from June to Sept with no soap, fire does not get left to burn itself out, I use the collapsable bucket to put out. "

What SV said. I own this one from Seattle Sports ."

Me too.

quote mc2mens: "

quote Jackfish: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "To answer your question, dishes get washed in a collapsable bucket, fish get washed in the lake and into fry pan, I jump into the lake from June to Sept with no soap, fire does not get left to burn itself out, I use the collapsable bucket to put out. "

What SV said. I own this one from Seattle Sports ."

Me too."

+2 The collapsable bucket is all I use.

I have always used only the pots in my mess gear for these chores.
I did recently purchase a used Granite Gear collapsible sink that I will be taking on future trips.

Last year I packed this bucket which I picked up at the local TSC. Like! Advantages of stability/scoops water nicely/over-the-head drench after sponge bath and it packed well in the 30L blue barrel. It's roughly 7"H x 7"D. Weight is negligible. The seattle sports collapsible gets packed but the small bucket trumps.

A regular Rubbermaid dish pan. Rides in the bottom of the pack providing sturdy protection for a few items while taking up very little extra space for itself. Handy for all sorts of needs around camp. Sorry, can't see the need for a specialized piece of camping gear for this one.

Use the biggest pot for washing. The rinsing is done with The Sun Shower, warms up nice for a warm shower a few days into a trip. Leave it in the sun then carry it away from shore, shampoo and soap and you feel like brand new.

JB

Neither. I use my Ti pot and/or cereal bowl for cleaning up and washing fish. I also bring an empty 1-gal plastic milk or Sunny Delight jug (tied to the bow or stern) for filtering drinking water or dousing the fire.

I'm really surprised that so many of you bring a specialized piece of equipment like a sink. I just don't get it. Now, if someone tells me that their sink also works well as a drift sock I MIGHT consider it.

quote gutmon: "I'm really surprised that so many of you bring a specialized piece of equipment like a sink. I just don't get it."

I'll weigh in on the "why"...

First off, it's the size. It's simply larger and easier to use for scooping and carrying water from the lake and for using as a sink. Secondly, it stands up nicely when in use. It's also lightweight and crushes down to nearly nothing in the pack.

I do store some gear items inside the sink when it's in the pack. Keeps them well organized. Obviously, we don't store sharp objects in it.

Schweady's idea of a rubbermaid dish pan made some sense to me, too. A hard plastic pan in the bottom of the pack with gear inside has some benefits.

quote gutmon: "I'm really surprised that so many of you bring a specialized piece of equipment like a sink. I just don't get it. Now, if someone tells me that their sink also works well as a drift sock I MIGHT consider it."

It also could act as a sea anchor. Mine doubles as the required bailer in Canada. Being solo I don't have three hands to bail and if stuff gets difficult I get to shore quick (never had to empty the boat yet).

The sink also doubles as a hair wash station. Holds more than a pot. Lots of times the water is just too cold north of 52 to be interested in in lake immersion.

quote gutmon: "I'm really surprised that so many of you bring a specialized piece of equipment like a sink. I just don't get it. Now, if someone tells me that their sink also works well as a drift sock I MIGHT consider it."

My Ursak fits inside the bucket which fits inside my daypack, working like a pack organizer (room for axe, saw and other thin packed items), it's handy for foraging, berries and fire building materials, it would work as a drift sock, makes a GREAT beer and ice container for those walk up campsites in state/fed campgrounds, also makes a fantastic rain hat!

butthead

quote butthead: "

quote gutmon: "I'm really surprised that so many of you bring a specialized piece of equipment like a sink. I just don't get it. Now, if someone tells me that their sink also works well as a drift sock I MIGHT consider it."

My Ursak fits inside the bucket which fits inside my daypack, working like a pack organizer (room for axe, saw and other thin packed items), it's handy for foraging, berries and fire building materials, it would work as a drift sock, makes a GREAT beer and ice container for those walk up campsites in state/fed campgrounds, also makes a fantastic rain hat!

butthead"

I'm sorry.. LOL the hat bit is funny. Wearing a larger Sea to Summit sink as a rainhat would work but that I Love Lucy episode of the burlap sacks and feed bag hats comes to mind..

I am with Schweady and Gutmon. I use a Rubbermaid tub. I put that in the bottom of a plastic box with the hinges on the side. The original use of the box was to pick orders from a warehouse. The plastic box is used as a table. All of that fits in a Kondos #4 pack.

The number of opinions on this topic is pretty interesting.