Plexon 20-Gallon Smooth Galvanized Steel Trash Can with Locking Lid, Silver, Made in USA Review (2026)

Who this steel can is for

This is Plexon's 20 gallon smooth galvanized steel trash can with a locking lid, made in the USA and sized to double as chicken feed storage rather than just household trash. It suits keepers who store feed in a barn, shed, or garage where rodents are a known problem, since galvanized steel resists the gnawing that plastic bins cannot stand up to. The 20 gallon size comfortably holds a large bag of feed with room to spare, and the round shape with wire handles makes it easier to move between a storage spot and the coop than a bulkier square bin. Keepers focused purely on moisture sealing in humid climates may want to pair this can with a liner or bag inside, since the lid is tight fitting rather than gasketed.

Build, capacity, and locking lid

The can is built from heavy duty galvanized steel, which the manufacturer markets as rodent proof, recyclable, and weather resistant, with a locking lid to keep raccoons and other animals from prying it open outdoors. It holds 20 gallons, with an approximate weight capacity up to 75 pounds depending on what is stored, and features an offset bottom that lifts the can slightly off the ground along with durable wire handles for carrying. The construction is described as fire resistant, a bonus if the can is used for ash disposal near a brooder heat source as well as feed storage. It is designed to handle rain, snow, and temperature swings, which matters for a can that may sit outdoors or in an unheated shed year round.

Setting it up and using it for feed storage

Getting it ready for feed storage is simple: pour a bag directly in or drop a sealed bag inside for extra protection, then secure the locking lid to deter both rodents and larger animals like raccoons. The offset bottom and wire handles make it manageable to shift around a feed room or garage without needing a dolly, and the round shape means it stores upright without needing much clearance. Because the lid is a tight, locking fit rather than a threaded, gasketed seal, keepers in very humid or rainy climates may still notice some moisture creep over long storage periods, so checking feed periodically for clumping is worth doing. Wiping the galvanized surface occasionally helps it keep its clean, rust-resistant look over years of use.

How it compares with an airtight plastic option

Against the Gamma2 Vittles Vault, which fits the same rough range of feed and offers a genuinely airtight, gasketed lid, this Plexon can trades some moisture sealing for much stronger resistance to chewing pests. In a dry storage area with no rodent pressure, the Vittles Vault likely keeps feed fresher for longer thanks to its sealed design. In a barn or shed where mice or rats are a real risk, this galvanized can is the safer bet, since no amount of sealing helps once a rodent has chewed through a plastic wall. Keepers who have dealt with both problems sometimes use a metal can as the outer layer with a sealed bag inside for the best of both worlds.

Verdict and who should consider other options

This steel can is a strong pick for keepers whose main concern is rodents or larger pests getting into stored feed, especially in an outdoor or semi-outdoor storage spot. The locking lid, offset bottom, and made in USA galvanized construction back up the pest resistant claims well. Keepers in very humid climates whose top priority is an airtight seal against moisture, rather than pest resistance, may get more consistent freshness from a gasketed plastic container instead. For most backyard setups balancing durability, pest resistance, and reasonable capacity, though, this can is a dependable feed storage upgrade over a bag left on the floor.

Frequently asked questions