If you want small pick up a first need XL ($100) and cartridges. I use one of them now and was using some Katadyn bottles when fishing, but got tired of the iodine taste (screw carrying water when you're next to a stream/river/pond) and haven't gotten sick. It's just 2 of us so I figure a small hand filter will be good enough for drinking and cooking.



For volume you might consider the pur packets. They cost about $15 for a 6 pack (30 gallons). It's cheap if you don't want to spend the money on something you think you might never use, but after living in some hurricane areas I think everyone should at least have a couple of the small hand pumps if nothing else.

BTW the white buckets and home depot/lowes/walmart are usually food grade. Also ask the deli/bakery when you go grocery shopping you might can score some free ones.