How to Choose the Right Prep Tub Size

It's almost football season, which to us means it’s almost tailgating season. Our “kickoff” starts the night before the game with a brisket on the counter, a roll of butcher paper, a kitchen full of trimming knives and seasoning.

And here's the thing: if you're feeding a crowd, seasoning a 15-pound packer brisket on a cutting board the size of a placemat is a recipe for a big, juicy mess. There’s rub on the floor, trimmings sliding off the edge, and a fridge shelf you're wiping down at 11 p.m.

(Ask us how we know.)

Our prep tubs solve that problem by giving your meat, rubs, and marinades enough room to do their job without spilling everywhere. Drip EZ Collapsible BBQ Prep Tubs come in three sizes, and choosing the right one mostly depends on what you want to serve.

So let's get cooking!

Why Prep Tub Size Actually Matters

When it comes to barbecuing, it's all in the details, and that includes which size prep tub you reach for when you’re ready to start prepping. Matching the prep tub size to what you're cooking can be the difference between a clean, organized prep session and a countertop covered in seasoning, or a fridge too full to fit everything.

Here's a side-by-side look at all three Drip EZ Prep Tub sizes and what each one is built for:

Junior: 15.75" L x 12.5" W x 4.5" D

The Junior is the best size to keep on-hand for side dishes. (And, trust us, you can never have too many of them). Think fruits, veggies, and starches: chopped onions and peppers for a foil packet, a batch of prepped potatoes, or corn on the cob waiting for the grill. It's also the right call for quick single-portion preps, like a couple of chicken breasts, a small rack of baby-back ribs cut in half, or a handful of shrimp skewers, ready for a marinade.

If you're only feeding two or three people, or you're prepping a side dish, the Junior is the size that won't take up space you don't need. We recommend keeping multiple of these on hand! 

Original: 20" L x 16.25" W x 5.5" D

The Original is the Swiss Army knife of prep tubs, and the size most people choose for an everyday cook. It has the depth for marinades and the surface area for an even rub application without crowding the meat. This is the best size for a full rack of ribs, 4 to 6 bone-in chicken thighs or breasts, a trimmed pork shoulder before it goes on the smoker, or a couple of steaks or tri-tips getting a dry brine.

If you're not sure which size to start with, this is the one. It covers the widest range of everyday barbecue prep without needing a second tub.

XL: 22.5" L x 16.25" W x 5.5" D

The XL is built for the hosts and tailgaters. A whole pork butt, two whole chickens spatchcocked side by side, or a bulk batch of wings for a crowd all fit comfortably with room to work the rub in. And because it collapses down for easy transport, the XL doubles as a picnic or drink carrier once the grilling is done. 

If your cooks regularly involve whole cuts, bulk prep for a crowd, or you host cookouts often enough to want one tub that pulls double duty, the XL is a great choice.

Quick Decision Guide

• Prepping sides, veggies, or a quick single portion? Junior - Best Prep Tub for Chicken Wings
• Marinating, rubbing, or prepping an everyday family-size cook? Original - Best Prep Tub for Baby Back Ribs
• Trimming a brisket, prepping a whole pork butt, or feeding a crowd? XL - Best Prep Tub for Brisket

Built From Materials You Can Trust

Every Drip EZ Prep Tub, regardless of size, is made from premium BPA-free silicone and nylon. That means they’re designed to resist chemical leaching, so marinades, rubs, and raw meat stay in safe, food-grade contact from prep to storage.

Our BBQ Prep Tubs can also handle food temperatures up to 200°F straight from the oven or grill, giving you flexibility if you're moving hot food into them for a quick rest or transport.

A Few Important Notes

• The Prep Tub is not intended for use in an oven or on a grill — it's built to safely hold hot food, not to cook in.
• It hasn't been tested for sous vide cooking, so we can't recommend it for that use.
• Keep it away from direct heat sources and skip the microwave — it's not microwave-safe.

Prepping Made Simple, Cleanup Made Simpler

Every size collapses down flat for easy storage, so even the XL doesn't have to hog cabinet space between cookouts. When you're done, hand-wash with mild soap or toss it in the dishwasher… just skip harsh abrasives so the surface holds up, and dry thoroughly before collapsing for storage.

Ready to Prep Like You Mean It?

Whichever size fits your next cook, the BBQ Prep Tub keeps your counters clean and your cook organized from marinade to grill.

🛒  Shop the BBQ Prep Tub — Junior, Original & XL →