Playing with mud can be fun, but it can also be frustrating during a home renovation project. You need to right tools to help you put up and finish drywall correctly. These mud pans are designed to help even the most novice of mudders get more mud on the walls and less on you. Here are our top picks.
This drywall mud pan is a good size for most mudders because it fits standard-sized mudding knives including 12-inch finishing knives needed for applying final, smooth coats. This pan is made from rust-proof galvanized steel with leak-proof seams. It includes a lifetime warranty.
While steel pans last longer, plastic ones are less expensive. This one from Edward Tools is just as reliable as its stainless steel model. The edges are lined with steel bars to make it easier and more efficient when scrapping your knife blades. This mud pan is 12-inches long, perfect for using along with most mudding knives.
The contoured shape of this mud pan makes it easier to hold while mixing and scooping out mud. Its straight edges are good for cleaning off knives while the 16-inch length holds longer mud knives that cover larger areas at a time.
This large mud pan works with extra-large drywall knives to cover bigger areas more quickly. Specialty shaped knives also work well with the ToolPro 18-inch mud pan. The stainless steel finish means it will last a long time without rusting through, and the straight edges make it easy to scrape and clean your knives in between uses.
The unique feature of this steel drywall mad pan is the rubber grip at the bottom. This helps you keep a firm hold of the pan throughout your drywall project. Standard drywall knives fit easily in this pan including finishing coat knives because of its standard 14-inch length.
What you need for your mud
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Most drywall projects need a pan a minimum of 14-inches long. This is because the finishing knife used on projects is 12 inches long and there needs to be enough room for it to scoop mud out of the pan. The Edward Tools steel mud tray is a popular choice that is long enough to hold a finishing coat knife. However, if you want to save a few pennies, you can go with the plastic drywall mud pan, also from Edward Tools. This pan still has steel bars around the edges for scrapping your knife clean.