How many pieces are in The Chum Bucket?

The Chum Bucket contains 337 pieces.

What age is The Chum Bucket recommended for?

This set is recommended for ages 7-12.

When was The Chum Bucket released?

The Chum Bucket was released in 2007.

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🏛 SpongeBob SquarePants

Set #4981

The Chum Bucket

Name: The Chum Bucket
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 4981-1
Rating: 4.7 (3 reviews)

The Chum Bucket is a delightfully quirky representation of SpongeBob's culinary nemesis.

🏆 Best For: Ideal for SpongeBob fans of all ages, especially those who enjoy playful and cartoon-accurate models. ⏱ 3 hr build 🧩 337 pcs 🎂 Ages 7+

★★★☆☆ 3.7 from 3 reviews

Fans appreciate the set's faithful recreation of the Chum Bucket and its quirky details, although some find the build repetitive and the price a bit high for the piece count. The unique SpongeBob minifigure is a major draw for collectors.

MSRP

$34.99

Best Price

$31.49

You Save

10% OFF

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📝 Our Take

The Chum Bucket is a delightfully quirky representation of SpongeBob's culinary nemesis. Capturing the essence of Plankton's less-than-successful restaurant, the set is packed with fun details and play features that bring the cartoon to life in brick form.

This set is perfect for SpongeBob SquarePants fans and collectors looking for a unique piece of Bikini Bottom. The build is engaging and offers a nostalgic trip for those who grew up watching the show, while the play features add an interactive element for younger builders.

Skip this if you're strictly after complex building techniques or hyper-realistic models. This set prioritizes cartoon accuracy and playability over intricate design, so consider larger modular buildings or Technic sets for a more challenging build.

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How does The Chum Bucket compare to other SpongeBob SquarePants LEGO sets in terms of collectibility? What are some creative ways to expand the set's play features or modify its design? Is this set a good investment for LEGO collectors, considering its retired status and theme popularity? How durable is the set for play, and are there any known structural weaknesses?

🧱 Building Experience

🧩

337

Pieces

⏱

Build Time

📊

Intermediate

Difficulty

👤

7-12

Ages

Build Highlights:

Recreating the iconic Chum Bucket interior with its wacky equipment.
Building Plankton's Burger Walker and Robot SpongeBob.
Incorporating play features like the brainwasher and Krabby Patty analyzer.
Displaying the set alongside other SpongeBob-themed LEGO sets.

📈 Investment Analysis

↑ Trending up since release

Investment Grade

⏳ Appreciating

The Chum Bucket (4981-1) presents a mixed investment opportunity. As a retired set from a popular licensed theme, it benefits from nostalgia and demand from collectors. The set's relatively low piece count might limit its appreciation potential compared to larger, more complex sets. However, its unique subject matter and the enduring popularity of SpongeBob SquarePants could drive value in the long term. The rising price trend suggests growing interest, but potential investors should monitor the market closely for price fluctuations and consider the set's condition and completeness.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

📖 About This Set

At the Chum Bucket, Plankton hatches his evil plans to steal the Krabby Patty recipe. With the help of his computer, he'll use his spinning brainwasher, the Krabby Patty analyzer and even a robotic SpongeBob to get it! Includes SpongeBob and Plankton, plus Plankton's Burger Walker, Robot SpongeBob and a robot customer!

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

Good Krusty Krab Adventures

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Undersea Party

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SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom Undersea Party

SpongeBob SquarePants • 494 pcs

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Compared to other SpongeBob SquarePants LEGO sets, The Chum Bucket stands out for its focus on Plankton's world and his scheming nature. While it may not have the same widespread appeal as sets featuring SpongeBob himself, it offers a unique perspective on the show's dynamic. Collectors interested in completing their Bikini Bottom collection will find this set essential. Sets like the Krusty Krab (if available) offer a complementary experience.

1 Minifigures Included

SpongeBob Squarepants with Wide Eyes and Open Mouth, Scared

3 parts

The SpongeBob Squarepants minifigure with wide eyes and a scared expression is unique to this set, adding to its collectibility for fans of the show.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 98 unique parts • 324 total pieces

Panel 1 x 2 x 3 [...

Part #: 2362b 1× White

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 1× Trans-Neon Green

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 2× White

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2420 1× Blue

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 1× White

Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...

Part #: 2436 2× Black

Slope Inverted 75...

Part #: 2449 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Brick 1 x 1 x 5 w...

Part #: 2453a 4× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 2540 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 2654 2× Tan

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 2817 1× Light Bluish Gray

Lever Small Base ...

Part #: 298c02 2× Light Bluish Gray

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 1× White

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 1× Yellow

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 3× Dark Bluish Gray

Brick 1 x 1

Part #: 3005 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Brick 1 x 8

Part #: 3008 2× Light Bluish Gray

Brick 1 x 6

Part #: 3009 4× Light Bluish Gray

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 1× Blue

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 1× Green

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 2× Black

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 3× White

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 1× Yellow

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 5× White

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 1× Reddish Brown

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 12× Blue

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 2× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 4 x 4

Part #: 3031 2× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 2 x 8

Part #: 3034 1× Blue

Brick Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 30361c 1× Dark Bluish Gray

Bar 4L (Lightsabe...

Part #: 30374 1× Trans-Red

Arm Mechanical wi...

Part #: 30377 6× Black

Slope 45° 2 x 2 w...

Part #: 3039pr0002 1× White

Slope 45° 2 x 1 w...

Part #: 3040b 2× Black

Slope 45° 2 x 2 D...

Part #: 3045 4× Green

Wedge Plate 4 x 4...

Part #: 30503 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 9× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 1× Black

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062bpr9998 1× Sand Green

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068b 7× Blue

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 1× White

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 1× Red

Tile 1 x 2 with '...

Part #: 3069bpr0100 1× Green

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 2× Trans-Green

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 2× Trans-Red

Technic Axle Conn...

Part #: 32039 2× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 32064b 4× Dark Red

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 32064b 4× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Axle 5

Part #: 32073 4× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Bush 1/2 ...

Part #: 32123b 2× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 32192 4× Dark Bluish Gray

Technic Pin Conne...

Part #: 32530 2× Red

Plate 1 x 8

Part #: 3460 1× Black

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 8× Blue

Tyre 15 x 6 Offse...

Part #: 3641 4× Black

Technic Pin witho...

Part #: 3673 2× Light Bluish Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3679 1× Light Bluish Gray

Part #: 3710 1× White

Brick 1 x 3 x 5 w...

Part #: 3755a 4× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3794a 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3794a 5× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3794a 3× Black

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 1× White

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3937 1× White

Brick Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 3941 1× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 3941 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Dish 4 x 4 Invert...

Part #: 3960 1× White

Part #: 40490 2× Blue

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4085c 2× Red

Tile Round 2 x 2 ...

Part #: 4150 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 8 x 8

Part #: 41539 2× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 8 with G...

Part #: 4162 2× Blue

Wedge Plate 4 x 2...

Part #: 41769 1× Blue

Wedge Plate 4 x 2...

Part #: 41770 1× Blue

Technic Pin 1/2

Part #: 4274 1× Blue

Technic Axle Pin ...

Part #: 43093 2× Blue

Support Round 1 x...

Part #: 43888 4× Dark Blue

Dish 3 x 3 Invert...

Part #: 43898pr0002 1× Tan

Technic Axle 3

Part #: 4519 2× Light Bluish Gray

Equipment Frying Pan

Part #: 4528 1× Pearl Light Gray

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 1× Green

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 1× Trans-Neon Green

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 4600 2× Light Bluish Gray

Wheel 8 x 6

Part #: 4624 4× Light Bluish Gray

Helmet, Sports, w...

Part #: 46303 1× Light Bluish Gray

Pneumatic T-Piece...

Part #: 4697b 1× Light Bluish Gray

Bar 1 x 3 [Clip /...

Part #: 4735 4× Light Bluish Gray

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 2× Trans-Red

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 2× Trans-Neon Green

Door 1 x 4 x 5 Le...

Part #: 47899c04 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 48336 2× Tan

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 48336 13× Blue

Panel 1 x 2 x 2 [...

Part #: 4864b 2× Trans-Clear

Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [...

Part #: 4865a 1× Red

Wedge Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 51739 1× White

Panel 1 x 6 x 5

Part #: 59349 5× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 6019 26× Black

Bar 7 x 3 with Do...

Part #: 6020 1× Light Bluish Gray

Sticker Sheet for...

Part #: 60497 1× [No Color/Any Color]

Brick Curved 2 x ...

Part #: 6081 4× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Curved 1 x ...

Part #: 6091 6× Light Bluish Gray

Wedge Plate 6 x 6...

Part #: 6106 4× Light Bluish Gray

Hinge Brick 2 x 2...

Part #: 6134 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 1× Red

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 1× Reddish Brown

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 5× Yellow

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 4× Lime

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 1× White

Part #: 6256 1× Medium Orange

Cylinder Half 2 x...

Part #: 6259 1× Trans-Light Blue

Cylinder Half 2 x...

Part #: 6259 1× White

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 6541 2× Yellow

Technic Axle 3 wi...

Part #: 6587 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Door 1 x 4 x 5 Ri...

Part #: 73194c04 1× Light Bluish Gray

Hinge Plate 1 x 4...

Part #: 73983 12× Blue

Hinge Plate 1 x 4...

Part #: 73983 2× White

The set offers a good selection of blue and light bluish gray elements, useful for general building and MOCs. The inclusion of multiple hinge plates and clip elements provides opportunities for creating dynamic and posable structures.

🛒 Where to Buy

LEGO (UK)

✓ In Stock

£24.49

eBay

✓ In Stock

$31.49 →

Walmart

✓ In Stock

$33.24

Target

✓ In Stock

$34.99

LEGO (US)

✓ In Stock

$34.99

Amazon

Check price

→

💎 Notable Parts

Black Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Horizontal [Thick U Clip] (26x) $3.90

Blue Plate Special 1 x 2 [Side Handle Closed Ends] (13x) $1.95

Blue Hinge Plate 1 x 4 Swivel Top / Base - Solid Clip [Complete Assembly] (12x) $3.60

Black Arm Mechanical with 2 Clips [Battle Droid] (6x) $1.80

Light Bluish Gray Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top (6x) $1.20

Est. BrickLink Part Value

$12.45

💡 MOC Potential

🏙 Expand Bikini Bottom with other locations like the Krusty Krab or Sandy's Treedome.

🤖 Create larger, more elaborate robots for Plankton's schemes.

🚗 Design custom Chum Bucket delivery vehicles.

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

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Inventory Statistics

Unique Parts

324

Total Pieces

Minifigures

Inventory Version: 1

Welcome to the Chum Bucket!Home of Plankton's Failed Schemes

The Chum Bucket

📝 Our Take

Ask BlockTalk about this set

🧱 Building Experience

📈 Investment Analysis

📖 About This Set

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

1 Minifigures Included

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 98 unique parts • 324 total pieces

🛒 Where to Buy

💎 Notable Parts

💡 MOC Potential

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Community Insights

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Welcome to the Chum Bucket!
Home of Plankton's Failed Schemes