Why are the tubs so small anyways?
As a temporary solution, I use bags (imagining them made of leather and actually able to containt water, hehehe). My character's got ten, each holds 21lbs. One bag usually is in inventory, the rest is on the ground. It's pretty handy, and as soon as your hideworking skill gets higher than ~85, the penalty from carrying the bag is insignificant.
Relating to this - it would be cool for table top contents to appear on the list menu when 'e'ating or 'q'uaffing.
It would be great, in terms of roleplaying, if a table works the same way as a cellar. This would be a reason to actually eat
at table, and a nice way to store cooked food.