The multiple containers is there so you can separate the crickets by size. Even if you don't plan on breeding thousands upon thousands at any given time, you still need three containers. You might be able to get away with not having an incubator, but that makes it easier. (Edit: you could probably do alright with TWO containers plus an incubator, if you're willing to mix medium/small, medium/large; If you really need to downsize)

If you don't want to use those humongous tubs, try it with 10 gal. aquariums instead. Either way, it's going to take up space. If you aren't spending more than $5 a week on crickets, breeding is probably more hassle than it's worth, IMO.