For any prepared individual or family, bulk food storage containers are going to be prized possessions especially if you are storing for use as well. Properly preparing for any uncertain future takes foresight and forward thinking. Let’s look at some things you will want to consider when looking for these containers.
Which foods store the best in bulk
The best foods to store in bulk are the ones that are dehydrated or processed to be stored for long periods of time.
For example: whole oats and flour are used in baking and store well for long periods of time if you can seal them in a mostly airtight container. Potato flakes will keep for quite a while but will require a completely airtight container to prevent going stale. Rice will keep practically forever and so will dehydrated beans and lentils.
Dehydrated fruits and nuts are good storables but require completely airtight containers because they also will go stale. Whatever you chose to store can also be used for everyday meals or baking and replaced as you use it.
Pastas and noodles will stay good almost forever except for the threat of going stale as well. Pancake, muffin and biscuit mix can be stored with much success as will cornmeal.
Spices will store exceptionally well and do not need giant storage containers. A little goes a long way when it comes to spices. All these things mentioned can be purchased in large bulk for a relatively good price.
Size and quality of containers
There are plenty of containers out there to chose from. Big and small. Clear and opaque. Plastic and metal.
Choosing the best container for the storables you chose to store is a matter of what you are going to put into them. Personally I choose to use 50 pound metal drums with an airtight clamp style lid with a trash bag lining the inside of it.
Plastic containers are very durable and the right design will be very airtight as well. And when you’re talking about emergency storable foods or even a bulk food storage that you are going to use and replace as needed, most types of plastic containers are going to be suitable. Most plastic containers will come with a Bpa free guarantee as well. There is much discussion about Bpa and what the chemical does to the human body so really it’s up to you’re judgment what you’re going to use.
Clear containers are going to let you see what’s inside but is it really all that important? You can just slap a label of some sort onto a granite style container so that you will know what it is for future use. Another thing to consider is that most kinds of light, even artificial light that mimics sunlight, can cause you’re stored foods to degrade or go stale slightly faster.
Containers that I recommend
Like I mentioned earlier, I use a metal barrel that has a 50 pound capacity with a clamp ring style sealing lid and lined the inside of the can with a trash bag to help with the freshness and separate the food from the metal.
Here is a blue 55 gallon plastic HDPE container with a clamp ring lid made by Eagle mfg, that will be excellent for bulk foods. Its protected from light sources and you don’t need to worry about a liner.
- Lab pack drum comes with a plastic lid and can be used to store dehydrated or processed foods and transport some materials.
- Made of blue HDPE, which weighs less than steel, is resistant to dents, punctures, and certain chemicals, and may be incinerated
- Metal lever-lock ring can be used to secure the lid to the drum
- Has 55-gallon storage capacity;
- Inside Dimensions – 20 1/16 (31cm) Top, 22 1/8 (56.2cm) Bottom, 35 13/16 (91cm) Height inches. Maximum Capacity – 552 Pounds ( 250 kg)
- Meets DOT regulation 173.12 and UN standards concerning the packaging and shipping of hazardous materials
Here is a 30 gallon blue plastic HDPE container with a clamp ring lid also made by Eagle mfg.
- Lab pack drum comes with a plastic lid and can be used to store dehydrated or processed foods and transport some materials.
- Made of blue HDPE, which weighs less than steel, is resistant to dents, punctures, and certain chemicals, and may be incinerated
- Metal lever-lock ring can be used to secure the lid to the drum
- Has 30-gallon storage capacity; weighs 15 lb.; measures approximately 28-1/2″ high and 21-1/4″ in diameter
- Meets DOT regulation 173.12 and UN standards concerning the packaging and shipping of hazardous materials
Good storage habits
If you want your Bulk foods to last as long as possible I would suggest getting some oxygen absorbers as well. They can be found for relatively cheap and will be effective in keeping you’re goods fresh longer.
If possible keep you’re Bulk food storage containers in a cool dry room like a cold storage or even a cool room in a basement.
Getting in the habit of keeping them sealed up at all times will protect the longevity of said storables depending on if you are taking from the container or not and also keep pests out of you’re supplies.
I hope that my recommendations prove to be most worthwhile for you and at the least helpful.
If you have any questions, comments or would like to leave a quick review of these products feel free to do so in the comment box below.
