Food Storage Containers

Always store your bulk foods in appropriate food storage containers. I have seen literally tons and tons of food thrown away because they were left in sacks, where they became highly susceptible to moisture, insects, and rodents. Keeping your food storage safe and edible is just as important as aquiring it.

If you are using plastic buckets make sure they are lined with a food grade Metalized Foil Bucket Liners available in both zip-lock and sealable varieties.

Never use trash can liners as these are treated with pesticides.

Here are some easy-to-follow instructions on how to pack your bulk food storage containers and seal the foil bucket liners to achieve the best results.

This video shows you how to pack one bucket with several food types so that you can use and rotate your storage without opening several sealed buckets. Excellent idea!

If you live in an earthquake-prone area, don't stack them too high as they may topple, the lids pop open, or they may crack. Also a good container is the #10 tin can which most preparedness companies use when they package their foods. These can be used in a rotation shelving unit.

There are storage containers of every size, shape, and material to choose from. What you use will depend on how much of each item you have to store and the type of food. Only food-grade, airtight, moisture-proof, puncture-proof containers are acceptable for storing food.

Container Options

  • Quart jars with lids
  • Gallon jars with lids glass or plastic
  • No. 10 cans with tight-fitting lids
  • Coffee cans/ shortening cans with lids
  • Old-fashioned canisters with tight-fitting lids
  • Medium to large plastic buckets with lids (Use only food grade buckets which should have HDP2 on the bottom.)
  • Plastic containers such as Tupperware, Rubbermaid, etc.

Optimal Canned & Dry Food Storage Conditions:

Cool
35° to 70°
(cooler is better)

Dry
50% to 70% humidity

You may store food in less-than-optimum conditions, but it must be used sooner.

This chart will help you calculate the approximate number of bulk food storage containers you will need.

ITEM

# of 5-Gal. Containers Needed per 50 lbs. Purchased

Rolled oats

2

Wheat, whole grains

1-1/2

Lentils

1-1/2

Beans, peas

1-1/2

Soup mix, dry

1-1/2

Macaroni

1-1/2

Noodles

6

Flour

2

Sugar

2

After deciding what type of bulk food to store, the information here will hopefully help you choose the sizes and types of food storage containers for your needs.

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Mountain House freeze dried food
Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
No containers to worry about with freeze-dried food.

Bulk Food Storage Containers come in many sizes and materials.

6-gallon bucket for bulk foods
6 gallon buckets can be used for packing a wide range of items including food storage reserves like bulk purchases of wheat, flour, beans, sugar, etc., potting soil, bulk laundry soap, 72 hour emergency supplies, etc. Each bucket includes a water-tight gasketed lid. Stock-Up!

gamma seal lids
Gamma Seal Lids - Twist On/Off Bucket Lid come in red, blue, yellow, black and white. No more broken nails trying to get the lid off - they twist right off. This makes them perfect for rotating your food supplies - just snap the adapter ring on and twist - and they're re-sealed.

metalized bucket liner
Metalized Ziplock Foil Bucket Liners are a new product. They simply ziplock to close - just like any ziplock bag. Easy!