Buckets or #10 Cans

[tcbiesinger]

We are starting to get our long term food storage. As I look at prices of things, I see many things that I can buy for cheaper at various stores than the LDS Cannery offers them, but then I have to package them myself. In the cases where this is still less money, is it worth it to package things in the large plastic buckets and buy it for less, or should I pay more to get it in the cans. I want value, but I also want it to last.

In particular, I am wondering about things like pasta, rice, and sugars.

Any suggestions would be great.

[j-me]

I know that I like the big buckets. The gamma lids for them are a little expensive but I like them because it's so much easier to use your food storage with them. Especially with things that you'll use like sugar, flour, pasta, rice, etc.

[marca]

exactly what are gamma lids and why are they better than regualar lids?
Thanks!

[happymom]

And where do you buy gamma lids?

[scrap4fam]

I do buckets for lots of things--that I use a lot. I use cans for things that I'm not rotating as quickly.
A gamma lid is a lid that stays on the bucket but the middle part unscrews so it comes off easily. Gamma lids are sold lots of places: most associated food stores carry them, anywhere you can get food storage products. HTH

[barginhunter]

you can get buckets(and lids) for cheap at Farrs Ice cream then just buy one gamma lid and put it on the bucket you are using. This is assuming you will have more than one bucket of each thing

[tcbiesinger]

So do the items store as long in buckets as in #10 cans?

[jlmanoo]

Sorry, I can I hijack your thread a minute.

I placed an order for 5 gallon storage buckets on KSL and had an order of 40 buckets for my ward, well, I have had 10 buckets cancel. Is any one interested in them. They are $2.50 each or 5 for $10.00. I don't know how to link the ad. I am picking them up in Orem about 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 19th. LMK.

Thanks. For letting me hijack.

[tcbiesinger]

You have a PM.

Sorry, I can I hijack your thread a minute.

I placed an order for 5 gallon storage buckets on KSL and had an order of 40 buckets for my ward, well, I have had 10 buckets cancel. Is any one interested in them. They are $2.50 each or 5 for $10.00. I don't know how to link the ad. I am picking them up in Orem about 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 19th. LMK.

Thanks. For letting me hijack.

[fanofvintage]

So do the items store as long in buckets as in #10 cans?

No, items in the buckets do not last as long as in the #10 cans with an oxy pack in them. Only plan on storing what you can use short term (about a year) in the buckets. With proper storage in the #10 cans with an oxy pack, the food can be used for up to 30 years...not in prime condition but it will sustain life.
You can see the new storage facts at www.providentliving.org .

[Utahmamma]

No, items in the buckets do not last as long as in the #10 cans with an oxy pack in them. Only plan on storing what you can use short term (about a year) in the buckets. With proper storage in the #10 cans with an oxy pack, the food can be used for up to 30 years...not in prime condition but it will sustain life.
You can see the new storage facts at www.providentliving.org .


Actually, items like grains and beans will store as long in plastic buckets if they are properly prepared. Here are the instructions from providentliving.org (http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/96278_PlasticBucketStorageInstructions_v4_pdf.pdf) . They didn't give a lot of information about it but if you google some of the key terms you'll get some good info. (I think I googled "dry ice" "wheat" and "storage" all together... it was a few months ago now.) HTH! :)

[fanofvintage]

Actually, items like grains and beans will store as long in plastic buckets if they are properly prepared. Here are the instructions from providentliving.org (http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/96278_PlasticBucketStorageInstructions_v4_pdf.pdf) . They didn't give a lot of information about it but if you google some of the key terms you'll get some good info. (I think I googled "dry ice" "wheat" and "storage" all together... it was a few months ago now.) HTH! :)

Utahmamma, I am speaking from personal experience, and I have learned a lot over the last 30 years of storing food. Especially with the beans. They get so hard it is impossible to reconsititute them, even using baking soda, soaking ,pressure cooking, etc. Wheat in the buckets with the dry ice would kill off weevels, but not necessarily affect the length of storage. Things like pasta, rice and oats start to become rancid after a year or so unless they are stored with an oxypack. I have stored LOTS of food in the buckets, and have reconsidered any long term food storage in buckets. I have my storage in a cool, dry, dark part of the basement. I have pitched pasta and rice after 1-2 years (bucket stored) because of the taste. I guess we could still eat it, but it is not palatible. I am not saying that after 30 years your rice is going to be great stored in the #10 can with an oxypack, but it will sustain life. Sugar will still be good stored in a plastic bucket after 10 years ( I still have some I need to use). My caution to all is be careful when storing lots of food that will last you more than a year in the buckets. You might not want to use it when the time comes!!

Edit: If I sound hacked off, it is not at you, Utahmama! I am hacked off at how much food I have wasted/thrown out! I only want others to learn from my mistakes in this area. Ok, lamaze breathing for me, LOL!

[HollyH]

Okay, after the great weevil drama of last week, I think I am almost ready to bring my pantry stuff off from the back porch. I am trying to get rid of all paper and plastic packaging (or at least most of it). My friend that works at a restaurant has given me two 5 gallon buckets that were used for pickles. My question is this, how do I get rid of the pickle smell now? I spent about 20 minutes scrubbing with dawn, and there is still a faint dilly odor. Is there more I should do before putting in my flour? TIA

[fanofvintage]

Okay, after the great weevil drama of last week, I think I am almost ready to bring my pantry stuff off from the back porch. I am trying to get rid of all paper and plastic packaging (or at least most of it). My friend that works at a restaurant has given me two 5 gallon buckets that were used for pickles. My question is this, how do I get rid of the pickle smell now? I spent about 20 minutes scrubbing with dawn, and there is still a faint dilly odor. Is there more I should do before putting in my flour? TIA

Wow, good luck on getting rid of the pickle smell. However, that said, try a paste of baking soda in the buckets and see if that does the trick. Let it sit the bucket for the day, then wash them out.