I have several Sterlite containers (the big kinda khaki colored ones) that I have been using to store seasonal decorations. (Very important to morale in a survival situation ... I am SURE of it!! ) Any-hoooooo ... I would like to use some of these containers to store dried beans, flour, rice, other dried food products, etc. However, I am finding conflicting information as to whether these containers are food safe or not. My intent is to overwrap the original packaging (like foodsaver the 5 lb. flour bags) and put them in the containers. Any ideas?? Thanks!! BB
over time sterlite seems to become brittle... and dosen't seal well enough to keep pests and vermin out of it... if you have a spot to put it up that has some way of keeping mice/bugs out it should work as a keeper.... but time and weight may cause a structural failure on the container...
Thanks guys. These containers are gonna be stored in the house in a spare bedroom on shelving I have placed in there. I am just looking for a way to contain things like spaghetti, macaroni, rice, beans, etc. in the original packaging without taking up too much space or spending too much $$$s repackaging. This is for our backstock that is currently in rotation -- not the long-term stuff (past 2 years). One of these days when I feel like being frustrated beyond belief I will take pics and try to post them for ya! **shudder**
For storing speggetti, I am going to use a 5 gal bucked and pack it full, drop in a few oxy thingies and seal the lid. Would that help you out ?
Unfortunately, plastic pails allow oxygen to leak through the walls of the pail. Adding oxy absorbers might help for a short while, but they'll quickly be exhausted. Something you might consider doing is to use a 5 gal mylar pail liner inside the pails, put a couple sheets of paper towels in the bottom of the pail, load it with spaghetti, cover the top of the spaghetti with a couple more sheets of paper towel, add oxy absorbers, heat seal the liner. Paper towels will help prevent sharp spaghetti ends from puncturing the pail liner. Using a mylar liner in conjunction with oxy absorbers will give your preps a better shelf life (compared to just putting oxy absorbers in an unlined pail).
I do thank you guys for your comments but this storage is for my short-term supplies (2 year or less) that are in rotation. Although I know some people do it I can't see the added expense of using O2 absorbers and mylar bags on something I am gonna use well before it's "stale" date. For the things I have for long-term storage (usually more than 2 years), however, that is a different story.
I've kept sugar in a large plastic container rotating it about every year. I buy 25lbs at a time. I've kept iit in the house in my pantry with other food stuffs. I've not ever had any problem with bugs or mice. The sugar is just as good after a year as it was when I put it in the container.