Storage Question

[bmcneal]

I have been trying to do a lot more baking/cooking from scratch lately. The big 20/25 lb bags of flour/sugar/rice/etc. are *so* much cheaper than the little bags that we've been buying, and if we could get the big bags, it would save us a ton of money. The problem/My question is, where can I get the big containers to *store* it in? I've seen people who have pretty big containers, like huge tupperware/rubbermaid type containers, but I haven't found them anywhere. Any ideas on where I can get them? Or, what's your storage solution?

[Dandelionkid]

I would like to know too. I looked awhile ago for grain storage. The safest (in terms of sealing and material seemed to be the big, expensive cans from the emergency websites but they were too expensive for me. I ended up using rubbermaid.

[lmonter]

Got a local health food store or bread/mixer/Bosch shop or something?

I got our buckets (don't ask me how big they are, I forget - the big one is heavy as sin though), and the gamma seal lids from my local Bosch shop. Because they're nice, and had what we were looking for.

[skreader]

How big are you talking?

We buy our rice in 10 kg bags (~ 22 lbs) and keep it in a plastic pail under our sink.

So, I think that a nice plastic garbage pail w/ a fairly tight lid would do. Line it w/ a garbage bag & then put in your grains.

Just be careful of bugs (keep the area CLEAN) and use it up regularly. Several years ago we were not so careful about cleaning it between refills and got an infestation & had to throw out several kg of rice.

Originally Posted by Dandelionkid

I would like to know too. I looked awhile ago for grain storage. The safest (in terms of sealing and material seemed to be the big, expensive cans from the emergency websites but they were too expensive for me. I ended up using rubbermaid.

[velochic]

Make sure any plastic you use is food-grade. I store my grains in 5lb. buckets that I got for free from bakeries. Clean them out, air them out (sun, baking soda and vinegar will get the smell out), then store your grains. These are free and food-grade. You can buy gamma lids if you want (google for them), but I don't bother. I keep 5lbs. of grains in glass jars, so I don't need to access the buckets very often. You want to make sure that your storage is air-tight. Rubbermaid tubs aren't. Also, make sure you put your grains in the freezer for at least 48 hours before storing. It will kill anything you don't want in your grains (however, make sure that you keep them stored in air-tight containers or they will find their way back in).

[Merilin]

We have several buckets from Dunkin Donuts and the like, which these stores use to get their condinments in. Using any bucket can be unsafe, as these might not be foodgrade and contaminants might be leaking into your food.

I just clip our large rice bag closed (10kg as well). We do not have any problems with moths or rodents. The largest flour bag we have is 10pounds, I have never seen anything bigger, where do you buy these?

[Denvergirlie]

I get mine free from the grocery store bakery. They get large buckets of frosting and when they are empty they will give them to you if one asks. Take them home and clean them up good. They are food grade plastic with heavy duty lids.

We store cat food in them as well and can leave the extra full buckets outside and even the raccoons have not figured out how to open the lid and those buggers are crafty for sure.

I've know some people that have gotten old large pickle buckets from sub shops as well.

[mamayarn]

Originally Posted by Denvergirlie

I get mine free from the grocery store bakery. They get large buckets of frosting

Maybe this is the morning sickness talking, but ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I'm sorry I have nothing more useful to contribute!!

[Kyamo]

Originally Posted by Merilin

I just clip our large rice bag closed (10kg as well). We do not have any problems with moths or rodents. The largest flour bag we have is 10pounds, I have never seen anything bigger, where do you buy these?

Really? Every regular grocery store around here carries 10kg (22lb) bags of flour, usually 2-3 choices of brand, too.

But I was going to ask the same question about sugar. I've only ever seen the 2kg bags of sugar? (and how do you keep your sugar from going hard?)

[Denvergirlie]

Originally Posted by Kyamo

(and how do you keep your sugar from going hard?)

My sugar gets hard but only because I freeze all of it before it comes into the house. A minute in the food processor breaks it up just fine. Also, can put in plastic bag and smash it with a mallet and it will crumble into grains again.

[CarrieMF]

Really? Every regular grocery store around here carries 10kg (22lb) bags of flour, usually 2-3 choices of brand, too.

But I was going to ask the same question about sugar. I've only ever seen the 2kg bags of sugar? (and how do you keep your sugar from going hard?)

The same stores that carry the 10kg bags of flour carry the 10kg bags of sugar - superstore, loblows, extra foods, safeway, sobeys, etc.

We keep our flour & sugar in these http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid...d=HPProd260065 They hold approx 2.5-3 10kg bags of flour or sugar.

The sugar never goes hard, the lid is tight enough we never have bugs in it. I don't freeze my flour or sugar unless I've bought extra bags on sale & need to store it somewhere because my containers are full.lol I bought the containers at superstore.

[cristeen]

Most any restaurant, deli, bakery, etc., will tend to have plenty 5-6 gallon buckets piling up. They get mayo, shortening, pickles, frosting, etc., in them all the time. Call and ask for a manager and ask what they do with those buckets. Some places may reuse them, but most of them will just dump them. It may take a couple phone calls, but you can probably find a couple places that are willing to let you have them for free. You just have to go pick them up and give them a good scrubbing.

Barring that, if you have a restaurant supply store nearby, they'll often have something suitable available.

[polyhymnia]

I use large tupperware style containers that I got at Storables. The Container Store have some too. Just be sure they're approved for use on food. Mine are narrow and deep and tall, so I can fit 4 across in a tall-ish cupboard that I have.

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by Merilin

The largest flour bag we have is 10pounds, I have never seen anything bigger, where do you buy these?

If I'm not mistaken, Kroger has the big bags of flour. (Not sure, but we also have a membership to Sam's Club)

Originally Posted by Kyamo

But I was going to ask the same question about sugar. I've only ever seen the 2kg bags of sugar? (and how do you keep your sugar from going hard?)

I *know* Kroger has the big bags of sugar. They are the cheapest place I've found to buy it, actually, at least in the big bags.