Need Food Storage Help!

[beka1977]

Okay, I would like to buy flours, sugar, other dry ingredients in bulk. I have been looking and looking for buckets to store the food. (This has been much harder than I expected!)

I want to store the food in my garage, and want to avoid getting any bugs. I don't want to beg for pickle buckets or spend $250 per bucket. I am thinking about these : http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...duct%5Fid=9715

Do those look okay? Is there something better? A safer plastic or something? How many of these buckets do you think I will need per 25 or 50 lb bag of flour.

Help! I am bucket overwhelmed! :

[beka1977]

Anyone??? :

[ekortering]

My sister buys all her grains for baking bread in large quantities like that. She stores them in large 5 gallon buckets in the basement and hasn't had any problems. Her basement is a bit damp/musty. Can't you buy empty 5 gallon buckets from Home Depot, Lowe's or even a rest. supply store? You could save on shipping.

[ekortering]

I just called my sister and she said she can fit about 40-45 pounds in a 5 gallon bucket.

[beka1977]

Originally Posted by ekortering

I just called my sister and she said she can fit about 40-45 pounds in a 5 gallon bucket.

Cool! That really helps!

I guess my question would be - the buckets at someplace like Home Depot aren't going to be food safe right???

[ekortering]

Originally Posted by beka1977

Cool! That really helps!

I guess my question would be - the buckets at someplace like Home Depot aren't going to be food safe right???

I think a 5 gallon bucket is a 5 gallon bucket. Someone feel free to correct me. Do you have a local bakery in your area? You could ask them if you could have their empty 5 gallon buckets. I think frosting and filling comes in them.

[homefrontgirl]

There is a difference between a Home Depot bucket and a food safe bucket. Especially for storing, I would try the food safe route. You might try checking for a resturant supply store in your area. I also think calling a bakery for a used frosting buckets is a good idea. A friend of mine did that. They we're free but she had to wash out the old frosting.

[Stacey247]

You can check the plastic number on the bottom of the bucket - I bought some from the farm supply store that were food safe.

Also, for ease of use, you might want to look into getting some gamma seals. They make opening/closing so much easier. Not sure who has the best price, but this is what I'm talking about:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=266012