I spent some time researching long term food storage and was amazed that the cost and price differences everywhere I looked. The prepared/freeze dried/dehydrated stuff is really expensive- so I started looking into DIY 5 gallon food buckets and understanding what the beginner really just needs to get started without spending a fortune. Here is what I found and thought I would share...
Here's the short list of what you need:
5 Gallon Food Buckets x10
5 Gallon Mylar Bags x10
Oxygen Absorbers 2000cc x10
Lid opener
Mylar bag sealer (eg. Old Iron, pickup at local thrift store or steal the one from your linen closet...I won't tell)
Rubber mallet or hammer & block of wood (I bet everyone has a hammer)
For oxygen absorbers, you need 1 x 2000cc per 5 gallon bucket for high density food (like rice). 2 x 2000cc per 5 gallon with low density food (like large beans)
Here is what I found:
Lowe's has the least expensive 5 GAL Food Grade Buckets & Lids that I have found, and FREE SHIPPING from your local Lowe's store.
Bucket = $3.97 Lids = $1.97
For a quantity of 10, you're in under $60.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=356492-1152-50640
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=356493-1152-50000
5 Gallon Mylar Bags
On Amazon, quantity of 10 for $12.49, and these come with 10x 2000cc oxygen absorbers!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077CSRXQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Additional Oxygen Absorbers
30x 2000cc for $14.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FRZ45K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lid Opener $2.97
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKPBFE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So for under $100, probably much less then you blow in ammo on a trip to the range- you can have everything you need to start storing away up your favorite rice, beans, pasta, etc from your local grocery store.
Put bag into bucket, add food, throw in 1-2 oxygen absorbers, seal with hot iron, close lid with rubber mallet. Label and stick in the closet for 25 years.
Here's the short list of what you need:
5 Gallon Food Buckets x10
5 Gallon Mylar Bags x10
Oxygen Absorbers 2000cc x10
Lid opener
Mylar bag sealer (eg. Old Iron, pickup at local thrift store or steal the one from your linen closet...I won't tell)
Rubber mallet or hammer & block of wood (I bet everyone has a hammer)
For oxygen absorbers, you need 1 x 2000cc per 5 gallon bucket for high density food (like rice). 2 x 2000cc per 5 gallon with low density food (like large beans)
Here is what I found:
Lowe's has the least expensive 5 GAL Food Grade Buckets & Lids that I have found, and FREE SHIPPING from your local Lowe's store.
Bucket = $3.97 Lids = $1.97
For a quantity of 10, you're in under $60.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=356492-1152-50640
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=356493-1152-50000
5 Gallon Mylar Bags
On Amazon, quantity of 10 for $12.49, and these come with 10x 2000cc oxygen absorbers!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077CSRXQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Additional Oxygen Absorbers
30x 2000cc for $14.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FRZ45K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lid Opener $2.97
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKPBFE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So for under $100, probably much less then you blow in ammo on a trip to the range- you can have everything you need to start storing away up your favorite rice, beans, pasta, etc from your local grocery store.
Put bag into bucket, add food, throw in 1-2 oxygen absorbers, seal with hot iron, close lid with rubber mallet. Label and stick in the closet for 25 years.