Food Cheap stackable metal containers - food storage

[Old Gray Mare]

Had one of those Duh! moments. Have wanted cheap, stackable steel, reasonably sized (as in not 55 gal drum) food grade containers that vermin can't chew thru. Finally realized I couldn't get all that in one package but might be able to get them in two.

Solution: Cheap steel rectangular tool boxes with air tight food grade storage containers inside.

 

[paxsim2]

Good idea!

 

[Carl2]

This is not the same, being non-portable, but I was able to obtain a section of steel school lockers for free for use in a dirt-floored basement where it was impossible to exclude rodents. Sometimes surplus steel ammo cans turn up at cheap prices at yard sales.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

This is not the same, being non-portable, but I was able to obtain a section of steel school lockers for free for use in a dirt-floored basement where it was impossible to exclude rodents.

A metal supply cabinet is a similar work around. Found one with a Free sign on it.

 

[Illini Warrior]

you got to be careful of using old previously used containers - even when the food is stored in mylar and then in poly buckets - both of those layers are poly and thus air permeable - any contaminates in the containers can taint the food and render it unusable or can even poison it ...

food needs to be in clean uncontaminated storage - the whole way

even the environment of a small storage building or the basement effect the food storage - 500lbs of rice that tastes like diesel isn't going to help much ....

 

[Illini Warrior]

Had one of those Duh! moments. Have wanted cheap, stackable steel, reasonably sized (as in not 55 gal drum) food grade containers that vermin can't chew thru. Finally realized I couldn't get all that in one package but might be able to get them in two.

Solution: Cheap steel rectangular tool boxes with air tight food grade storage containers inside.

I'd gone with new 30gal galvanized garbage cans well washed out - you need to look at post SHTF re-uses after you start using your stored food and you have empties .... tons of uses for a garbage can ....

I started using pop coolers instead of the cheap Wally World totes - works better for storage and again a great empty to have around after you pull that SHTF gear out for use ....

 

[Old Gray Mare]

I'd gone with new 30gal galvanized garbage cans well washed out - you need to look at post SHTF re-uses after you start using your stored food and you have empties .... tons of uses for a garbage can ....

They would work but I was looking for something stackable when full. The tool boxes look like the metal they are made of is thicker and will not dent as easy as the trash cans. Did look at some kitchen trash cans but the lids were plastic and I was afraid rats could chew thru them.

 

[bluelady]

Not as sturdy, but we pick up metal popcorn tins at yard sales (often free there!) and thrift stores. I tape the lid just in case of bugs. They're not as space-saving as something square, but pretty stackable. We also pick up old ice chests, often on the free pile at yard sales because of a missing handle or something. A determined rat could get through in time I'm sure, but we've actually had nothing but mice and they're good for certain things. And if you're lucky enough you might find one of the old metal ones.

 

[Illini Warrior]

Not as sturdy, but we pick up metal popcorn tins at yard sales (often free there!) and thrift stores. I tape the lid just in case of bugs. They're not as space-saving as something square, but pretty stackable. We also pick up old ice chests, often on the free pile at yard sales because of a missing handle or something. A determined rat could get through in time I'm sure, but we've actually had nothing but mice and they're good for certain things. And if you're lucky enough you might find one of the old metal ones.

I went to pop coolers instead of Wally World poly totes years ago - better storage for the SHTF items ... but I wanted the coolers for the post SHTF - being food grade they are the new equal to the old timey earthenware crocks - I need 4-5 for my egg preserving plan - good container for brine soaking and meat salting - and pop coolers are perfect containers for cellaring root crops -

 

[L.A.B.]

deleted... source might not carry FDA type pails.