So today I decided to tackle the larger quantities of food I have been purchasing.  I had approached a local grocery store near my work one day and found the bakery was more than happy to give me their bulk frosting conatianers when they have them empty.  So far I had collected 4.  I had also been saving the orange juice bottles the last month or so and now had 4 1/2 gallon and a 1 gallon one too.

First was the 25 bag of dried beans.  These went into the orange juices containers (after making a funnel from a water bottle).  Unfortunately this only took about half the bag of beans...must get more orange juice...

Then I took 2 of the containers from the bakery - they easily held the 25 lbs of sugar.

Last I was looking at was the second 25 lb bag of flour, I had already stored the first one.  As luck would have it while scrounging around I found to very large Rubbermaid containers I forgot I bought and was able to use these and one of the bakery containers to hold all the flour.  The left over container was used to store the 10 lb  bag of pasta noodles I had forgot I bought.

Of course with my label maker I got for Christmas I am able to label everything so I know what it is....

ST is a happy camper!  8) 8) 8)

When storing dry goods like flour & sugar in bulk for extended periods of time how do you protect them from moisture? I have heard that Rice in cheese cloth will help but I have never tried to store goods like this for fear of loosing them.
Have you ever tried vacume seal?

Quote from: WoodBurner on February 06, 2011, 05:45:36 AM
When storing dry goods like flour & sugar in bulk for extended periods of time how do you protect them from moisture? I have heard that Rice in cheese cloth will help but I have never tried to store goods like this for fear of loosing them.
Have you ever tried vacume seal?

Thats a good question, I've heard a cracker or two helps absorb moisture, but these containers aren't for longterm storage, they are to be rotated out on a regular basis.

Vacuseal is definitely the way to go, we are looking for the best model for the cost.
Any tips on brands or types?

Yep we are looking for a vacuum sealer...it is on my wish list. 

As to the flour and such I will be rotating it as I go.  Just trying to make sure I have a supply on hand.  It is not just the moisture I am concerned about but that it is bug and rodent protected as well.   :)

I don't own a Vacuum sealer. I go for canned goods myself. Sorry I can't help.

Quote from: WoodBurner on February 06, 2011, 07:17:48 AM
I don't own a Vacuum sealer. I go for canned goods myself. Sorry I can't help.

That's okay....Research is one of my pastimes...

ST, I have a FoodSaver® V3825



From Costco, have been using for about a year now.
I have not lost one thing todate for freezer burn.
It is something I should have done 10 years ago.  LOL 

Quote from: walkstall on February 06, 2011, 07:59:00 AM
ST, I have a FoodSaver® V3825



From Costco, have been using for about a year now.
I have not lost one thing todate for freezer burn.
It is something I should have done 10 years ago.  LOL

i had been looking at that one.  It did have a very high rating.  Is that the one which has the jar sealer attachment?  :)

Quote from: Solars Toy on February 06, 2011, 08:01:35 AM
i had been looking at that one.  It did have a very high rating.  Is that the one which has the jar sealer attachment?  :)

There is a vacuum hose on the right hand botton that comes out for that.   
I got it on sale at the time.  I think they do that about once or twice a year at Costco.  As I remember it was 110.00$ with bags and rolls inside for starting out. 

Quote from: walkstall on February 06, 2011, 08:14:42 AM
There is a vacuum hose on the right hand botton that comes out for that.   
I got it on sale at the time.  I think they do that about once or twice a year at Costco.  As I remember it was 110.00$ with bags and rolls inside for starting out.

Sounds like a good one.  I will check it out.  :)

ST, may I ask why you keep such a large quantity of sugar, flour, rice, beans, etc? Do you live that far out of town that it justifies it?
OR
Do you fear a catastrophe or what?
OR
Is it due to the larger the quantity, the cheaper the goods?

Quote from: U_Kay on February 06, 2011, 09:31:23 PM
ST, may I ask why you keep such a large quantity of sugar, flour, rice, beans, etc? Do you live that far out of town that it justifies it?
OR
Do you fear a catastrophe or what?
OR
Is it due to the larger the quantity, the cheaper the goods?

Don't know about ST but I do it for all the above. 
I have been in 4 big Earthquakes in my life time todate. 

Walks, I thought about all of the above later.  ;)

I dont have to worry about earthquakes. Tornadoes are an issue here.

I wonder if ST has checked out some place like a Lowes or Home Depot for cheap 5 gallon buckets with lids? That is what I use for my cat and dog food. I bought two of them about a year ago and they were fairly cheap.... under 5 dollars each including lids.

Quote from: U_Kay on February 06, 2011, 10:15:13 PM
Walks, I thought about all of the above later.  ;)

I dont have to worry about earthquakes. Tornadoes are an issue here.

I wonder if ST has checked out some place like a Lowes or Home Depot for cheap 5 gallon buckets with lids? That is what I use for my cat and dog food. I bought two of them about a year ago and they were fairly cheap.... under 5 dollars each including lids.

She gets great storage containers from the local grocery store bakery for free, they get their supplies in excellent resealable containers.
What were looking for is either huge 55 gal drums that we can put individual sealed servings in, or a system that was designed for easy access.

Being prepared for the worst is always a good idea, we live a long way from any town, and even further from a major city, so if there is a forest fire, or the bridge washes out, we will be fine.

Besides, the price of food is about to go through the roof, have you not been watching World commodities? ;) ::)
Of course you haven't, but if you lived in another Country, you would be feeling the hit big time, were about to pay $4.00+ per gallon of gas, and that will effect all food prices in the Nation.
So stocking up now to weather the storm is just a way to get us through the storm that should last a couple of years.

The storm will last more than a couple of years.