How to Store Food in a 5 Gallon Bucket

Storing food can be a challenge.

Food storage is an issue in many households and businesses across the country. When buying large quantities of food for a large family or to stock a restaurant supply, for example, you need to understand your food storage options and use the proper food storage techniques. Before you consider other options, you may want to learn more about storing food in 5 gallon buckets and which plastic buckets can store food safely until it's needed.

Things You'll Need

• 5 gallon bucket with lid
• Food intended for storage
• 2 by 4 inch piece of wood long enough to extend over the edges of the bucket lid
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Make sure the 5 gallon bucket you plan to use to store food is approved as a food grade bucket. You can find this out from the manufacturer of the bucket when you purchase it, or if you plan to utilize a used bucket, make sure its original purpose was food storage.

2. Inquire whether the buckets have been used to store any nonfood material. This step is especially important when using used 5 gallon buckets. If anything other than food has been stored in the buckets, such as paint or chemicals, do not use the buckets to store food.

3. Check the lid. Make sure the lid fits securely on the bucket. Before you can store food, you'll need to ensure the bucket has an airtight seal.

4. Place the food product you want to store into the 5 gallon bucket.

5. Seal the lid onto the bucket. Place a 2 by 4 inch piece of wood over the lid after you set it onto the bucket. Hit the wood with a hammer. You should hear the lid start to seal with a popping sound. Rotate the piece of wood slightly, and hit it with the hammer again. Keep rotating the wood on the lid until it's completely sealed.

References

• USA Emergency Supply: Using Plastic Buckets in Food Storage