How to Store Food in 55 Gallon Drums

Rice has a very long shelf life.

Whether you are worried about natural disasters or contemplating the end of the world, having a bulk supply of food can help ease your mind. Rather than storing the food in your kitchen pantry, 55 gallon drums can be used to keep a large amount of rations. To ensure the containers are not compromised by pests and rodents, steel drums with locking lids should be used for food storage.

Things You'll Need

• 55 gallon drums
• Food quality drum liners
• Bulk food items
• Rubber band
• Permanent marker
• Bulk Food
• Canned Food
• Bagged Food
• Journal

Instructions

Bulk Food

1. Clean the 55-gallon drum with warm, soapy water. Let the drum air dry. Place one food quality drum liner in the container.

2. Open one bag of bulk food such as flour, sugar, beans, rice or pasta. Pour the item into the 55-gallon drum. Open additional bags of the same food until the drum is full.

3. Gather the liner together, twist it and tie it with a rubber band. Place the lid on the drum and seal it completely. Label the top and side of the drum, using a permanent marker, with the product and date it was sealed. Consider adding a reference number to the drum. Log the reference number with the product and date of seal in a journal.

4. Repeat the process with additional drums and food items.

Bagged and Canned Food

1. Clean the 55-gallon drum with warm, soapy water. Let the drum air dry.

2. Line the bottom of the drum with one layer of canned foods. Add another layer. Continue to set the cans on top of each other, in layers, until the drum is full. Make note of the canned items, such as beans, vegetables, soups and sauces, which are being stored in the drum.

3. Place the lid on the drum and seal it completely. Label the top and sides of the drum with "Canned Food" and the date of the seal. Add a reference number and record the number and a list of the canned food items in a journal.

4. Repeat the process for additional food items including bags of beans, flour, sugar, salt and rice.

Tips & Warnings

• Before filling the drums, make sure the drum is in the location where you want it to be stored. Full containers are extremely heavy and difficult to transport.

• Store the drums in a cool, dry area.

• Be aware of shelf life: White flour and dry beans last 12 months; pasta lasts three years; granulated white sugar lasts indefinitely; canned goods last two to five years.

References

• Still Tasty: Flour
• Still Tasty: Pinto Beans
• Still Tasty: White Sugar
• Still Tasty: Canned Food
• Still Tasty: Rice