Q & A: Can I used non-food grade buckets to store Food?

A question from a viewer about using non-food grade bucket to store emergency food. Here is the question...

Hey Steve,

First of all I wanna say thank you for make great informative videos! I'm really learning alot. But I was wondering I work at a hotel and we have 5 gallon bleach buckets that we throw away after use and the buckets are somewhat clear buckets and they have a good seal around the lid, however the lid DOES NOT come of but that is a about 2 1/2 in" hole on top of the lid that has good sealable cap to it. And I was if I it would be ok once I clean out the bucket completely and leave it out in the sun for a day, I can put rice or some grains in it without bags for long term? Or what would you suggest I used the buckets for? Thank you for your help I really appreciated it.

-------------------

Short & sweet answer = NO.

1. Oxygen is an enemy to food stores & you cant guarantee that with this type of bucket
2. Cross-contamination of chemicals to your food stores is not good.
3. Clear buckets let light in & thats not good for long term food storage

Take the time to use food grade buckets for your stores (with oxygen absorbers or similar techniques such as dry ice or vacuum packing) & put them in a cool, dry place the the best conditions to facilitate long term food storage.

Anyway I hope this helps.

Steve

SafeArmsReview's webcam video February 26, 2011 09:50 PM

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• emergency
• food
• bleach
• food grade buckets
• survival
• prepping
• prepper
• question
• Q & A
• webcam
• video
• SafeArmsReview

[anonlulsftw]

@toprun I highly suggest buying a highpoint carbine, they are relatively cheap, i personally own a .45 acp highpoint carbine, it is a heavy gun, but it is very powerful, and very accurate. it has basically no kick which is a great benefit, it has a pistol grip and a forward grip as well as a tac light. did I mention it will take a pistol round? only badside to the rifle is if you want a larger (drum) magazine, you will have to make one yourself, or have it custom made.

[ssdwellah]

@ssdwellah FYI this is for the bleach bucket. I make NO WARRANTY about your safety.

[ssdwellah]

I would recommend if you stubborn and are still going to use that bucket here are some precautions you can take in the case of an emergency. Soak the bucket in a solution of water and baking soda for at lease a few days. As far as the clear lid, spraypaint the outside with white spraypaint. For the small cap, use teflon tape on the threads to get a better seal. Then STILL put your food in mylar bags. If you haven't figured it out, it's probably more trouble than it's worth to use them for food.

[ishellreal]

Steve, I'm sealing up rice and beans in mylar bags with O2 absorbers in 5 gallon buckets. Because I'm using the mylar bags would it be ok to use the plastic lids without a rubber gasket?

Thanks in advance!

[toprun95]

Hey SAR,

Would you please test one of those cheap HighPoint guns?

They actually seem like they may be a good deal with decent quality.

[BKSinAZ]

As long as the food is stored in a sealed mylar bag w/ O2 absorber, the bucket does not have to be 'food grade'

[AppalachianFreedom]

Sound advice sir!

[tesskansas]

i use my old bleach containers for non-potable water. I then use it for washing clothes, hands, and flushing the toilet. Every winter and almost each spring I go off grid, and go through buku water. 

[fletcher3913]

I'd use the bleach buckets to store water. If you weren't willing to drink the water you could use it for washing etc.

[NoTraceSurvival]

Well thought-out advice maybe one of the best video on food storage