External Dry Goods Storage?

[PrepperPrincess]

As part of my 1-year family nutrition plan, I've started to buy dry goods to provide a reasonable source of protein and carbohydrates. I decided on two old favourites - rice and beans! My initial purchase has been a 20kg sack of black turtlebeans (most people go kidney, but my partner and I prefer the flavour of black beans, and survival shouldn't have to be a joyless activity so we paid slightly more!) I also have 20kg of rice. My plan is factoring in bulk payments every few months to fit it in my household budget. We are not well off, but it is a workable plan.

My problem is storage, I live in a cluttered two bedroom house with four humans. Even 40kg of dried goods takes up more space than I really have in the main living areas, and I want to expand to 100kg. There is an attic space but I am concerned about summer temperatures up there in terms of long term storage, plus hauling 20kg bags is a bit much for me and my partner is physically disabled (or even breaking it down to 5kg, it's still quite a weight!) Its roasting up there in Summer and freezing in winter and I'm just not sure that temperature flux will be good, even for dried goods.

My other plan which I am giving more serious condition is outside storage. However what do we do about the relative humidity in this country? Where I live is all clay soil as well, so it seems doubtful that a few barrel-cellars will be adequate, again, high moisture retaining soil and general UK humidity is not great for dried goods, would plastic or glass storage containers be sufficient to keep the moisture out?

Does anyone else have any ideas? Again, my options are a poorly insulated attic, hot in Summer, cold in winter, but part of the house so probably drier, or some sort of outdoor storage solution. Either a shed or some sort of cellar system. Concerns there being humidity and damp. I basically want any solution that won't lead to my goods becoming spoiled and hoping to give me a ten year storage life.

[jennyjj01]

My problem is storage...
There is an attic space but I am concerned about summer temperatures up there in terms of long term storage, plus hauling 20kg bags is a bit much...

Does anyone else have any ideas? Again, my options are a poorly insulated attic, hot in Summer, cold in winter, but part of the house so probably drier, or some sort of outdoor storage solution. Either a shed or some sort of cellar system. Concerns there being humidity and damp. I basically want any solution that won't lead to my goods becoming spoiled and hoping to give me a ten year storage life.

I, too use the loft and right now it's roasting. It degraded my chickpeas and I chucked out some 5 year old tins, but most things cope with it. Tubes of tomato puree suffered fast degradation. Jars of cooking sauce jellify a bit, but I'm talking many years of storage.
I decant rice, pasta shapes and beans into 4 pint plastic milk bottles for easier handling.
Sheds would need to be policed for rice and mice.

You can save considerable volume by dehydrating veggies, especially onions and carrots.

I concur that storing 'nice food' is a must. We don't want to just survive. When TSHTF, a bit of morale boost will be a life saver.
I always suggest starting with a mass of 'white carbs, such as rice, pasta or dried mashed spud: That solves starvation. Then augment with sauces, soups and 'flavour givers' and tinned or dried fruit and veg..

Eat what you store: Store what you eat. (mostly)