Question

[itsybitsy]

Is it advisable to store sugar/salt/flour in 5-gallon tubs (not in mylar) as an 'overflow' to my normal pantry. My thinking is that I can fill up my every day kitchen containers from these 5-gallon tubs when necessary. Is it okay to keep opening them, or will this potentially cause spoilage? If 5-gallon tubs isn't the way to go, can someone suggest what is?

[Reservior]

My first thought is that yes, you are susceptible to damp. If you are opening and closing the container then you are running a risk.

Holding that amount of any dry good in one place is a risk/gamble.

I'm assuming you don't want to use Mylar because you have said you are topping up your kitchen from this supply rather than putting it away long term.

I'd be tempted to keep it in its original packaging and just rotate and resupply as needed. If you want rodent protection, then yes the bucket will help and whilst you waste space in the bucket by keeping it in a bucket, I would probably still do that.

[jansman]

I have the same set-up Itsy. My overflow is in big screwtop pickle barrels. I hold pasta,rice,sugar and flour. These barrels are stored on duck boards on a brick floor in the outbuilding that serves as my main store. I just rotate.
It is interesting that this mylar thing has found it's way over the Atlantic. It could be a useful tool, but cool,dark and dry is the oldest system going!
BTW I store everything in original packs .

[itsybitsy]

Yes, long-term storage goes in mylar and 5-gallon buckets in the garage but for just 'topping off' every day kitchen supplies, I don't want to be running down the garden all the time. It's just that if I put it in buckets I can store it in my under stairs cupboard and it's out of the way as my kitchen cupboards are at breaking point as it is!

Maybe if I just buy smaller buckets (5-litre) that would be better?

[jansman]

Smaller buckets are easier to rotate.

[Optimystic]

We store all things like sugar/pasta/rice in their original packaging, inside larger plastic crates with sealed lids.. that way we can take one out at a time and rotate the usage..

The crates then stack up on top of each other, also we find buying smaller packets ie 1kg of rice rather than the 5kg bags works better for us, we can open one and use it without risking waste of the rest.. (we dont eat Rice and pasta that often)

[Reservior]

.... also we find buying smaller packets ie 1kg of rice rather than the 5kg bags works better for us, we can open one and use it without risking waste of the rest.. (we dont eat Rice and pasta that often)

Same for us. It's the only example I can think of that we ignore the "store what you eat, eat what you store" philosophy. I'm not too keen on rice and pasta (imagine both on the same plate ) however, I will eat either of them occasionally, depending on what's going with them, so both are worth keeping long term.

[Optimystic]

.... also we find buying smaller packets ie 1kg of rice rather than the 5kg bags works better for us, we can open one and use it without risking waste of the rest.. (we dont eat Rice and pasta that often)

Same for us. It's the only example I can think of that we ignore the "store what you eat, eat what you store" philosophy. I'm not too keen on rice and pasta (imagine both on the same plate ) however, I will eat either of them occasionally, depending on what's going with them, so both are worth keeping long term.

Yep, I do like both and in a SHTF situ ill be happy to eat them with every meal but for now ill have them as and when!..lol
Also, I think as small packets they are handy to offer as trade or 'gifts' to avoid altercation..