Storage in shed or not

[cedders73]

Hi, I live in a small bungalow with just enough space and now my storage is running out. I bought recently a Garden shed (very large garden so have 2 sheds at the minute, might get another one...) that I was planning to use as my food and gear storage, it is located 3 metres away from the back door and benefit from the shade of the house but also a tree so it is now right in the sun. what do you think for the food storage?? I know that food should be kept in a cool dark space, not sure yet about the temperature in the shed as it wasn't there last summer...will have to wait few months now to find out what it is during the hotter month

[pseudonym]

I stored tins in my shed, but the temperature fluctuations resulted in a lot of condensation build up.

I can't comment on the winter months as I relocated it all indoors.


Just store all my camping and bug out gear there now.

[Moony]

See if you can get hold of some insulation panels (off-cuts / reduced in sale, etc) to line the shed. It will help reduce the temperature fluctuations inside the shed and make it more suitable for food storage. I know my shed varies wildly in temperature throughout the year and don't use it for food, but I'm lucky with a decent sized cellar and other storage inside the house atm.

[Capa]

I've never stored food (or anything valuable) in a shed... They're too easy to break into for my liking and I'd be really annoyed if I spent money and time on storing things just to have it all nicked by someone!

[piglet]

How about under the shed?
Lots of posts on here about underground storage...old freezers etc....little ingenuity may increase shed space.

piglet

[cedders73]

Good idea actually, my only problem is that I rent this place and can't (and don't want) spend time and effort as I could be given 2 months notice if my landlord decide to build the block of flat he has been thinking off for a while....... regarding security I have good neighbours and although the bungalow is detached, their have windows and the back garden only few foots away from the sheds. Also I have my 2 dogs I the garden when I leave the house, 1 German shepherd and 1 Staff, they are tied to a 10 meters lead on a post between the 2 sheds and don't really like strangers!! the only place someone could come in is the front gate as the rear of the garden lead to a slow slope terrain going down for about 300 meters well fenced as it is apparently contaminated land!? look fine to me, full of healthy trees and other green stuff one side is my next door garden and the other if high fenced again with a good 5 meters of bay with very thick thorns. I'am not too concern in daily security as I also hardened the shed I was thinking to use but more the scenario that the food would be to waste when needed the most due to the storage condition.

[poppypiesdad]

I would do the loft space before garden shed . Too easy to get into , condensation problems and vermin issues .

[jansman]

Right then... My MAIN holding area for tins etc. is a converted coal house. It gets COLD out there. Dry stuff is stored in plastic barrels. I keep rodent bait points down.

No problems. Use your sheds

[Lone wolf]

Ive kept tinned stuff in the shed and some of the tins showed some sings of rust. But if they are kept in plastic containers they should be fine just keep checking them every so often and maybe insulate the boxes/containers.

[grenfell]

I wouldn't store in a metal shed they are terrible for condensation. I brought one for a stopgap but ended up having to build another insulated roof over the top to cure it . It's currently used for tins of paint and similar stuff and is now dry enough.
If you insulate a wooden shed make sure you don't have windows facing the sun. I built my daughter a playhouse and the sun comes through the windows and the heat builds up because of the insulation.
I've also built a wooden shed that is completely louvered and allows airflow in. I use this mainly for timber storage but have metal in there too and I don't have problems with damp or rust.
The only thing that I would have concern about with a shed is mice and rats. If it's dry and sheltered they will nest in there but set traps and make sure you wash tins or jars before opening and you shouldn't have too much of a problem.