Food
Considering getting some bulk food storage containers so I can keep certain essentials in bulk in my basement. Things like rice, sugar, and flour. I know of a couple places I can get 40-50lb bags of such for much cheaper per pound/kilo than the grocery store. Problem is finding decent food grade storage containers that aren't nearly $200 each D: Rubbermaid makes some nice ones that are durable, stackable and can be accessed without downstacking anything, but those are heavy duty commercial bins that cost over $100 EACH.
Luckily I can get some nice 22qt containers from a local restaurant supply wholesaler for $20 each. Granted I'll need 2 per bulk bag, but still, $40 for storing a bag's worth of ingredients is a better price than the $240 at least one place wanted for a 50 quart bin D:
re: Food
@Kilroy when it comes to long-term food storage, you can get creative if you are mindful of food-safe plastics.
I buy 50 lbs of flour at a time. my storage solution is a clear $10 "trash can" with a locking lid. it is however not airtight, which can be a problem when it comes to bugs and potentially shelf life.
bulk dog food storage may help you.
for items like dry beans that i don't require so much of (but still need a stockpile), i reuse and relabel metal or plastic coffee cans
re: Food
@Kilroy depending on the items you'd like to stockpile there are a few possible solutions.
i do not yet know a good way to store onions and potatoes in bulk, in the average home
re: Food
@tsunderdog Mostly looking at dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and rice. Sugar would definitely need to be airtight to prevent clumping/infestation though.
re: Food
@Kilroy i keep my sugar in a glass jar which holds one bag at a time. i have not noticed much in the way of clumping, but i suppose this depends entirely on ambient moisture
i wonder if a food safe silica packet would help tooo
re: Food
@tsunderdog Oh yeah, it would help. Problem is, if I want to get sugar in bulk I don't think a glass container would help too much (and would get ridiculously expensive for one that big :P)
re: Food
@Kilroy indeed, you would need a lot of clean coffee canisters for something like that. xD
whatever your solution, dividing into smaller containers (such as choosing 5 or 10-lb standardized) is generally a good policy
I have used OXO containers, with the pop-top, for airtight storage
re: Food
Ooh, I could get 60 1 gallon mylar bags (heat sealed airtight bags that also block light; these also include factory sealed oxygen and moisture absorbers) for like $40 too! Granted it's not good for repeated usage, but if I ever had the energy to do so I could prepare entire meals (or at least the dry ingredients) for long term storage for those lazy days when I just want to enjoy a delicious meal but with only the work of throwing it all in the crock pot or pressure cooker and enjoying! Some of those meals can require a considerable amount of prep work, but having it all done ahead of time and stashed in long term storage bags would be quite handy!