Shopping in bulk is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and it saves time and money too. But what’s the best way to store large quantities of food? It’s important to store things correctly to keep food fresh and help you avoid any nasty surprises when you next open the flour barrel or coffee jar. Luckily there are a few simple steps that will help your supplies stay their best.
How do you keep dry foods dry?
When dry foods get damp it’s not good. Dampness encourages mould and mildew to form and it can happen surprisingly quickly when food isn’t stored correctly. There’s nothing less appealing than mouldy (non!) edibles.
Dampness also causes powders to clump so it’s something to watch out for when storing any powdered or granulated items such as coffee, sugar or spices.
A damp-proof container with a tight-fitting lid is essential for keeping goods dry, particularly when storing items in the garage or unheated pantry space. Water-proof rigid containers, such as plastic barrels and buckets are better than paper bags that will let in moisture.
Why is it important to keep food in the dark?
Rows of glass Kilner jars look good on the kitchen shelf and are convenient for small quantities, but for longer-term storage, it’s better to keep things in the dark. Exposure to light makes products degrade faster and it can even affect their nutritional value because it accelerates vitamin and mineral loss.
Light will also cause colours to fade, so if you want to stop your spices and lentils from getting bleached by sunlight, then store them safely under wraps. Keep the light out and keep the colour in!
Opaque containers stop UV light from getting through. PP and HDPE plastic containers or metal packaging will block light making them a good choice when light damage is a concern.
What type of food containers are airtight?
If you like a crunch with your cornflake it’s important to keep the air out when storing cereals, or any other dried foods. An airtight lid helps to keep the equilibrium stable inside the storage container, prolonging the shelf-life of the food inside.
Plastic tubs, food buckets and blue barrels are designed to be easily opened and re-closed, helping to keep the contents safe. A well-sealed container will also keep the contents free of contamination from air-born particles and bacteria.
A securely closed container is also your best defence against other intruders which brings us to one of the biggest threats when storing food for any length of time... pests!
How do you protect food from pests?
Mice have a notorious ability to chew through electrical wires, so it’s no surprise that standard food packaging is not a problem. Paper flour bags, thin foil and plastic wrappers are no match for a mouse's gnashers!
Metal tins and thick HDPE plastic containers with secure and durable lids are your best bet against a rodent attack and they’ll help keep weevils, slugs and ants out too. Blue open-top barrels are often used by bakers for storing flour, and they are also suitable for protecting dried goods when shipping.
Thin plastic and metal foil wrappers are no protection against a determined mouse!
What's the most practical packaging for bulk food storage?
When food is being stored for longer periods it’s crucial to use containers designed with food use in mind so that they won’t leach any nasty dyes or chemicals into your edibles.
Invopak offers a range of practical containers ideal for bulk food storage. The selections below are all food-grade and stored in our BRC Global standards warehouses, so both the packaging and our storage and distribution service meet the highest quality standards necessary for the food and beverage industry.
IBCs
IBCs are the boss of bulk storage. A standard IBC tank can hold 1000 litres of liquids, oils, powders, syrups or granules. Our IBCs are food-grade and UN-Approved so they're ideal for storing larger quantities.
A standard IBC storage tank stores 1000 litres, the ultimate bulk food storage container
Open top Plastic Barrels
Tough HDPE blue plastic barrels make great food storage containers. They come in a wide range of sizes from 30L, that's perfect for home use right up to a 200L that’s ideal for zero waste stores or warehouse use.
The full-width opening means it’s easy to put goods in and out of the keg and they have an airtight lid to keep the contents safe from pests and moisture.
Blue open top barrels come in sizes from 30 litres to 220 litres and are often used for bulk flour and grain storage
Plastic Jerry Cans
Food Grade Jerry Cans are handy for storing oil, vinegar and other liquid supplies. They have a built-in handle for easy pouring and are available in a selection of sizes from 2.5 litres right up to 25 litres.
Plastic jerry cans are suitable for storing sauces, cooking oils and liquids.
Aluminium bottles
High-quality aluminium bottles are also an option, originally designed for industrial and chemical use they are the ultimate protection for your fanciest olive oils and vinegars.
They come in a wide range of sizes too from a household friendly 6.25 litres right up to 32 litres.
Aluminium bottles are the ultimate protection for liquids and essences
Plastic buckets
Black, white or clear plastic buckets are another great choice for bulk food storage, a simple and affordable way to keep your food supplies safely stocked up.
Plastic buckets are a cost-effective, practical way to store foods in bulk.
Funnels & Scoops
A funnel is pretty essential when using larger quantities of oil, vinegar or any other liquid, they make decanting without spillages and splashes a breeze.
Scoops are handy for powders, grains and pulses and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They make life much easier when it comes to decanting your flour or pasta into smaller kitchen tubs and they’re more hygienic than delving your hands into a barrel!
Our powder funnels have a wide spout, so they're less likely to get blocked, making them a good choice for powders and grains.
Funnels make it easier to decant your bulk storage.