We've compared and reviewed a list of the 8 best emergency food containers that you should consider as a prepper to store your survival food.
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Having emergency food is critical in preparation for the unseen.
While government agencies are good at predicting disasters that may affect food security, there are some unseen disasters, for example, COVID-19 and earthquakes.
This is where the need to have emergency food storage containers comes in. In recent times, we have witnessed empty shelves in groceries and supermarkets as people scrabble for goods.
While the situation has stabilized, many people were in panic mode as they had no food for their family.
This is why we have prepared this article to ensure you are never caught off guard.
Through this article, you will learn the importance of having emergency food, how to preserve the food, what foods to stock, how much food to stock, and most importantly, the best survival food storage containers you can buy on Amazon.
We will offer helpful information to get you ready to face the unseen as far as food security in your home is concerned.
In a hurry? If you just want to get to our conclusions, here are our top picks and recommendations!
We have prepared a list of 8 emergency food containers that you should consider as a prepper.
Below this list you will find our complete guide on what foods to preserve for survival, how to avoid spoilage, and how much food you should preserve, to go along with our list of the best emergency food storage containers.
1. Blingco Airtight Cereal Dry Food Container with Lid
This cereal storage bucket is made of BPA free plastic. It is very durable, shatterproof, and safe to use. The body of the container is transparent like glass, but lightweight. The clear material ensures that you can quickly know the content without having to open it, which is a plus.
With the Blingco Airtight food storage containers you can store different types of foods. For example, you can store cereals, rice, baking supplies, flour, snacks, sugar, coffee, nuts, tea. Again, the containers are very secure and will keep your content airtight and free of water.
The covers are spill-proof, and all these ensure freshness of your stored foods. It is, therefore, a suitable storage container for survival foods.
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
These buckets are airtight and water and moisture resistant.
They save space. This is because they easily stack to each other.
They are multipurpose. You can store different foods with these buckets
The transparent material ensures you can know the content of the bucket at a glance
Cons
They are not very large..
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These food storage buckets are made of quality plastic material that is BPA free. It comes as a set of 4 easily stackable storage containers.
There is also a marker, four measuring cups and 20 pieces of chalkboard labels. The stackable design of these storage containers makes it very easy to stockpile them, which is ideal for saving space and organization.
Each of these MCIRCO food containers offers a storage capacity of 5.2 liters, which gives you a total of 20.8 liters. This is more than enough space to store your cereals, sugar, flour, cookies, baking supplies, dry nuts, etc.
Lastly, all the containers are made from food-grade plastic, which is safer.
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
The stackable design saves space
Adequate storage capacity -up to 20.8 liters
Made from food-grade plastic
Made from BPA free plastic
The transparent design ensures easy identification of the content.
Cons
It easily scratches
3. Wildone Cereal & Dry Food Storage Container Set of 6
This is yet another food storage bucket that you can use as a prepper. It comes as a set of 6 containers (4 small and 2 big containers).
The set also comes with 20 chalkboard labels and a marker pen. This makes it easy to label the containers.
Also, with these stackable buckets, organizing your kitchen, or working with limited space when stockpiling survival foods is easy. The buckets are airtight and watertight with a 4 side locking system.
Last but not least, these Wildone Cereal & Dry Food Storage Containers are multipurpose and suitable for storing different foods such as sugar, flour, nuts, beans, pet food, cereals, etc.
Also, the transparent material makes it easy to notice the content of the bucket.
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
These containers are multipurpose.
The containers are air and watertight.
The 4 parts locking mechanism makes them not very secure.
The high-quality materials make these buckets durable
The stackable design makes arrangements easy.
Cons
The capacity is limited.
4. Water Storage Cube
Water Storage Cube is yet another excellent emergency food storage container.
It is lightweight, compact, reusable, and very portable. The foldable design saves space when not in use. The containers ensure that water remains cool while ensuring no leakages.
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
This container is reusable
It is odorless
The container is lightweight and portable
It is leakproof
It is ideal for both survival food storage at home and also for outdoor use
Cons
While it is very strong, it is susceptible to sharp objects.
5. Chef's Path Airtight Tall Food Storage Container Set
If you are looking for emergency food storage containers for your spaghetti, noodles, pasta, and other cereals, this is your best bet. These containers come as a set of 4.
They are airtight and very tall to fit spaghetti and noodles without breaking them. The containers make it easy to organize your pantry since they are the same size.
Each Chef's Path Airtight food container comes with a 2.8-liter capacity. In addition, the containers are airtight and waterproof. The containers are designed to save space as they are stackable and easy to arrange.
The containers are also transparent, which means you need not open or label to know the content of each container. They are also easy to clean and are user friendly.
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
These containers are airtight
They are tall which makes them ideal when storing spaghetti and pasta
They are multipurpose.
The stackable design makes it easy to arrange.
They are fridge and freezer friendly
Cons
While they are durable, if they fall while loaded, they can easily break.
They are slightly expensive.
6. FoodBrick Stackable Food Storage Container
This is yet another popular long term food storage container. The container is portable, and it is easy to handle.
This means that you can carry it in boats, vehicles, and ARV’s. Its design allows stacking, which not only saves space but also ensures easy arrangement and storage.
The FoodBrick Stackable container is versatile. You can customize it to store not only food but also water and anything else you wish to keep dry.
It is also airtight, which makes it a perfect choice for long term food storage.
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Portable
The design allows stacking.
You can also store water in it.
It is airtight
Not transparent
Cons
The storage space is limited.
Not transparent
7. Bergan Smart Storage
Bergan Smart Storage is one of the best emergency food storage containers. This is because it offers lots of storage space, and it is easy to use.
It also comes with great features which makes it a perfect container for long term food storage.
The Bergan Smart Storage is airtight, which prevents bacteria from accumulating. It also has a large top opening that facilitates easy loading and unloading of the food.
In addition, the stackable design ensures that you can store more food even with limited space. Lastly it is also lightweight, yet made from high-quality plastic.
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
These bags are very thick
The bags are odor, bacteria, moisture, and mold-free.
They are very durable
The bags are reusable
Cons
The bags are small in size.
You can only order in packs of 50 bags
They are not pest proof (rats can bore holes)
What foods are good for emergency storage?
Every survival situation is unique, but there are common foods where you can never go wrong when you have them.
These are non-perishable foods that can last for months without losing their nutritional value.
Therefore, it is critical to know which foods you should prioritize before you think of the long-term food storage containers.
Below are some common foods that any prepper should have when preparing long term survival storage:
Dried beans
Rice
Powdered milk
Canned fruit
Canned meat
Powdered milk
Flour (White flour, others do not last long)
Dried meat
Tomatoes Sauce
Species Canned vegetables
Honey, coffee, tea, jams,
Instant potatoes
While the list of foods that you can store for an emergency is endless, be sure you stock only what your family needs.
Do not stock foods that your family does not enjoy.
When it comes to stocking survival food, many people do not think of water. Some emergencies result in water supply shortage, for example, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, etc.
These disasters can cut the water supply system in your city or neighborhood. This is why you should as well think of water storage. Store as much water as you can.
There are many water storage containers available under survival food storage containers, and you can choose depending on your family needs, budget, and available space.
For more survival food recommendations and ideas, check out our guide on the best survival food.
What is the best survival food with a long shelf life?
Some foods have long shelf lives, and when stored properly, they can remain safe for months or even years. Other foods are highly perishable due to high moisture or oil content. Such foods can only last if dried, canned, or preserved using other means.
Before you head to Amazon to look for the best emergency food storage containers, you need to know which foods have a long shelf life.
Below are foods that you can stock in your food storage buckets without having to worry about spoilage.
Dried beans
With proper packaging, dried beans can remain fresh for 30 years. In this case, you need to use airtight containers with moisture prevention. Besides using airtight containers, you can as well use mylar bags.
Rolled Oats
Oats are very nutritious. When preserved well, same as beans, they can last upwards of 30 years. Oats are affordable as well, which makes them a perfect choice when preparing food for survival.
Pasta Products
Pasta has a great shelf life. Apart from this it is rich in carbohydrates, and you can cook it instantly. When well preserved, in this case freezing, pasta can last from 8 to 30 years.
Dried fruits
Most commonly dehydrated fruits include apples, raisins, apricots, and dates. However, these aren’t the only fruits you can dry. You can dry any fruit and vegetable. Most hydrated fruits can last up to 5 years. However, keep in mind that drying fruits on your own is not easy, and you can always buy dried and packed fruits.
White rice
Rice is a prepper must-have food. Rice is cheap, readily affordable, and the preparation is also easy. White rice, in particular, when stored right has a very long shelf life of up to 30 years.
Dried corn
This can last up to 10 years. All you need is the right preservation. Using airtight containers works well.
Cheese
There are numerous ways if preserving cheese. For example, there is canned cheese and wrapping it with waxed paper. Also, considering the fact that certain types of cheese get better as they age, it is an amazing product.
The list of long shelf life foods is endless, and this includes other foods such as dehydrated carrots, legumes, canned beans and spaghetti, pemmican, powdered whole egg, Twinkies, meals ready to eat, salt, honey, baking soda, powdered milk, etc.
Now that you know the foods that you can stockpile for survival, how much food should you store? Read on to find out
How much food should you store for emergencies?
When it comes to preparing for an emergency, the question of how much food to preserve is very common. You need to answer this question before you start stockpiling your pantry.
But where do you start? Well, there are a few questions you need to answer. First, what kind of emergency are you preparing for?
Some crises, for example, a power outage, can last for only a few days (worst case scenario).
However, other disasters such as earthquakes or pandemics have long lasting effects that can extend for months.
If you are preparing for a short term emergency, you should consider storing survival food that can last up to seven days.
Another question you need to ask yourself is whether you are going to a Good Samaritan or not?
If you plan to be a Good Samaritan, for example, you plan to help neighbors and elderly when disaster strike, we recommend that you preserve foods that can last you a month.
This way, in case of a short term emergency, you can help a few neighbors and still have sufficient food for your family.
If you are preparing for a long term emergency, then it is essential to prepare well.
First, you need to ensure that you have the best emergency food storage strategy. This includes reading long term food storage ideas and finding the best food storage buckets.
In such situations, we recommend preserving a year's worth of food for every family member. This way, you will feel safe and have peace of mind knowing your family food security is in check.
As you plan to preserve food for survival or emergency, it is critical to keep your pets in mind. Look for pet foods that have long shelf-life and stock that. Besides pet food, always store as much water as you can.
Whether preparing for short term or long term emergencies, water is critical. Imagine a tragedy that cuts off you water supply for more than a week.
Can you survive that? Even with all the foods you can preserve, you cannot endure any emergency without safe and sufficient water.
When it comes to survival food preservation, the biggest enemy is food spoilage. Therefore, it is essential to know what causes food to spoil.
With this information in mind, you will know how to preserve your emergency food while avoiding such eventualities.
Several factors cause food spoilage, and they include the following:
Micro-organisms
Micro-organisms include bacteria, mold, and yeast, which can grow on food. As these micro-organisms feed on food, they produce waste products that spoil the food resulting in a foul smell.
For these micro-organisms to survive, they need oxygen and water. This is why most preservation methods work by limiting water and oxygen (vacuum packing and dehydrating?
It is important to note that some bacteria do not require oxygen to survive. An excellent example of such bacteria is clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism.
It is, therefore, vital to heat foods adequately to kill these bacteria during the canning process. Refrigerating and freezing food is an excellent way to slow down the growth of micro-organisms as bacteria thrive in warm conditions.
Enzymes
These are natural chemicals found in foods. These enzymes are responsible for the ripening of fruits; for example, a tomato will turn red even after picking it.
In the presence of moisture and oxygen, these enzymes will eventually result in food spoilage. If you’re planning to preserve fruits and vegetables, worry not because heating destroys these enzymes.
When preserving such foods, consider methods that limit air and water. This will prevent enzymes from working, and your food wills last longer.
Oxygen
Oxygen is critical for micro-organisms to survive and multiply. It is also essential for enzyme reactions to occur. Therefore, by limiting oxygen, you will ensure that your food stays fresh for longer.
Also, oxygen can as well cause foods to break down through oxidation. Some foods, for instance, those with high fats and fatty acids, are susceptible to oxidation.
When the oxygen comes into contact with fats, short-chain carbon compounds are formed, which have acidic odors and a fishy smell.
Therefore, be sure to use preservation methods that ultimately get rid of oxygen to prevent spoilage of fatty foods.
Pests
While pests do not necessarily cause food spoilage, they can get their way into your food supplies and cause food contamination.
For example, if you preserve your food in Mylar bags, rats can bore holes through them. The rats can then access the stored food, and the viruses from the rats’ mouth can get into the food.
Once the bag is damaged, air and micro-organisms will start to grow and eventually cause food spoilage.
Therefore, if you are storing food for long term use, it is essential to use long term food storage containers as they are impenetrable by rats and other pests.
Light
Many people looking to preserve foods for survival forget about this aspect.
Even if your food is moisture and oxygen-free, it can still spoil if exposed to light through photo degradation. Some parts of the foods, such as proteins, fats, and vitamins, are sensitive to photo degradation.
However, exposure to light does not always mean that the food is unsafe for human consumption, but it may become discolored and lose some nutritional value.
Emergency Food Storage Containers FAQs
Which foods should I stockpile for survival?
Always consider stocking foods with a long shelve life. Also, consider stocking more food that does not require refrigeration.
When should I stockpile for survival?
While there is no definite time to stock food for emergencies, you should watch out warnings from government agencies. If they are predicting a disaster soon, ensure that you stock as early as possible.
How much food should I preserve for survival?
When it comes to preserving survival food, the amount will depend on the emergency you are preparing for. For short-term emergencies, have food that can last your family a month. However, for long term emergencies, ensure your family has food that can last a year.
Types of long term food storage containers and when it is best to use them?
When choosing food storage containers, it is important to go for containers that suit your needs. Your choice will depend on your budget and your needs (amount of food you wish to store and for how long).
Once you are sure about this, finding a suitable food storage container will be easy.
If you are preserving food for long term emergencies, look for containers that are airtight, moisture-free, odor-free, pest-proof, and, most importantly, durable containers.
Best Survival Food Storage Containers Conclusions
Stocking emergency food for your family is very important. You can never know when a crisis will strike.
For instance, no one predicted that Covid-19 would distract our lives in the manner that it has.
What if the next pandemic will be more prevalent and lethal than this one, will you have enough food to last you during quarantine?
With the direction our world is heading towards, natural and human-made disasters are just moments aware. Be sure you are adequately prepared for such eventualities.
However, to ensure that your food does not spoil and its nutritional value is maintained, you need to use the right emergency food storage containers.
There are different containers on amazon, and you have to zero in on the best.
However, our top pick was the Blingco Airtight Cereal Dry Food Container.
These containers are affordable, durable transparent, versatile (can store different types of food), and stackable.
We hope that the prepper food storage ideas presented in this article will help you be prepared for any disaster that requires you to stock a lot of survival food.
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