There’s a lot to know about storing grain in buckets. But the great thing is, once you learn how, it’s easy to do. Our hacks will make it even easier!
Q#1: How do you go about storing grain in buckets?
Q#2: Do you have to do anything to keep air out?
A: We have two short answers and one long answer for that!
Grain Storage in Buckets
Grains can be poured directly into sanitized buckets with airtight lids. You can also put the grain in smaller containers such as sealed plastic bags, which are then sealed in an airtight bucket. The seals prevent moisture, dust, and insects from entering. The thick walls of the bucket will deter rodents from chewing their way in.
We have stored grain both ways with success. Kitchen-sized containers are handy, but loose grain is faster to pack if you’re working with a large quantity.
Our ultimate favorite is vacuum sealing bags of grain with our Food Savers and putting them in square 4-gallon sealed buckets that stack really neatly.
Oxygen in Buckets
Grains are not damaged by oxygen, but insects can thrive in grain containers if there is oxygen for them. Plastic buckets with airtight lids and polyethylene bags inhibit the flow of oxygen, as do tightly sealing lids.
So if you have clean grains with no insects present, just seal the grain up. If there’s a chance insects have invaded the grains, treat the grains or insert an oxygen absorber.
Generally speaking, a 1500 cc. oxygen absorber is sufficient for a 5-gallon bucket of grains. You can use three 500 cc. absorbers in a bucket.
Grain Storage Buckets to Use
For more details about preparing grain for storage (including cleaning farm-fresh grains and avoiding insect infestation), head on over to our favorite food storage info center: Preparing Your Family.
Below is an excerpt from a post called The Proper Care and Feeding of Stored Wheat. The info is applicable to ALL GRAINS.
Question: What should I store grain in?
Well, my absolute favorite way to store wheat is in sealed plastic bags with about 10 or 15 pounds of wheat per bag. Then get four gallon square buckets and drop the bags into the bucket.
You can probably get two or three bags into the bucket depending on how well you pack the bags.
Use Mylar Bags or Clear Poly-Ethylene Bags for Storing Whole grains
It lets you inspect the contents without opening it up and you can readily detect insect infestation, mold, etc. without worrying about cross contamination and air. One of the reasons for the bags is to reduce the potential of cross contamination by compartmentalizing your wheat.
It would be very unfortunate and costly to lose a months worth of wheat due to contamination. As with most food items, you lose nutritional value if you subject the wheat to too much heat for too long.
Try to keep storage temperatures under 60 degrees if possible and don’t expose the buckets to direct sunlight.
How Do I Prepare Wheat for Storage?
If you bought dirty wheat, which is generally what you get if you buy directly from a farm, you need to clean it. Once you have clean wheat or grains, or if you bought wheat that was already cleaned, you want to pour it into your clear poly bags…and treat against insects.
Guide to Grain Storage in Mylar Bags
Remember, using the correct equipment for storing your wheat or grains will make all the difference. It’s best to invest in the proper food storage containers. This is one time we won’t encourage you to repurpose other materials. Once you learn how to store wheat, you can do it with other grains.
People storing whole grains for many reasons. Whether you are just wanting to be prepared, concerned about a food shortage, living off-the-grid, or working to build your prepping supplies, it’s important to safeguard your grains.
When you do it properly and store them in the right conditions, you will be able to access them when you need them.
Survival Food: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners