how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

on average, how many lbs of grain can fit into a 5 gallon bucket?

also - the bucket itself doesn't really make much difference right? I mean- I could use used 5 gal buckets which were previously filled with joint compound, right? the food will never come into contact with the bucket anyway.... it's just there for structural support?

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

OK nevermind- I was actually able to find an answer...

It typically can fit 33 lbs of wheat into one 5 gal bucket- on average.

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

It depends on what particular food you're putting into the buckets. A gallon of rice, a gallon of wheat, and a gallon of beans do not weigh the same. You can't compare volume (gallons) to weight (pounds). Think of it in terms of flour and popped popcorn. You can fill a bucket with flour, and fill another with popped popcorn, but the two buckets won't weigh the same.

Putting food into old paint buckets, joint compound buckets, etc. really isn't a good idea. Go to the nearest bakery and ask them for their empty white buckets. Usually they'll give them to you for free; some places might charge you $1 per bucket.

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

As Shirley stated, you want to use FOOD grade buckets. You'll never get rid of all vapors from whatever was in the bucket prior. Not even worth the attempt. Lots of things can happen when something is sitting for long term. If heat can ruin stored food, just think what some chemical vapors can do!

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

35-37lbs of rice, I can tell you in a 5 gallon bucket.

You can look on the Walton site for 6 gallon buckets, take off 1/6, and you'd be pretty close on a 5.

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

Only glass and metal are not gas permeable; Mylar and plastic are rated for it. I've got some 7 mil liners on the way, and they keep out contaminants much better than the 3.5 mil bags--but they are still not perfect. You'be better off just putting your prepped food in a cardboard box than to use a bucket that stored "joint compound".

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

Hey Darkside, NEVER, EVER use a bucket that has had paint, any petroleum product(oil, grease etc) or any type of cleaner.

The only thing I would consider, might be drywall plaster. Is that is the type of joint compound you are talking about? I assume it is.

If I did this it would only be a last resort and I would definitely use mylar bags.

I have toyed with this idea too as I love to save money and can be a tight-ass. But for right now I only use food grade buckets. I don't really mind paying a little extra for the food grade as they too will become a treasured resource if TSHTF. After that you will never be able to get such good buckets that you can store food in. The mylar bags can be reused too but I doubt they will last as long as the buckets and lids. If taken care of these buckets could last 50-100 years. That's a good return on your investment.

S

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

thanks for the suggestions folks

ok i will first try some local bakeries for any food grade buckets they may be throwing away.

i will be using mylar bags, i am leaning towards this heavy duty 7 mil type known as PAKDRY1500. i hope to get the most out of these bags

one other thing i could use some advice with:

i was originally going to just buy a big 20x30 bag which would fill the whole bucket but i think maybe it would be better if i go for a smaller bag and put multiple sealed bags in each bucket, this way i dont have to expose a large amount of stored food to the air when I start using it. instead use it little by little and thus keep the food fresher longer.

what do you think?

i mean one bucket of wheat would easily last me several months, so if i crack one open i may end up spoiling it during the months i use it.

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

Nope....I've had a bucket open for a year or two at a time making whole wheat flour out of it.....as long as you keep it in a dry location ( a damp basement, for example, might cause a fungus growth ), it's not a problem. They make a handy dandy spin on lid adapter for buckets ( can't remember the name of 'em right off....somebody help out ) that makes access easy.....open the bag, put the lid adapter on and you're good to go for quite a long time.

There might be other reasons to pack in small bags, but I wouldn't worry too much about them being open and spoiling with whole grains.

Re: how many lbs of grain can fit into 5 gal bucket?
 

I think the handy dandy spin on lid adapters for buckets are called gamma seals.