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Sugar is one of those forever foods that can last a lifetime, but only when you store it properly. Moisture, insects, pests, and bad smells can ruin your sugar stash in an instant.
For best results, sugar containers should be odor- and moisture-proof, airtight, and opaque. The more airtight your container, the better it preserves.
Here are our preferences for the best long-term sugar containers.
The versatility of the mylar bag is what makes it exceptional for long-term food storage. Its impermeability truly protects your food from air and moisture. Although, you need an impulse sealer, iron, or some other heating mechanism to seal your bags once you’ve squeezed out all the air.
Mylar bags come in a variety of sizes, so you can store small or large amounts. The most common sizes are half a gallon, one gallon, and five gallons.
They also come in varying degrees of thickness. Serious preppers recommend 5 to 7 ml for optimal protection. Mylar bags that are 4 mils or less do not adequately block light or humidity and, therefore, won’t provide sufficient UV protection for long-term storage.
While mylar bags seem costly, they’re generally cheaper than most of the other options on our list. You can also reuse them, which is an added bonus.
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Investing in food-grade buckets that are BPA-free is always best practice. Many new preppers believe any old bucket will do, but BPA (bisphenol A) buckets can seep into your food and make you sick.
BPA-free buckets are specially designed to ensure food storage items won’t be contaminated by toxic chemicals.
If you’re not sure whether your bucket is BPA-free, find the recycling triangle stamped into the side or bottom of the bucket. If it’s a 1 or 2, it’s food grade, 2 being the better option.
The most common bucket sizes include 2-, 3 ½-, 5-, or 7-gallon options.
Gamma lids are a two-piece sealing system that makes your buckets airtight. The first piece is a gasket lid that contains a rubber seal usually pounded onto the bucket lip with a mallet hammer.
The second piece is an inner lid that screws into the gasket lid to provide easy access to what’s inside.
Buckets and lids can be purchased together or separately. Over time, the seals on gamma lids can deteriorate, so it’s always a good idea to have a few extra on hand.
You can place your sugar directly into the bucket or seal it in polyethylene or mylar bags first.
Buckets and gamma lids aren’t 100% airtight, so this does affect your sugar over the long term. Many preppers prefer to line their buckets with mylar bags first for a double barrier of protection, which also helps prevent clumping.
I like to package several one-pound mylar bags and then drop them into a food storage bucket. Then I can just pull out single packages as I need them. Even the smallest one-cup bags are a great option for camping or even bartering.
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People often overlook stainless steel containers, but back in the 70s, they were the premier food storage option next to Tupperware. They’re gradually becoming more popular once again thanks to their eco-friendly nature.
Plus, they meet all the criteria for optimal food storage—opaque, airtight, leakproof, and odor-proof. They also don’t absorb bacteria or leach chemicals.
Stainless steel containers with an airtight seal are by far one of the best impermeable options available.
They come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Although not quite as large as a five-gallon bucket, larger storage containers are available. Their stackability depends on their design.
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Amber mason jars offer the opaqueness that regular canning jars don’t have. Plus, they’re BPA-free and lead-free. Mason jars are quick, easy solutions to properly store your sugar.
However, jars can only hold so much, and even your largest option is small in comparison. Amber mason jars are generally available in pint, quart, and half-gallon sizes.
Although glass is prone to breaking, it is also one of the most impermeable options, making it a top choice for long-term storage.
If you reuse mason jars, sometimes they can retain certain smells no matter how many times you wash them. Exercise caution in storing sugar in something like an old salsa jar. Like baking soda, sugar can absorb residual odors.
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Rubbermaid and Tupperware both make a variety of airtight storage options. Although their storage capacity is limited, they’re an easy-to-use, convenient option that’s highly affordable and optimal for daily use.
They’re not always opaque, but storing them in a closed pantry or cabinet can help minimize light exposure. They are airtight and moisture-proof, which will deter pests and preserve your sugar for the long haul.
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Generally, #10 cans are coated in tin, which is noncorrosive and nontoxic, and are a great option for storing food that you don’t intend on using anytime soon. In addition to being non-corrosive, they’re also extremely durable and impermeable.
Because of their durability, #10 cans are especially sought after by preppers in earthquake territories. However, finding #10 cans has become exceedingly difficult in the past couple of years.
There are still a few places to buy them, but you’ll also need a can sealer to use them, which is also quite expensive. Additionally, you’ll need a can opener to access your sugar when you’re ready to use it.
Still, #10 cans are slightly more durable than mylar bags and certainly provide coveted benefits in some geographical locations. Just don’t forget to pack the P51 in your survival gear.
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