How do you store all your bulk food items?

[mamjo777]

We get a lot of our dry ingredients in bulk (powedered milk, flours, sugar, rolled oats, beans, noodles etc). Right now, I just have smaller quantities in gallon ziplocks in the cupboard. Of course, that's a big mess waiting to happen, not to mention it's a pain to keep it all organized that way. But I don't have much $ to spend on the nice containers. What do you all use?

Thanks for your ideas!

[kaylabelle05]

Go to the dollar store. I bought a cereal container for $1 (should have bought more) which would be perfect for that. I also bought some "cookie jars" that have a screw on lid.

Or go to a thrift/Goodwill store. I always found stuff like that super cheap and you can usually find some that are in almost new condition. I have found some stuff that wasn't even opened.

[jennsmile]

Some of my bulk are in number 10 cans that I have canned and sealed.

Some people use large 5 gallon buckets and lids. Think icing buckets from the bakery, sometimes they will give them for free.

Jenn

[Blurberrybuzz]

I use mostly glass. I have tons of canning jars, you can usually find them for cheap or free at garage sales. I also have some nice glass containers with lids that have a seal. I want an earthenware jar for my flour. Right now that's in a plastic container, but that's it. Everything else is glass jars and such. Check out garage sales and restaurant outlets. You can often find nice stuff for not so much there.
I buy rice, beans, tons of grains, noodles, oats, spelt flour, raw sugar, brown rice syrup - just about all our food staples, in bulk.

[asianmama]

i grew up in a house where all kinds of bulk foods were stored in tofu containers(5-7 gallon plastic bins from the factory), large pickle buckets and soy sauce buckets from resturants.

[LaniMami]

Gonna have to second the dollar store, I get my containers there. They are clear plastic with a screw on lid, come in two sizes and are made in the USA. I can store a 5lb bag of flour in one of the large containers, they are great!

[marieliza]

Originally Posted by asianmama i grew up in a house where all kinds of bulk foods were stored in tofu containers(5-7 gallon plastic bins from the factory), large pickle buckets and soy sauce buckets from resturants.

Reading this post reminded me of some pancakes from my childhood. My grandpa used to store pancake batter in pickle buckets. It made the pancakes taste like pickles. It was soooo disgusting . . ick! Of course, I don't like pickles either.

[mamjo777]

Originally Posted by kaylabelle05 Go to the dollar store. I bought a cereal container for $1 (should have bought more) which would be perfect for that. I also bought some "cookie jars" that have a screw on lid. Or go to a thrift/Goodwill store. I always found stuff like that super cheap and you can usually find some that are in almost new condition. I have found some stuff that wasn't even opened.

That's a really good idea! I have to go the dollar store tomorrow anyway, so I'll take a look then! Thanks!

[Mrz.Robinson]

Originally Posted by mamjo777 That's a really good idea! I have to go the dollar store tomorrow anyway, so I'll take a look then! Thanks!

That's also where we get a lot of our containers. If you look sometimes they have container sets for $1.

[angelnavywife]

I have mason jars for rice, beans and pastas, dried fruit etc. I have them in all sizes, but the ones I use most are BIG like half gallon at least.