When I started building my first kit, I was able to score a slightly weathered Pelican case from work. I love that thing and if I was made of money I'd buy another one for the secondary kit I'm setting up in the garage (I still might). But even a decent used 1500 or 1600 case is a fair bit of investment that I could be spending on actual preps. What I like about the Pelican is that it's totally waterproof and possibly strong enough to survive a partial collapse of the house.
I'd like similar capabilities for the garage kit, but it's not as important. Considering a 30L "rain barrel" from Bass Pro, it's designed for boating. The plastic is thick and it even has a clamp seal, so I know it's up to the job. I think they run $40 or $50.
I can also get a basic 5 gal bucket for 4 bucks at Canadian Tire or Home Depot. Less sturdy but it might do the job. How waterproof is it though? I'm sure it'd keep out rain under ideal conditions, but if the wall collapses and it falls on its side, what about then? The garage isn't really at risk for flooding, because there are no water pipes and I'm on a hill, but I still want my stored preps to be protected long term. Any experience?
May have answered my own question; I think I'll stop by Briden next week and get a 6 gal bucket with a Gamma Seal lid.
I use 5 gal buckets for watering livestock when they are in the barn. They are waterproof.
Would they be waterproof if you put stuff in them and slapped a lid on it? Probably not in the long term. But siliconing the lid to the bucket would likely fix that really fast.
Runs With Scissors
you could line the inside with plastic and put things inside the bags and tie them shut ,
you can buy some heavy duty clear plastic garbage bags from a Restaurant supply store.
or seal stuff with food-saver using the cut to your own size rolls
and put inside the buckets to help keep contents dry.
I store a fair amount of dog food in 5 gal buckets they are out in the shed. So far nothing seems to be a miss with them. Course I rotate them to keep them as fresh as possible.
These are buckets I buy from Home Hardware.
The newer lids they have put out in the last year fit real tight on those.
As to a wall fallin on them, I don't know. Adult son is big hefty guy, sat on them many times and they are as good as before. He also tends to drop sit on them. :/
Now if I thought my shed got rickety to thinking it might fall down, I would see about fixin that. One less thing to worry about in a SHTF situation. 😉
A sense of humor is absolutely essential to survival.
As to a wall fallin on them, I don't know. Adult son is big hefty guy, sat on them many times and they are as good as before. He also tends to drop sit on them. :/
Now if I thought my shed got rickety to thinking it might fall down, I would see about fixin that. One less thing to worry about in a SHTF situation. 😉
Short sidebar and hijack: I love so many of your posts, OTG. I'll be cruising around and just start grinning.
Capt,
Most buckets with a rubber O ring will be water tight or at least muy muy water resistant. You can add to that with caulk or the silicone that was mentioned above. Most bucket lids, from design, will shed water but could be prone to a flood if they tipped or were covered, depending on how many times they've been opened and closed.
Sometimes you can find a less expensive bucket and just pick up the gamma lid elsewhere if you're looking to save a few bucks per bucket. The gamma lids have threads and are easier to get on and off, but if water gets between the threads in too great a quantity and then freezes, you can destroy their integrity.
If you're worried about an earthquake, teenaged driver in a Plymouth Valiant, or explosion of some kind that would topple your wall, you could always try building some kind of sturdy rack that would basically both keep the buckets off the floor and create a protective cage. I can get my hands on some serious 4x4 and 6x6 and bolts and a bunch of buckets for the cost of a pelican case. You might be able to get some reclaimed steel bar for the same purpose if you do metals.
The buckets are waterproof. The issue is the lid. Some lids squish on top like a rugged version of an ice cream bucket. The other industrial lid has a rubber seal and has to be forced or hammered on. Its water proof. The gamma lids are only for convenient opening. Its a gimmick. Well, that's not really fair of me. Its more like Tupper wear for survivalists. A cute doo dad but un necessary. Easy opening only.
The subject takes a different turn by asking, are they air tight. Yes and no. Food storage in buckets with the good seals are air tight but plastic is porous, and will equalise to outside air within 5 years. Not good for long tem storage unless Mylar is used inside the bucket
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
This is great information. I know at a local wine-making supply store, I can get food grade buckets 10 for $20, which is a good deal. They are used, but in good condition and just need a good cleaning. Not sure how waterproof they are. However, I was wondering are the buckets you buy at Home Hardware, etc. food grade plastic?
In most cases you don't need food grade buckets. Unless food is in direct contact with the bucket. I use 5 gallon oil buckets.I know, gross.... When washed out they serve as water proof and rodent proof containers. As I just had a rat snoopin and pooping around my food stores. Didn't live long doing that!
I seal grains in mylar bags then into the buckets. I did buy several food grade buckets gamma lids, but just for grains I use often (so much easier to get the lid off!)
If crazy times ever come I would bury the buckets. Maybe wrapped in a garbage bag first though. Can never have enough buckets!