Ahhh the age old debate continues. I have talked to food storage specialists who insist that #10 cans are the only way to go. All I can think is, “Who are you kidding”, and “You call yourself a specialist”. It drives me nuts. They probably think the same about me. I use a little of everything, depending on what I am storing, but I must admit that I am a mostly bucket girl myself. I guess the answer is to decide what will work best for your household and do it and leave the squabbling food storage specialists to their argument. Let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of each.

Can

Pros

ü      They are small and easily carried, at least singly, and they fit in small spaces.

ü      They can be placed six to a case and stacked squarely, which saves space.

ü      They have an airtight seal.

Cons

ü      If you use a lot of food storage and you should, then you are constantly opening another #10 can.

ü      The cans, once opened, are not re-sealable.

ü      They have a wicked sharp edge, unless opened with a special can opener.

ü      Those flimsy little plastic lids are not air tight and do not keep the bugs out.

ü      Once the can is opened, food items must be transferred to another container with an airtight seal.

ü      You have an overabundance of cans lying around your house just waiting to plug the landfill, or be driven to the recycling center.

Bucket

Pros

ü      They hold a lot of food stuff.

ü      They have an *airtight seal which some would argue. If in doubt use Mylar liners.

ü      The bucket is reusable.

ü      They are resealable once opened.

Cons

ü      They are HEAVY!

ü      Most of the buckets are round which means that there is wasted space in the corner and between buckets.

ü      They should only be stacked three high.

    *When I moved south to Texas from Utah, I brought with me several thousand pounds of whole grains in buckets. As we left the high altitude of the mountains and traveled toward sea level, the buckets collapsed in on the sides.They did not break, or lose their seal. The few buckets that I have left are still that way. The air transfer in and out of the buckets has been so minimal that the buckets have not been able to pressurize themselves. When I open them I hear the suction of the lid coming off as the bucket sucks in air. That is pretty air tight. My grains are in excellent shape; I use them everyday.