Bag Size?

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

So before I did enough research I bought 10 large mylar bags and Oxygen Obsorbers and 10 5 gallon buckets... So that I could start putting back some rice and beans. (WOW I am actually prepping)

But days after my purchase I realized that it would better to have a couple smaller bags inside one bucket... 5 Gallons of rice will take a while to consum, so it will sit around OPENED for that time...

So if took a bucket and put smaller bags of things I will use together say a small bag of beans and a small bag of rice together then I will only have to open 1 bucket to get to a couple of products.

So I have a couple of questions:

#1. What ratio would you suggest (since rice expands to twice its size I would guess I want like 2 to 1 ratio of beans to rice by volume when stored)?

#2. What size bag would I use if I wanted 3 bags per 5 gallon bucket?

#3. What food basics would you store with rice and beans? (Salt, Pepper, other seasonings, other items?)

[Matt In Oklahoma]

So I have a couple of questions:

#1. What ratio would you suggest (since rice expands to twice its size I would guess I want like 2 to 1 ratio of beans to rice by volume when stored)? Not sure I understand the question

#2. What size bag would I use if I wanted 3 bags per 5 gallon bucket? 2gl not quiet filled

#3. What food basics would you store with rice and beans? (Salt, Pepper, other seasonings, other items?)

I have a bunch of seasonings stored in small bags because plain rice, beans and oatmeal aint too good says the spoiled American
Salt, Pepper, Sugar, Red Pepper, Head Country, Paprika, Oregano, Cinamon, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic are some that I have stored

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Do you through a few bags of spices in the buckets or store them separate?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Do you through a few bags of spices in the buckets or store them separate?

I have mine in a bucket where I just had some leftover stuff and filled the space. I see the logic in what you are asking though. I don't think theres a right or wrong just get it'er done:)

[ridgerunner]

I don't think theres a right or wrong just get it'er done:)

That may be the most important thing I have read on here in a while. I tend to over analyze everything when all that really matters is "DO SOMETHING NOW"

[WiseOwl]

I use the 1 gallon bags and go 2.5 lbs of rice or beans in em with 2 300cc O2's.......I would rather have smaller packages than the big ones just because I am only feeding 3 people per meal. And they go good in a BOB at that size......

[miked2345]

I used 1 gallon size mylar bags when I set up my preps. I only have a family size of 3, which will be 2 after the kid moves out in a few years...
I'd rather open a small bag than have a 5 gallon bag of rice aging. Also, someone once mentioned that small bags might be handy to barter and trade with after the SHTF.

I used O2 absorbers in everything (Except sugar..) and labeled each bag with contents, date, weight. I didn't worry about what went into each bucket, I figure I can open the buckets when ever I want, as long as I don't break the seal on the bags until I want to use them. I numbered the buckets and then made a master list of the contents of the numbered buckets. I think I'm at 20 buckets right now... I'll probably do more if I see all these protests start turning into riots. If they get their way and collapse the system, I believe things will turn to crap real fast!

[davesretired1]

Here's what I've done. It's only my wife and myself so I didn't want to have 5 gallon buckets open for months. I've been using 1 gallon bags and storing a mix of dry items that I feel will serve as a basic supply for 7 main meals ( in other words, a bag a week ). In each bag I've put the following.....

4 cups of rice- one cup makes 2 cooked. Add a can of chili or chopped up Spam, a can of chunky soup, etc., and you have 4 meals.

2 cups of dried beans- again, see above- 2 meals.

1 lb. of pasta ( various types )- add a can of diced tomatoes along with some rehydrated meat...you get the idea.

2 cups of pancake mix.

2 cups of instant potatoes.

small handfull of salt and pepper packets.


I packed the rice loose, and the other items are in zip-locks left slightly open so the items won't mix with the rice yet the O2 absorbers will still work. I'm not worried about the zip-locks degrading as these aren't meant for LTS. A year or so and they will be rotated. Of course, these bags are supplimented with all sorts of wet/dry meats and veggies. I've also stored breakfast cereals ( Cheerios and oatmeal ), along with powdered milk for breakfasts. Still working on the powdered eggs, not to mention 1000 other things. Good luck. Dave