Feed Buckets With Lids for
Storing Dehydrated Food Long-Term

Photo of Susan Gast
Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

Feed buckets with lids are a must-have for long-term food storage. These sturdy, food-grade containers keep dehydrated meals, grains, and baking staples safe from moisture, pests, and light—all while staying easy to stack and organize. Whether you’re building an emergency pantry or just keeping things neat, buckets with secure lids make storage stress-free.

✅ Quick Answer: What are feed buckets with lids used for?
Feed buckets with lids are food-grade plastic containers that safely store dehydrated food long-term. Paired with Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, they protect against moisture, pests, and air exposure—keeping dried goods fresh, organized, and ready whenever you need them.

They’re affordable, widely available, and—when paired with Gamma lids, Mylar bags, and oxygen absorbers—they turn into one of the simplest and most reliable preservation systems you’ll ever use.

5-gallon, #2 plastic food-grade feed buckets with lids

You can pick these up at Tractor Supply, Lowe's, Home Depot, and Amazon!

Read more below about getting them from Amazon.

Why Feed Buckets With Lids Are a Food Storage Game-Changer

These 5-gallon #2 plastic food-grade feed buckets are fantastic and store easily in a closet, walk-in pantry, or your garage. I actually store them on my wall unit - check out how I created more storage room "out of thin air!"

Smart Ways to Organize Your Buckets for Maximum Space

Store buckets together that have the same kind of food items inside, such as flour and bread yeast next to each other; and sugar and salt side-by-side. Veggies in another 'bucket-column' etc. (Ha, start your "bucket list" now!)

Regular vs. Food-Grade Buckets: What You Must Know

Here's what you need to know about regular plastic buckets versus food-grade buckets:

Regular Plastic Buckets

  • Made from polypropylene plastic resin.
  • Not approved for direct contact with food items.
  • May contain chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, or lead which can leach into contents.
  • Okay for non-food uses like storage, catching rainwater, general home projects.
  • Typically have recycling code #5 on the bottom.
  • Less expensive than food-grade buckets.

Food Grade Buckets

  • Made from food-safe plastic like high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
  • Approved by the FDA for direct contact with edible items. Will not contaminate contents.
  • Do not contain harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates.
  • Safe for uses like food storage, fermenting, sprouting, harvesting produce, etc.
  • Have recycling code #2 on the bottom.
  • More expensive than regular buckets but essential for food contact.

The main differences are that food-grade buckets are made from FDA-approved plastic resins free of hazardous chemicals, whereas regular buckets may leach harmful substances into our food, and are therefore not suitable for direct food contact.

Another thing: Safety First—leave the HEAVY buckets on the floor, or at least on the lower shelf. You don't want to be hit on the head by a full bucket! :-)

Note: Lidded buckets are readily available at your home building center or farm feed supply stores - just make sure they're FOOD grade at the home center. 

When you have your buckets filled with your Mylar bags, which should have their contents and the date written on the bags, it's time to do the same on the outside of the bucket, and don't forget to add the date on it!

If you're finding it hard to write on the actual bucket, I suggest buying some cheap white labels. Makes it far easier to write on the contents and date, plus you can update it by simply slapping a new label over the old one, when the contents are changed out.

The Best Places to Buy Food-Grade Buckets (Online & Local)

White 5-Gallon Bucket with Lid

5-Gallon White Plastic Buckets with Lids - Six Pack

The Food Grade plastic pails (buckets to me!) are also from Amazon.com — that's a good price for six of them.

Basically, we're looking to store our filled Mylar bags in bulk. So the buckets with handles make it easy to move 'em around.

But back to the bucket lids, you (gently!) 'hammer on' the 'rim,' and then you can simply screw out the center part! Check them out below!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

You can see my feed buckets with regular lids (and some grey buckets from our local hardware store) in our Great Wall of Dehydrated Food photo and page!

These buckets are great for stacking in the garage— preferably an air-conditioned garage. I am so impressed with these lids - it makes it a lot easier to get to your goodies, without having to pry off the whole lid.

Check out these great Gamma2 lids at Amazon:

Gamma2 Screw-On Lids: The Easy-Open Upgrade You’ll Love

Gamma Seal lids

Gamma2 Seals Lids - Leakproof Black Lids

Screw-Out Lids are Air Tight and Bug-Free!

An Amazon reviewer said the Gamma 2 lids (and buckets!) kept her flour etc. totally bug-free—as they really are air-tight!

But what's best is this: No more losing fingernails and hurting your fingertips trying to pry lids off, especially in cold weather... ouch!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

Choosing the Right Oxygen Absorbers for Bucket Storage

Don't forget to add a 2000cc oxygen absorber! Remember, the dehydrated foods are being stored long-term. We don't want to be opening and closing these buckets on a daily basis... maybe twice a year, for stock rotation.

When to Use 50cc Oxygen Absorbers

50cc are perfect for small jars and containers. Ideal for keeping spices and smaller dried foods fresh.

Best Uses for 100cc Oxygen Absorbers

100cc are great for quart-sized jars and vacuum-sealer bags. The most versatile size for everyday use.

PackFreshUSA 50cc Oxygen Absorbers

50cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • PackFreshUSA Oxygen Absorbers
  • 200-Pack
  • Food-Grade, Non-Toxic
Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers

100cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers
  • 100-Pack
  • Long-Term Food Storage Freshness Protection
Oxy-Sorb 300cc Oxygen Absorbers

300cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers
  • Bags of 20 (60 Count total)
  • Super Effective for Dried Goods
Oxy-Sorb 2000cc Oxygen Absorbers

2000cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers
  • Pack of 10
  • I use these for airtight bins and buckets

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — this does not affect the price you pay. Read full disclosure.

Learn more about why we use different-sized oxygen absorbers and which size fits which container!

A NOTE HERE about DESICCANT PACKETS

Use them in conjunction with Oxygen Absorbers.
Here's How and Why...

How Many Mylar Bags Really Fit in a 5-Gallon Bucket?

Regarding how much bagged food can you fit in a bucket, well... at last count, I managed to store 8 (slim) filled Mylar bags (10" x 14" size) - in two layers of four.

If your Mylar bags are plumply-filled (LOL), then you'll get away with six filled Mylar bags, roughly.

I put the heavier filled Mylar bags at the bottom, and the lighter Mylar bags on the top. Just like you would do when grocery shopping in the checkout lane; put the lightweight stuff on top!

Thanks for stopping by to learn all about feed buckets with lids and the awesome screw-out Gamma2 lids that saves your precious fingertips!

Handy Storage Reference Chart for Long-Term Food Safety

It’s not just a list—it’s the precise order of operations to keep moisture and oxygen out for good.

Layer Container What Goes Inside O₂ Absorber Desiccant Seal Method Notes
Primary Vacuum-sealer bag Dry food 100cc 5g Vacuum seal Wrap in cling film (abrasion guard)
Secondary Mylar bag 3–4 primary packs 300cc 20g Heat-seal (no vacuum) Barrier + light block; label contents & date. Text will now wrap properly instead of stretching wide.
Storage Pantry/Shelf Finished Mylar bundles — — — Cool, dark, dry; rotate oldest first

Primary

Container: Vacuum-sealer bag

What Goes Inside: Dry food

O₂ Absorber: 100cc

Desiccant: 5g

Seal Method: Vacuum seal

Notes: Wrap in cling film (abrasion guard)

Secondary

Container: Mylar bag

What Goes Inside: 3–4 primary packs

O₂ Absorber: 300cc

Desiccant: 20g

Seal Method: Heat-seal (no vacuum)

Notes: Barrier + light block; label contents & date

Storage

Container: Pantry/Shelf

What Goes Inside: Finished Mylar bundles

Notes: Cool, dark, dry; rotate oldest first

Feed Bucket Storage FAQs You Didn’t Know You Needed

How long can food last in feed buckets with lids?

Stored with Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, dehydrated foods can stay fresh for 10–25 years depending on the food type and storage conditions.

Are all feed buckets safe for food storage?

No. Only food-grade buckets with the #2 recycling code are safe for direct contact with food. Regular buckets may contain chemicals that leach into food.

Can I reuse feed buckets for different foods?

Absolutely - just clean them thoroughly and use removable labels to update the contents and storage date.

Do I need both oxygen absorbers and desiccant packs?

For long-term dehydrated food storage, use oxygen absorbers for freshness. Desiccant packets help control moisture and can be used together with oxygen absorbers.

Can Gamma lids really keep pests out?

Yes. Gamma2 lids form an airtight, bug-proof seal, making them far more secure than standard snap-on lids. They also save your fingernails since the lids twist off easily.

How many buckets should I start with for emergency food storage?

Start small with 2–3 buckets to store your essentials (rice, beans, flour). Scale up as you build your pantry. Many preppers keep 12+ buckets in rotation.

Thanks for hanging out with me to learn about feed buckets with lids and how they make dehydrated food storage simple and secure. With the right buckets, Gamma lids, and oxygen absorbers, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your pantry is protected.

And before you go, don’t forget to grab your free 5 Dried Food Recipes You’ll Actually Love PDF—it includes my favorites like carrot soup, minestrone, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls!

Get 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love

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