Food Storage Cans: How to Decide Between #10 or #2.5
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Building a sustainable and secure food storage plan is a key part of family preparedness. But with differing can sizes at food storage companies, how do you know which foods to buy in which sizes? This guide will help you choose the right food storage can size for your needs, whether you’re a family of two or a large household, and ensure you get the most out of your food storage investment.
I’ll never forget the very first time I placed an order of food from a food storage company. I figured that the big #10 cans were the way to go. The bigger, the better, right? That’s what I used to think. I began to rethink that strategy one Phoenix summer when a perfectly good #10 can of freeze-dried grapes became virtually inedible due to a small level of humidity, one of the enemies of food storage. The grapes became sticky, a little gooey, and clumped together. It was hard to eat them and I ended up throwing most of them away. That can of grapes was a #10 can. My young kids just couldn’t eat that many freeze-dried grapes and weren’t all that crazy about them to begin with. Not a mistake I wanted to repeat.
I completely relate then, when people ask me why they should buy food in #10 cans when they are storing food for only themselves or, perhaps, one or two other people. Or ask about the food going bad in the opened cans if they don’t eat it quickly enough, and what if they open a can of something and discover they don’t like it? Don’t worry! I’m going to dive deep into the world of food storage can sizes and decipher #10 cans from #2.5 cans to ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment!
Food storage companies sell most of their freeze dried and dehydrated foods in two main sizes: #10 and #2.5. A #10 can holds a whopping 1 gallon (or 16 cups) of food, including both the food itself and the airspace in the container. Cans labeled #10 are the really big cans you might see at Costco or Sams Club, holding foods like nacho cheese sauce. This makes it a good choice for bulk storage.
In comparison, a #2.5 can holds about one-quarter the volume of a #10 can. That translates to roughly 0.25 gallons (or 4 cups) of food. This smaller size is ideal for single people, small families, or foods you won’t use frequently.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing between a #10 can and a #2.5 can:
Here are my recommendations for what you should buy in a #2.5 size can or a #10 can.
Sooner or later you’ll be faced with the dilemma of what to do with the contents of an opened #10 can when you know, full well, that you aren’t going to polish it off any time soon. The food doesn’t have to go to waste, and shouldn’t. You can easily repackage it.
Most of the foods I’ve listed here can easily be repackaged in canning jars of the size you prefer. You’ll need a selection of jars, canning lids, a vacuum sealer, and a jar sealer attachment. This is a very, very simple process, and I’ve used it to package in jars everything from salt to biscuit mix to quinoa. You can also use the vacuum sealer and vacuum sealer bags. That’s a nice option because the individual bags can be stored in larger bins and buckets.
If rodents and/or insects are a problem, an open container of any food is the equivalent of posting a big Welcome! sign for them. What you don’t want to have is a couple dozen opened #10 cans of food waiting to be used. Trust me. The pests will find their way to your food before you do!
#10 cans are not as good a choice for foods that you don’t use frequently, have a short shelf life after opening, you and your family don’t like.
A #10 can holds 1 gallon (or 16 cups) of food, including both the food itself and the airspace in the container.
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Choosing the right can size for your food storage needs is all about finding the balance between bulk and practicality. #10 cans are great for staples and frequently used items, offering long-term storage and cost-efficiency. However, for smaller households, less frequently used foods, or those susceptible to spoilage, #2.5 cans are the way to go. Remember, it’s better to have a smaller amount of food you’ll use entirely than a large quantity that goes to waste! By understanding the capacities of #10 and #2.5 cans, you can create a food storage plan that’s both sustainable and minimizes waste, ensuring your family has the provisions they need for any situation.