Storing dry goods in ozarka bottles

[Zimmy]

I have done a couple of searches and came up blank on this theory. I'm sorry if this is redundant somehow.

I have access to a dozen or so 5 gallon plastic water bottles. These carboys are like the ones you see in water coolers. They have a blueish hue to them but I have no idea if that color frequency retards growth of biologicals or if it just makes the water look more palatable to customers. I have a couple that have been outside on the farm abandoned for years in the weather and they show no signs of embrittlement or deterioration except for some exterior staining that might scrub off. All of them are used once with Ozarka brand water and were immediately recapped (for the most part they were recapped anyway)

I've heard of the 5 gallon bucket process with mylar and dry ice. The thing is, I have these on hand and they should certainly be food grade.

Would these make a good place to store dry goods like rice, beans, sugar, salt, or flour? I have the ability to fill them while maintaining a pure grade CO2 or nitrogen atmosphere in the bottle.

I feel I am fine on water storage at this point, so I don't need these for that.


I'd really appreciate some of your feedback since I am new to bulk food preservation and storage.

[ZombieGranny]

Lots of people use 2 liter pop bottles to store dry food.
The water bottles certainly would be food-safe.

[Zimmy]

Thanks!

I've got a very large family (20) to prep for and I'm going to focus on the Quantity before the fancier Quality aspect. After I get enough to keep 'em alive for a year, I'll fill in the gaps that are between the staples.

The sad part is that I am one of only a few ants in a family of grasshoppers.

Lordy, I have a lot to learn.

[ZombieGranny]

Glad to help.
Don't get flustered thinking about how far you need to get - any can, jar, or package you have now that you didn't have before is a step closer to where you want to be.
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Lots of folks are here ready to answer questions.
Don't be afraid to ask a 'stupid' question... chances are someone else wants to ask it, thinks they will look a fool if they do, and is very glad someone else asked.

Not to mention, you will likely find you will be able to add a bit of information here or there.
Something that seems normal to you will be a new idea to someone else.

[TacAir]

You might want to check on how old those ozarka bottles are in reality.

The company started replacing them as they (about a year ago) were NOT BPA free. (polycarbonate)

If the bottle is BPA free, it will be marked as such (EcO-SENSE)
(https://eservice.ozarkawater.com/pages/oz/BeGreen.aspx)

That is - if you are at all worried about BPA and the claimed effects on humans.

Thought you should know.

[Zimmy]

I have verified they are the new bottles.

Never knew about the BPA stuff. Lots of hormone related effects rumored to that stuff. Thanks

No wonder the girls in the trailer park I grew up in had such big boobies

All that plumbing was PVC and probably BPA loaded.

[TacAir]

Cool. I would backfill the bottles with CO or N2, and then seal the cap to avoid 'pumping' - where temp variations cause the gas to expand, then contract, pulling O2 into the food.

And store the food in a cool, dark spot.

Good luck, any start is a good start. Check back from time to time and let everyone know how you are doing in your journey toward self-reliance.