A MSM asked for tips & ideas for storing food in an attic or shed.
The two most dangerous things to a food stockpile are moisture and temperature changes. After that are critters and bugs. I personally even refuse to keep my food stockpile in my basement (cat litter, canned drinks, etc I’m okay with but anything in boxes or bags- that says upstairs).
You could get around the critter danger by using thick plastic tubs- i.e. Rubbermaid etc, you still have the moisture and temperature change issues. The winter time I would think most items would survive well- freezing cereals or cookies won’t degrade them too badly. The issue then is the freeze-thaw cycle that you will see happen as night time temps drop & then the daytime temperatures rise back up. It’s the summer time temperatures that will destroy your stockpile. Heat will reduce the shelf life of the stockpile drastically.
The same issues would be present if an unfinished attic was used. The cold-heat-cold cycles would reduce the shelf life of the stockpile. Condensation and moisture is also a big consideration.
Ok, so what is your shed or attic is climate controlled? Ok that’s much better! How awful would it be to go out to get a package of granola bars to find them nibbled and melted?
A few considerations with even a climate controlled area: Will you REALLY get out there to rotate your stock, check expiration dates, etc? If it’s 102 or -2 degrees outside are you going to bring your bags of groceries out there and stand in the shed and rotate items or are you going to say ‘I’ll just keep these inside” and never rotate and keep eating the new items?
If you use the last box of Cheerios are you going to remember to go check the shed before adding Cheerios to the list of items on your next grocery list?
If you decide to use an outdoor storage area (or attic or garage)- be sure to avoid metal shelving- it quickens the rusting of the cans.
I would think outside the box and find areas of my house where I could store the food- but if there is no room maybe the stockpile needs to be scaled back. Non-food items like razors and toilet paper I expect would fare well but I would avoid putting any creams, lotions, shampoos, etc as again the freeze-thaw cycles may degrade them.
Do you store food in an outdoor shed or in an attic? How does it work for you?
Our garage is not heated/cooled. I store laundry detergent, most toiletries, t.paper, p.towels, tissues, food storage&wrap products, and soft drinks out there. My stockpile isn’t huge, so it works fine for us. I like being able to help others in need when I can.