The ability to store food for emergencies is crucial, but many of us lack spacious root cellars. And not many kitchen cupboards are big enough to store food indefinitely. That means many of us have to move out of our garages.
Does the garage qualify as a safe place to keep food? Cold, dry, and dark conditions are ideal for storing canned goods and other long-lasting foods. Food can be safely stored in a garage if the temperature is kept above freezing but below 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius), the humidity is kept below 15%, and direct sunlight is kept to a minimum.
So long as you maintain the proper temperatures and humidity levels, storing food in a garage is an acceptable option. Further investigation is warranted.
The act of storing food and water is similar to purchasing a small insurance policy; you hope you never have to cash it in, but knowing you have one is invaluable. Whether you’re worried about a pandemic or a natural disaster, stocking up on food and water is a good way to ease your mind. You might want to rethink keeping your supply in the garage, though.
The garage may seem like a decent spot to store your extra canned goods because of how out of the way it is, but that doesn’t mean it’s the greatest option. The USDA suggests keeping canned foods in a cold, dry place, but most garages don’t meet either of those criteria.
Which Conditions Matter for Food Storage and Why?
All canned, dried, and other shelf-stable foods come with recommended use-by dates. However, “room temperature” conditions are always assumed for the duration provided.
The shelf life of canned peaches, for instance, is calculated based on the assumption that the fruit will be stored in a home with a constant temperature. Because air conditioning dehumidifies the air, your home will typically be drier than the outside during the hot and wet months.
For longer shelf lives, tropical canned goods are prepared differently than their temperate counterparts, and their expiration dates are calculated accordingly.
When estimating how long food will last, even if you preserve it, you will likely refer to published recommendations. Well, the same room temperature, relatively moderate humidity, and lack of direct sunshine are assumed in the rules.
So what conditions matter?
Temperature
The USDA’s Shelf Stable Food Safety Guidelines specify that cans should be stored at temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure their safety (29.4C).
This is because food spoils more rapidly at higher temperatures. The rate at which even well sealed canned goods spoil increases as the temperature outside rises.
On the other hand, if the temperature drops below freezing, the food inside the can may freeze, which will diminish its quality as it thaws, and the can’s structural integrity may be compromised, leading to a broken seal or premature wear.
Humidity
No clear humidity thresholds are specified by the USDA. Simply put, canned goods and other long-lasting consumables should be kept in a cold, dry environment.
The magazine Food Safety recommends keeping dry goods in regions with humidity levels of no more than 15%. It’s not easy to maintain a relative humidity of 15% unless you live in a desert (as I do).
The USDA recommends against storing food in wet environments such as basements or garages. If the relative humidity in your garage is similar to that inside your home, putting perishables there won’t be much worse than putting them in a kitchen pantry (at least from a humidity perspective).
A key factor in the spoilage of dry foods, humidity is of critical importance. It also causes cans to rust, which compromises their ability to keep food fresh. Therefore, it may reduce the shelf life of canned foods, especially dry canned foods that can last up to 30 years. Other dry (not canned) items that can be stored for a while may not last as long if exposed to dampness.
Sunlight
Sunlight is bad for shelf-stable foods because it can speed up the degradation of many beneficial elements. Food (including canned food) kept in direct sunlight can overheat, sometimes to dangerous levels, regardless of the ambient temperature in the room.
Therefore, you can be overheating your food if you keep it in a storage area that gets a lot of sunlight.
Things That Don’t Belong in Your Garage
We’re going to suppose that when you’re trying to get rid of stuff, you ask yourself, “No space for it inside?” Keep it in the storage shed.
However, since it isn’t temperature controlled and serves as a true open door to the outdoors, your garage isn’t the best place to keep your belongings safe from pests. Avoid putting unnecessary objects in the space and use it for what it was intended: your vehicle.
Paint
High summer temperatures will quickly fade any remnants of paint from your last redecorating project (or falling temps in the winter). More so, cans left on cement floors will rust more quickly than those kept in cabinets.
Propane
You want to be ready for the summer’s many barbecues, but remember to store the gas grill’s propane tanks only in a well-ventilated outdoor area. If not, the ignition of the gases will occur when you start your car.
Canned Food
Canned goods, such as tomatoes, beans, and more, lose some of their shelf life when stored in a room with a temperature that rises beyond 70 degrees (and when temps reach 95 degrees, the food will spoil quickly). The quality of your canned foods may decrease after being thawed if they freeze throughout the winter.
In fact (and please don’t take this the wrong way), we advise against keeping any edibles in the garage because of the possibility of rodent infestation. What’s the bright side? An opportunity to upgrade your kitchen cupboards with a sleek new storage unit.
Refrigerator
By definition, refrigerators do allow you to regulate the temperature your food is exposed to. However, as temperatures rise, your refrigerator will have to work harder to maintain a safe temperature for your perishables, which will have a negative impact on your electricity consumption. In addition, if the ambient temperature is below 60 degrees, the refrigerator will not run long enough to adequately chill the food within.
Open stacks of linens or paper goods
Pests like mice and wasps often use scraps of material and paper to construct nests (like that pile of cardboard boxes from your recent move). Keep recyclables in the kitchen, not the garage; if you must keep linens there, store them in plastic bins.
Electronics
Damage from high heat or cold could be done to the DVD player, TV, and computer that you had planned to donate (or restore to the bedroom of your grounded adolescent).
Did you know that you may use your garage to store food for the long term? Your garage, with a little work, can become a fantastic place to keep food safe and secure. Your garage is an ideal place to store food because you never have to worry about the safety of its contents again. Your garage is a great place to keep food supplies including canned goods, beans, rice, and other grains.
You’ll need to ensure that your garage is equipped with suitable storage space and temperature conditions for storing food safely. Read on for advice on how to convert your garage into a convenient long-term food storage facility.
The foods should always be kept dry in your garage
Foods intended for long-term storage must be kept dry all the time in the garage.
- So long as the garage is kept dry, you should be good to go.
- You can also consider putting in garage cabinets for that purpose. Food stored in garage cabinets needs to be protected from dust and moisture.
Keep animals out
Pests like rodents have an uncanny ability to locate food sources, so take precautions to keep your provisions rodent-free.
- Foods stored in a garage should be kept in garage cabinets or on overhead racks to avoid spoilage.
- Pests can’t get to your food as easily when it’s stored on an overhead rack. If you want to make sure no one can get to them, you can put them up high. As an added bonus, a thousand pounds of food can be stored in the garage’s overhead racks.
Keep the temperature in your garage ideal for food storage
If you want to store food for an extended period of time in your garage, make sure to keep the temperature at or below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
- Cans of food, for example, can be stored in the garage even as the temperature drops. If the seals are not broken, they can be eaten after being frozen.
- A rise in temperature in the garage could spoil the food you’ve stashed there. If the temperature inside the garage rises, the food may lose its texture, flavour, and nutritional value.
- Improving ventilation in your garage might assist with temperature regulation. Alternately, you can replace the old roll-up doors with newer, more energy-efficient ones, instal a ceiling fan, add insulation, or instal an air conditioner.
Keeping food in the garage: reasons it isn’t a great idea
The First Issue: Climate
Without further ado, let us state the bleeding obvious: food should not be stored in a garage during the summer. The garage’s likely high temperature and high humidity create ideal conditions for the rapid rotting of any food stored inside.
But, how about the winter, especially in colder climates? The stability of the temperature is the primary consideration. An unheated garage is safe between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit, assuming it stays somewhat warmer than the outside temperature. At sub-freezing temperatures, milk and other perishables can take on an unappetising consistency. Food spoils when temperatures rise beyond 40 degrees, which is why it’s important to keep perishables in the refrigerator.
Plus, the Pest Question
Pests are another problem that could arise from storing food in the garage. Pests including mice, rats, cockroaches, and insects will invade your garage if there’s food stored inside. You shouldn’t make it easy for bad guys to set up shop in there, and if mice do end up moving in, you should know how to get rid of them.
What About Pantry Items?
Keep your canned products and dry goods like crackers and chips cool and dry for optimal freshness and shelf life. Without the same level of insulation as a home, the garage is damper in all seasons. Unopened pantry items may go bad more quickly, and canned products may even rust.
The Exception
Soda and other canned drinks are generally safe to store in the garage, though there is always the risk that they can rust or explode. Keep in mind that both beer and wine can lose quality if exposed to extreme heat or cold for too long.
How to Make Your Garage Safe for Food Storage
It’s possible that you’ve previously concluded that the garage is suitable for food storage. However, temperature is (at the very least) usually an issue.
Most garages aren’t climate controlled, and many aren’t even insulated. Accordingly, depending on where you live, you can experience sub-zero temperatures in the winter and temperatures well beyond 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
Now, then, let’s speak about how to ensure that the food you store in your garage is secure.
Control Room Temperature
The first order of business is to determine whether or not your garage meets the requirements for safe food storage.
Maintaining a log of your garage’s temperature readings over time is the easiest way to do this. This Amazon-sold temperature and humidity monitor is cheap and will keep track of the temperature and humidity in your garage over time, allowing you to see the extremes.
If you want to store food in your garage, you probably don’t want to wait a year to see how extreme the temperature variations get. Let it run its course for a couple of months if you like. Check how low it gets during the winter. Check how high it rises over the summer.
Even if you live somewhere extremely cold, if your garage consistently maintains a temperature over freezing throughout the winter, you should be fine storing your vehicles there.
Even if you live in a hot area during the summer, your car will be alright as long as the temperature in the garage never rises above 85 degrees.
The temperature should thereafter be watched. Inspect the temperature once every week or two to ensure it remains within the acceptable range.
If that’s not the case, then we should investigate potential answers.
Control Your Garage Humidity for Safe Food Storage
Unless your garage is much more humid than your house, humidity is probably not going to be as big of a problem.
Consider purchasing this temperature and humidity monitor from Amazon to compare the relative humidity in your house and garage. Is it noticeably higher than that? If that’s the case, you’ll need to make some changes. Otherwise, it should be alright.
I should mention that humidity percentages are merely estimates that depend on the current temperature. That’s because more water can be held by the air at greater temperatures. Since humidity percentages are dependent on the amount of water that the air can hold, the same humidity level at higher temperatures indicates more water vapour in the air.
That said, 15% humidity isn’t always a good measure of how much moisture in the air is suitable for long-term storage food. However, humidity monitors will only provide you with the humidity percentage (also known as relative humidity), which is the simplest method of determining the amount of moisture in the air.
As long as the garage maintains a consistent humidity level with the rest of the house, it is just as safe a place to keep perishables as an inside pantry.
Keep Shelf Stable Food Out of Direct Sunlight
When contrasted to the other two, this one is a breeze.
To keep perishables fresh for as long as possible, garages with several windows should have food stored in a shaded area.
If your garage isn’t already quite dark, installing shades or drapes can help block the sun.
It May Not Be Practical to Store Food in the Garage
I’ve compiled a long list of issues that arise while putting food in the garage. All of those problems have solutions. Most of my food storage is located in the basement and garage. However, the garage might not be the best area for food storage if the temperature is too high or too low, or if you need to keep lawn equipment and gasoline in there.
If this sounds like you, then you might benefit from perusing the many resources available for innovative approaches to food storage at home. The vast majority of people don’t make advantage of the space under their mattresses, in their closets, or in the back of their cabinets, all of which would be ideal for keeping food.
Don’t forget that not all perishables can be kept in the garage. The first step in preparing food for long-term storage in a garage is choosing the correct products. You may safely keep food for a long time in a garage that has been converted into a food storage area. Yes, you can even keep food for 20 years or longer!
Conclusion
Garages are an acceptable place to store canned goods if the temperature is kept above freezing but below 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius) Food can be safely stored in a garage if the humidity is kept below 15%, and direct sunlight is kept to a minimum. Cans should be stored at temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure their safety (29.4C). The rate at which even well sealed canned goods spoil increases as the temperature outside rises. USDA recommends against storing food in wet environments such as basements or garages. As temperatures rise, your refrigerator will have to work harder to maintain a safe temperature for perishables.
The quality of your canned foods may decrease after being thawed if they freeze throughout the winter. With a little work, your garage can become a fantastic place to keep food safe and secure. Food stored in a garage cabinets needs to be protected from dust and moisture. The temperature inside the garage should be kept at or below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) for food storage. Food should not be stored in a garage during the summer months.
The stability of the temperature is the primary consideration. Food spoils when temperatures rise beyond 40 degrees, which is why it’s important to keep perishables in the refrigerator. Most garages aren’t climate controlled, and many aren’t even insulated. As long as the garage maintains a consistent humidity level with the rest of the house, it is just as safe a place to keep perishables as an inside pantry. Maintaining a log of your garage’s temperature readings over time is the easiest way to do this.
Most of my food storage is located in the basement and garage. Garages with several windows should have food stored in a shaded area. You may safely keep food for a long time in a garage that has been converted into a food storage area. The vast majority of people don’t make advantage of space under their mattresses or in their closets.
Content Summary
- Does the garage qualify as a safe place to keep food?
- Cold, dry, and dark conditions are ideal for storing canned goods and other long-lasting foods.
- So long as you maintain the proper temperatures and humidity levels, storing food in a garage is an acceptable option.
- Whether you’re worried about a pandemic or a natural disaster, stocking up on food and water is a good way to ease your mind.
- You might want to rethink keeping your supply in the garage, though.
- The garage may seem like a decent spot to store your extra canned goods because of how out of the way it is, but that doesn’t mean it’s the greatest option.
- The USDA suggests keeping canned foods in a cold, dry place, but most garages don’t meet either of those criteria.
- Which Conditions Matter for Food Storage and Why?All canned, dried, and other shelf-stable foods come with recommended use-by dates.
- The shelf life of canned peaches, for instance, is calculated based on the assumption that the fruit will be stored in a home with a constant temperature.
- When estimating how long food will last, even if you preserve it, you will likely refer to published recommendations.
- The USDA’s Shelf Stable Food Safety Guidelines specify that cans should be stored at temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure their safety (29.4C).This is because food spoils more rapidly at higher temperatures.
- Simply put, canned goods and other long-lasting consumables should be kept in a cold, dry environment.
- The magazine Food Safety recommends keeping dry goods in regions with humidity levels of no more than 15%.
- If the relative humidity in your garage is similar to that inside your home, putting perishables there won’t be much worse than putting them in a kitchen pantry (at least from a humidity perspective).A key factor in the spoilage of dry foods, humidity is of critical importance.
- Therefore, it may reduce the shelf life of canned foods, especially dry canned foods that can last up to 30 years.
- Other dry (not canned) items that can be stored for a while may not last as long if exposed to dampness.
- SunlightSunlight is bad for shelf-stable foods because it can speed up the degradation of many beneficial elements.
- Food (including canned food) kept in direct sunlight can overheat, sometimes to dangerous levels, regardless of the ambient temperature in the room.
- Therefore, you can be overheating your food if you keep it in a storage area that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Keep it in the storage shed.
- However, since it isn’t temperature controlled and serves as a true open door to the outdoors, your garage isn’t the best place to keep your belongings safe from pests.
- Avoid putting unnecessary objects in the space and use it for what it was intended: your vehicle.
- PropaneYou want to be ready for the summer’s many barbecues, but remember to store the gas grill’s propane tanks only in a well-ventilated outdoor area.
- The quality of your canned foods may decrease after being thawed if they freeze throughout the winter.
- In fact (and please don’t take this the wrong way), we advise against keeping any edibles in the garage because of the possibility of rodent infestation.
- An opportunity to upgrade your kitchen cupboards with a sleek new storage unit.
- RefrigeratorBy definition, refrigerators do allow you to regulate the temperature your food is exposed to.
- However, as temperatures rise, your refrigerator will have to work harder to maintain a safe temperature for your perishables, which will have a negative impact on your electricity consumption.
- Keep recyclables in the kitchen, not the garage; if you must keep linens there, store them in plastic bins.
- Did you know that you may use your garage to store food for the long term?
- Your garage, with a little work, can become a fantastic place to keep food safe and secure.
- You’ll need to ensure that your garage is equipped with suitable storage space and temperature conditions for storing food safely.
- Read on for advice on how to convert your garage into a convenient long-term food storage facility.
- The foods should always be kept dry in your garageFoods intended for long-term storage must be kept dry all the time in the garage.
- Foods stored in a garage should be kept in garage cabinets or on overhead racks to avoid spoilage.
- Keep the temperature in your garage ideal for food storageIf you want to store food for an extended period of time in your garage, make sure to keep the temperature at or below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).Cans of food, for example, can be stored in the garage even as the temperature drops.
- A rise in temperature in the garage could spoil the food you’ve stashed there.
- Without further ado, let us state the bleeding obvious: food should not be stored in a garage during the summer.
- The garage’s likely high temperature and high humidity create ideal conditions for the rapid rotting of any food stored inside.
- But, how about the winter, especially in colder climates?
- The stability of the temperature is the primary consideration.
- Plus, the Pest QuestionPests are another problem that could arise from storing food in the garage.
- Pests including mice, rats, cockroaches, and insects will invade your garage if there’s food stored inside.
- Without the same level of insulation as a home, the garage is damper in all seasons.
- The ExceptionSoda and other canned drinks are generally safe to store in the garage, though there is always the risk that they can rust or explode.
- How to Make Your Garage Safe for Food StorageIt’s possible that you’ve previously concluded that the garage is suitable for food storage.
- However, temperature is (at the very least) usually an issue.
- Most garages aren’t climate controlled, and many aren’t even insulated.
- Accordingly, depending on where you live, you can experience sub-zero temperatures in the winter and temperatures well beyond 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
- Now, then, let’s speak about how to ensure that the food you store in your garage is secure.
- Maintaining a log of your garage’s temperature readings over time is the easiest way to do this.
- This Amazon-sold temperature and humidity monitor is cheap and will keep track of the temperature and humidity in your garage over time, allowing you to see the extremes.
- Check how low it gets during the winter.
- Check how high it rises over the summer.
- Consider purchasing this temperature and humidity monitor from Amazon to compare the relative humidity in your house and garage.
- However, humidity monitors will only provide you with the humidity percentage (also known as relative humidity), which is the simplest method of determining the amount of moisture in the air.
- To keep perishables fresh for as long as possible, garages with several windows should have food stored in a shaded area.
- If your garage isn’t already quite dark, installing shades or drapes can help block the sun.
- It May Not Be Practical to Store Food in the GarageI’ve compiled a long list of issues that arise while putting food in the garage.
- All of those problems have solutions.
- Most of my food storage is located in the basement and garage.
- However, the garage might not be the best area for food storage if the temperature is too high or too low, or if you need to keep lawn equipment and gasoline in there.
- Don’t forget that not all perishables can be kept in the garage.
- The first step in preparing food for long-term storage in a garage is choosing the correct products.
- You may safely keep food for a long time in a garage that has been converted into a food storage area.
- Yes, you can even keep food for 20 years or longer!
FAQs About Garage
How many distinct garage designs exist?
You may be familiar with the many garage door styles, but you might be surprised to learn that there are actually more than twenty distinct garage designs.
Is there a limit to the size of a garage that can be built without getting special permission?
A garage or other small outbuilding (with a height of no more than 4 metres) can be constructed on private land without the need for special approval from the local municipality.
What is the typical size of a two-car garage?
An ideal (and common) size for a 2-car garage is 24 feet by 24 feet. (As you can see in the video below), a 24′ x 24′ 2-car garage gives you plenty of room to park two cars inside, open and close the doors without difficulty, instal shelves and a workbench, and still have plenty of room overhead.
How tall should a normal door be?
The standard size for a main entrance is 36 inches width by 80 inches in height. The depth varies from one material to another. However, taller doors are possible. Possible eye-catchers in homes with high ceilings, such as cathedral foyers, or enormous entryways.
Where would you recommend I put my carport?
Whether the garage is attached to the house or stands alone, it should be located on the “high side” of the land. If your lot is slanted to the left when viewed from above, the garage should be situated on the left side of the building.