Have you ever considered turning your garage into a means of storing food for the future? Knowing what you’re doing, your garage can double as a food storage unit. Your food will be perfectly secure in your garage, which will remain undisturbed. Your garage is a great place to stock up on food items like beans, rice, canned goods, and more.
It’s important to have the correct storage equipment and ensure that your garage meets the appropriate temperature conditions for food storage. Here are some things you can do to transform your garage into a perfect place to store food for the future.
Suggestions For Transforming Your Garage Into A Permanent Food Storage Solution
Keep Perishable Items Dry In Your Garage At All Times.
There is no better place than the garage to keep perishable foodstuffs dry for the long haul than there.
- To accomplish that, you must always keep your garage dry.
- To further ensure the security of your food supply, consider installing cabinets in your garage. Food stored in garage cabinets should be dry and protected from dust and other environmental hazards.
Keep Animals Out
It would help if you guaranteed that none of your foods are susceptible to pests like rodents because these creatures have an innate ability to find food wherever possible.
- Be careful to construct garage cabinets or ceiling racks to keep perishable items off the floor if you wish to store them in the garage.
- Use overhead racks to keep bugs and other pests from getting into your food. If you put them in a high location, they will be out of reach. And racks in the garage can accommodate a thousand pounds of food.
Ensure That Your Garage Attains The Perfect Climate For Food Storage
If you wish to preserve food in your garage for an extended period, maintain a temperature of 70°F, 21°C, or lower.
- The temperature drop in the garage will only impact canned items a little, for example. Assuming their seals are undamaged, they can remain edible even after freezing.
- Your food storage may suffer if the temperature in the garage rises. As the temperature rises within the garage, the items’ texture, flavour, and nutrition may be compromised.
It would help if you opened the vents in your garage to keep the temperature steady. Alternate options include:
- Replacing the old roll-up doors with air conditioning units.
- Adding insulation.
- Installing a ceiling fan.
- Upgrading the insulation in your garage.
Establish The Appropriate Conditions For The Storage Of Food In The Garage
Having covered the “what” and “how” of storing food in the garage, the next step is to examine the “where.”
You might be surprised to know that the longevity and safety of your food storage might be affected by where you keep it in your garage.
If you want to know where to go, here are some tips:
Store Food Away From Bright Light.
Keep perishable foods out of the sun as much as possible. Light from the sun can accelerate decomposition and damage food packaging. Put your meal somewhere shaded, or use a curtain or cover to keep the sun out.
Move Food Out Of The Floor
You should never put perishable goods on the floor of your garage. Keep perishable goods off the floor by storing them on shelves, pallets, or cabinets. That makes it less likely that bugs will sneak inside and feast.
Take Advantage Of Proper Ventilation
Mildew and mould may be kept at bay with good ventilation. Storing food near a window in your garage is a good idea as long as it stays out of the direct sunshine.
Food Should Never Be Near Dangerous Substances.
Always store food in a safe place, away from anything dangerous. Keep perishables such as food, paint, fertiliser, insecticides, and cleaning supplies in a separate area.
Keep Perishable Items In A Cool, Dry Place
Garages can experience extreme temperatures throughout the year. Select a room in your garage with a consistent temperature that stays comparatively cool.
What Food Can Be Stored In The Garage?
If you’re worried about running out of room in your kitchen pantry, consider storing additional food in your garage.
That is an excellent suggestion. You should know that many foods should be kept in the garage after you start rearranging your kitchenware.
To preserve them against spoilage or contamination, some foods require particular storage methods or containers.
First, the garage is only an appropriate place to store some food. In most cases, this refers to foods with a shelf life of at least a year and may be kept in a pantry or garage without risking spoilage.
Among these are:
Canned Food
Canned goods like soups, fruits, vegetables, and meats have a lengthy shelf life.
Dried Beans And Lentils
The garage is the ideal place to keep dry foods.
Oats, Rice, And Granola Bars
They will remain fresh if you keep them in sealed containers.
Peanut Butter
You can keep jars that last opened months ago.
Powdered Drinks
You can have your hot chocolate, tea, coffee, or powdered fruit drink.
Veggies And Freeze-Dried Fruits
If packaged correctly, these have a long shelf life.
Instant Potatoes Or Soup
This is the way to go when you want something simple and fast.
Beef Jerky
A protein source that’s ideal for storage in the garage.
Nuts And Dried Fruit
They will be okay in your garage if not exposed to any moisture.
Applesauce
Applesauce, once opened, can be kept in almost any cool, dry place.
Spices
You can usually keep spices for a long time. The flavour fades with time.
Chicken, Canned Tuna, And Other Meat
Assuming the can is undamaged and not inflated, canned goods are often safe to eat.
Other Boxed Food
The garage is a good place to keep most packaged meals. But to prevent pests like rats and insects from getting to the food, you should put it in a plastic container.
What Foods Should Not Be Stored In The Garage?
Now, let’s talk about the things you won’t want to keep in the garage and why.
Fresh Produce
To maintain their freshness, fruits and vegetables must be refrigerated.
Dairy Products
With refrigeration, these will go well fast.
Eggs
To prevent the growth of bacteria, they should be kept in the fridge.
Fresh Meat
Never leave this out of the fridge or freezer.
Bread And Baked Goods
Dehydrate and deteriorate in the absence of adequate humidity regulation.
Chocolate
When left in the garage, this will melt.
Soft Drinks
In the winter, they could explode due to freezing.
Pet Food
Experts recommend that dry food for cats and dogs be stored in a cold, dry location that is shielded from any sources of heat at all times. In the hottest summer months, garages can easily reach much higher temperatures.
If you need more cabinet space in your kitchen, consider storing perishable goods in the garage. But keep in mind the things that work and those that don’t.
Ideas For Easy Food Storage In The Garage
Now that you know what you can and cannot keep in your garage regarding food, we can discuss the best ways to arrange your food supplies.
The following are some of the best resources and strategies for organising your new garage pantry:
Metal Can Rack Organisers
These will allow you to keep more cans in a smaller footprint and prioritise using the oldest cans first.
Plastic Shelf Food Organizer
These, like the metal can rack, will keep your canned goods neat so you can see what you have at a glance.
Standing Can Dispenser
With their help, you can personalise your storage solution to suit your specific requirements and tastes. These are ideal for situations where you must accommodate cans of varying sizes.
Can Shelf Steps
The “stadium seating” feature allows you to see all your cans at a glance without searching around.
Over-The-Door Rack
Over-the-door racks are a godsend if your garage is on the smaller side or you don’t have much room. They’re space-efficient and ideal for keeping condiments, snacks, and spices on hand.
Shelving Units
These are highly adaptable because they can accommodate various boxes and containers. Garage cabinets and overhead racks are fantastic for storing food out of reach and using garage space better.
Bins And Baskets
Bins and baskets are useful for storing little articles or loose objects. Use them to sort goods by expiration date or group foods with similar characteristics.
Put Your Garage To Good Use With Appropriate Food Storage Containers
Using appropriate containers when keeping dry goods in the garage is essential. Consider these leading candidates:
Containers With Lids That Keep Out Air
This is revolutionary. They’re long-lasting, easy to clean, and stackable. In addition, the food inside will stay fresh and dry because of their airtight seal. On the other hand, they may release toxins into the food when exposed to extreme heat or sunshine.
Bottles Made Of Glass That Have Either Rubber Lids Or Metal Clamps
This odour- and stain-resistant, see-through containers are practical and aesthetically pleasing. Reusable storage is made easy with these. Nevertheless, they are cumbersome and flimsy, and they could crack if you put liquids that could freeze inside.
Metal Containers With Covers Or Polythene Liner
Are you looking for a solution that will keep rodents at bay? It would help if you looked into metal cans. They are long-lasting, durable, and recyclable once their useful life has ended.
You can expect a different level of protection for some containers in your kitchen than in your garage. For instance, you can’t use cardboard boxes or paper bags. You would be shocked, even though it sounds apparent. Insects and rodents adore paper goods because they can quickly transform them into nests. On top of that, they can easily become mouldy if exposed to water.
Things You Should Never Do When Keeping Food In The Garage
There are a few things to consider when storing food in the garage, even if it’s a practical method to keep non-perishable items close at hand.
Avoid these typical pitfalls:
Do Not Keep Food In Its Original Containers
Keeping food in its original container is the easiest option. On the other hand, this can leave your food vulnerable to air, pests, and bacteria. Alternatively, store your surplus food in long-lasting, airtight containers such as plastic buckets, metal cans, or glass jars.
Avoid Storing An Excessive Amount Of Food
Understand it. It could be tempting to hoard food in your garage pantry. However, generally speaking, you should only save items you will need and consume within a fair amount of time.
If you avoid these mistakes, you can build a sturdy and functional food storage system in your garage.
If You Also Keep Gas Or Other Chemicals In The Garage, You Should Not Keep Food There.
Finally, you shouldn’t do both if you’re storing harmful chemicals to swallow while storing food in the garage.
Many chemical substances, notably gasoline, evaporate and diffuse into the atmosphere. Cans and other packaging can be deteriorated by the evaporation of some of these compounds since they are corrosive. Your food storage could be polluted with harmful chemicals like pesticides, gasoline, or other substances in your garage.
In conclusion, the garage can be a practical and secure space for storing non-perishable food items, such as canned goods, rice, and dried beans. To ensure food safety, keep items off the floor, store them in airtight containers, and avoid exposure to light or extreme temperatures. Proper ventilation and avoiding proximity to harmful substances are also important. However, avoid storing perishable foods, such as dairy, fresh meat, and produce, in the garage. Using appropriate storage solutions like shelves and organisers will help maintain a functional and safe food storage system.
