Dry Pack Canning with Paint Cans BY No Prob Rob
Over the years I have tried everything out there. Recycled 5 gallon buckets, #10 cans, and Mylar bags. In my humble opinion paint cans, (new never been used) are the best option out there for several reasons.
1. Easier to handle than 5 gallon buckets. The older I get the more I appreciate not having to lug around buckets. Cans fit in a cabinet where a bucket usually gets stored on the floor taking up space and looking tacky.
2. 1 gallon gets used up sooner and minimizes spoilage. I have found that when I open a 5 gallon bucket it takes a good while to use up the contents. I have had bugs get into my flour because the bucket was open for so long. In addition the contents tend to degrade in quality over time when left open to the air.
3. Low Cost. The paint cans cost $2.00 each but the price drops by ½ each time it is reused. So over time they are economical. A dry pack canner costs over $1000.00 for a hand crank model, plus the cost of the #10 cans and lids. You would need to fill a lot of #10 cans to make it economical.
4. The cans are simple to use. Unlike #10 cans that require a machine to seal the lids, a paint can only requires a rubber mallet to seal and a screwdriver or spoon to open. Ever pry off a 5 gallon plastic bucket lid by hand? I never break a sweat when opening 1 gallon paint cans.
5. The paint cans are stackable. Mylar bags are a pain. You need to build boxes or buy a container to hold the bags.
6. Paint cans are vermin proof. Mylar bags are not contrary to some who say they are.
7. 1 gallon paint cans hold more than a #10 can