What is a #10 can? A #10 can is a specific size of steel can commonly used to package and store food. If you’ve shopped for emergency foods, chances are you’ve seen #10 cans. They are widely used for packaging commercial emergency foods. These cans are a convenient size and can store foods for a very long time when kept in a cool, dry place.

Some people even pack and seal their #10 cans to store dry foods. Sealing #10 cans required specialized equipment to correctly seal the cans.

Dried foods and dehydrated foods can have a very long shelf life when stored correctly in #10 cans. Keeping food this way can work exceptionally well with suitable storage space.

What is a #10 Can?

The #10 can is a standard-size steel can used for food storage. They typically hold 104-117 fluid ounces of liquid or other contents. Many different can sizes exist, such as the #1 can commonly used for soup cans.

Commercial food companies which supply food to large restaurant chains or cafeterias will frequently sell food in #10 cans. You can also find #10 cans sold at Costco or Sam’s Club.

Steel is Used to Make #10 Cans

The #10 can is made of electrolytic tin-coated steel. This tin-coated steel is very corrosion-resistant.

You can also buy #10 cans with acrylic or enamel interior coating. The coating prevents the food from coming in direct contact with the metal of the can, which is beneficial when storing liquids and acidic foods like tomatoes. If you’re storing dry foods, there is no need to use cans with interior coatings.

Common Can Sizes

Here is a list of standard can sizes. As you can see, the #10 can is one of the largest commercially available cans.

Can Size	Ounces Held	Cups Held
#1	11 oz.	1 1/3 cups
#1 Tall	16 oz.	2 cups
#2	20 oz.	2 1/2 cups
#2.5	27-29 oz.	3 1/2 cups
#3	51 oz.	5 3/4 cups
#5	56 oz.	7 cups
#10	109-117 oz.	12-13 cups
#300	14-16 oz.	1 1/4 – 1 3/4 cups
#303	16-17 oz.	2 cups

(Source: UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources)

How Much Food can I put in a #10 can.

The amount of food you can store in a #10 can varies depending on how tightly packed the food is. For example, flour or other powders will be much denser than dried beans.

Food	Amount	Weight
Salt	10 cups	104 oz.
Rice	12.5 cups	90 oz.
Milk Powder	11.6 cups	55 oz.
Oats	11 cups	39 oz.
Freeze Dried Beef	11 cups	28 oz.
Freeze Dried Strawberries	9 cups	6 oz.
Soup Stock	13 cups	117 oz.

Can you Store Liquid in Ten Pound Cans?

Cans can be used to store liquids or moist food. You’ve probably bought numerous canned foods stored this way.

If we’re talking about long-term emergency food storage, I would not recommend storing liquid or wet foods. While these foods can last a good while, they will not have anywhere close to the shelf life of dry foods.

Eventually, cans storing wet items will begin to corrode and rust. If you’re going through the trouble of packing and sealing your #10 cans, don’t waste your time with wet foods.

Wet foods sold in cans at most stores have a few years of finite shelf life. Ideally, we’re trying to get our emergency food to stay preserved for decades.

What to Consider Before Getting #10 Cans for Long-Term Food Storage

Pros of #10 Cans

Durability – Cans are made of steel with a robust seal. Even when dropped or dented, they can preserve food well.

Airtight Seal – Cans, when properly sealed, are airtight and protect your food from air and moisture. This is one reason #10 cans will potentially allow your food to last for decades.

Light Proof – Cans will block all light from contacting your foods. Many foods will spoil faster when exposed to sunlight, so this is a critical benefit.

Cons of #10 Cans

Expensive Equipment – To seal your #10 cans, you need a specialized tool designed for this purpose. These tools can cost $1000 or more. This is a huge reason I’d reconsider going with #10 cans.

If you’re savvy, you can build out a large stockpile of emergency supplies for much less.

Too Cumbersome – The cans are pretty big and heavy. In many cases, I like to partition my food into smaller containers. This is so I only unseal a reasonable amount of food at a time while the rest remains securely sealed.

Not Reusable – Once you open a #10 can, it cannot be reused to store food. You will not be able to reseal it correctly.

Theoretically, you can use a resealable plastic lid to reseal #10 cans. Still, these lids could be more secure, and they are not airtight.

Mylar Bags versus #10 Cans

The only reason to use #10 cans over mylar bags for long-term storage solutions is because #10 cans are more durable. That’s it.

Storing mylar bags in buckets mitigates any durability issues with them.

How to Seal #10 Cans

If you have the correct tool and components, sealing #10 cans is straightforward.

1. Fill your cans with food.
2. Place the lids on the cans.
3. Put the can in the sealing machine.
4. Seal cans using the device according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Check the can to ensure the seal looks good.
6. Label your can with the contents and the date you sealed it.

How Many Oxygen Absorbers Should I use In a #10 can?

An excellent general rule is to use the same amount of oxygen absorbers you’d use in a 1-gallon container since #10 cans are nearly a gallon in size.

Be mindful of the type of food you’re putting in the can. The more air trapped in the can, the more oxygen is present. Food cans with denser contents need fewer oxygen absorbers than less dense foods.

More info on properly using oxygen absorbers for long-term food storage.

How do I Store #10 Cans Long Term?

The main problem with #10 cans is the potential for corrosion. Moisture and salty air can cause them to corrode more quickly. There are a few things you can do to mitigate this, though.

• Keep your cans somewhere with low moisture and no exposure to outdoor air.
• Store your cans off the ground. I get free wood pallets from local stores to keep my emergency food.
• Coat your cans with paraffin wax if it’s incredibly humid. The wax will create an airtight barrier around the cans.
• Keep your cans in a cool, dry place. Proper environmental conditions are critical for all long-term food storage.

Powdered milk is common in many people’s emergency food supplies. It’s incredibly versatile and can last up to 25 years if stored properly.
With the correct powdered milk-to-water ratio, you can reconstituted milk powder so it tastes great too! Keep reading for information on how to use your powdered milk best.

Powdered Milk Conversion Chart

Quantity	Recipe
1 Cup Milk	1 Cup Water + 3 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
3/4 Cup Mil	3/4 Cup Water + 2 1/4 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
2/3 Cup Milk	2/3 Cup Water + 2 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
1/2 Cup Milk	1/2 Cup Water + 1 1/2 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
1/3 Cup Milk	1/3 Cup Water + 1 Tablespoon Powdered Milk
1/4 Cup Milk	1/4 Cup Water + 3/4 Tablespoon Powdered Milk

What Dry Milk Powder Should I Use For Long-Term Storage?

Nonfat milk powder lasts much longer than any other form of milk powder. If you want to store dry milk powder long term, you will need nonfat dry milk powder.

When appropriately stored using mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, nonfat dry milk powder can last up to 25 years. If you want to learn how to use oxygen absorbers for food storage, check out our post here.

Whole milk powder, buttermilk powder, or other dry milk will only last for a while since it contains fat. The fats in milk powder can go rancid. If stored properly, you can get 2-10 years of shelf life on whole powdered milk.

Is Powdered milk bad? Is it good for you?

Nutritionally, powdered milk has the same nutritional value as fresh milk. Whole milk powder will have the same milk fat as normal whole milk. Many people use powdered milk far more than fresh milk for various reasons. Reconstituted dry milk is an excellent option if it’s all that is available to you.
There is a noticeable difference in the taste of powdered milk compared to fresh milk. There is nothing wrong with the flavor; it’s just different.
I still like fresh milk better, but I gladly stockpile powdered dry milk when it comes to my emergency food supplies.

Powdered Milk Recipes

One of the beauties of milk powder is how versatile it is. You can use dry milk just like fresh liquid milk if you mix the dry milk powder correctly.
You can even use dry milk powder to make buttermilk or sweetened condensed milk.

How to Make Powdered Milk Taste Better

Add 1/2 cup of sugar and one teaspoon of vanilla extract to one gallon of reconstituted milk powder.

If you’re using smaller quantities, experiment a little until you get the desired taste.

How to Make Evaporated Milk Using Powdered Milk

This recipe is equivalent to a 12oz can of evaporated milk.

• 1-1/2 cup water
•  1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon dry milk

How To Make your own Sweetened Condensed Milk

This recipe is the equivalent of a 14oz can of condensed milk.

• 1 cup of milk powder
•  1/2 cup hot water
•  1 cup sugar
•  1 tablespoon butter

How to Make Buttermilk From Milk Powder

• Take a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and add to 1 cup of milk.
•  Allow the milk to sit for at least 10 minutes. Then it’s ready to use in your recipes.

FAQ

Salt may not be the first thing people consider when planning their long-term emergency supply storage. In a disaster or emergency survival situation, salt will be a vital resource. Not just because it makes food taste great but because our bodies can’t function without it.

What you Need to Know About Emergency Salt Storage

• You need about 10 pounds of salt per person per year.
• Pure salt without additives has the longest shelf life.
• Store salt in mylar bags inside buckets for maximum long-term storage.
• Do not store salt in metal containers like cans because they will rust.

For information on the best storage containers, check out our post here.

Why Store Salt?

Salt has been one of the most impactful substances in human development. For much of human history, salt was one of the most valuable resources for human existence. It was more precious than gold. Without salt, humans would still be living like hunter-gatherers.

Health Benefits

Our bodies utilize the elements in salt in many ways. Most importantly, it contains electrolytes our bodies use to regulate fluid balance, nerve impulses, and muscle function. Quite simply, you will die without consuming enough salt.

If you’ve ever gotten muscle cramps when exercising, it was probably due to a lack of electrolytes (like those found in salt).

Food Preservation

You can use salt to preserve many foods. Salt-based food preservation techniques use salt to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms, which can increase a food’s shelf life.

For thousands of years, salt has been used to preserve food. You can take a piece of meat, pack it in salt, and keep it for up to a year without refrigeration.

Flavor Enhancement

Food tastes better with salt. I put it on practically anything I eat. The difference in flavor that salt creates is simply profound. Having flavorful and delicious food can be a huge moral booster when you’re down bad.

If you’re in a situation where you need to dig into your prepper supplies, things probably aren’t going too well.

How Long can Salt Last in Long-Term Storage?

Salt that is pure and free from additives can have an indefinite shelf life. If stored correctly, salt will maintain its flavor and preservative properties forever.

Salt will absorb moisture if it is exposed to air. It is best to store your salt in an airtight container to prevent any clumping due to moisture absorption.

Will Salt Lose Flavor in Storage?

The short answer is no; salt won’t degrade or lose flavor when stored correctly. Keeping your salt in an airtight container in a cool, dry place will last a very long time.

How do I Store Salt Long Term?

Storing salt is reasonably easy compared to many things. The best way to store salt long-term is by keeping it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from light. There is no need to use oxygen absorbers when packing your salt for long-term storage. I like to buy bulk salt and repackage it.

What are the Best Varieties of Salt for Food Storage?

When you store salt long term, choose pure salt varieties. These are salts with no additives like those found in iodized salt.

Table Salt

This salt is what many commonly think of when it comes to salt. Many forms of table salt may have anti-caking agents to prevent clumping, but they will not impact shelf life. Choose a variety that is not iodized.

Uses: General consumption and culinary purposes.

Shelf life: Indefinite.

Iodized Salt

This is salt that has iodine added to it for nutritional purposes. Iodine is an essential nutrient; iodine deficiency can cause serious health problems. If you eat a balanced diet, iodized salt is not a necessity.

Uses: General consumption and culinary purposes.

Shelf life: 5 years

Pink Himalayan Salt

Pink Himalayan salt is a pure form of salt mined in the Himalayas. It contains trace minerals and naturally contains iodine. I like this salt for its flavor; it does not have microplastics in some sea salt.

Uses: General consumption and culinary purposes.

Shelf life: Indefinite.

Canning and Pickling Salt

Canning salt is pure sodium chloride. This is the best salt to use for canning because it does not contain any additives. If you use other salts for canning, it will turn the liquid cloudy.

Uses: Canning and pickling, general consumption, culinary purposes

Shelf life: Indefinite.

Kosher Salt

Kosher salt is a coarse, flaky salt commonly used in cooking and meat preparation. I like using it when cooking because it’s easy to pinch between my fingers. Kosher salt comes in many varieties, some with additives and some without. Diamond crystal kosher salt contains no additives. Morton brand includes anti-caking agents. Check the label depending on your needs.

Uses: Culinary purposes, canning, and pickling, general consumption

Shelf life: Indefinite if a pure variety

Sea Salt

This is salt derived from sea water. Some sea salt is mined and some is created by evaporating seawater. There are numerous varieties. Some of which contains additives like iodized sea salt. I personally avoid sea salt because many kinds contain micro plastics that I don’t want to consume.

Uses: General consumption and culinary purposes.

Shelf life: Indefinite if pure sea salt

Rock Salt

This is a salt derived from seawater. There are numerous varieties. Some of which contain additives like iodized sea salt. Some sea salt is mined, and some are created by evaporating seawater. I avoid sea salt because many kinds have microplastics that I don’t want to consume.

Uses: General consumption and culinary purposes.

Shelf life: Indefinite if pure sea salt

Salt Substitutes

Don’t waste your time with these.

FAQ

What kind of salt has the longest shelf life?

Any pure salt that has no additives.

Will salt lose its flavor in storage?

No, when stored correctly, salt won’t lose any flavor.

Can I eat water softener salt?

No, this salt has not been processed to food grade and is unsafe to eat.

How much salt should I store in my food storage?

A safe amount is 10 pounds per person per year.

How do I extend the shelf life of salt in the pantry?

Keep your salt in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place that will last indefinitely.

Can I store salt in plastic bags?

Yes, although many plastic bags are only partially airtight.

Do you need oxygen absorbers to store salt long-term?

No, oxygen absorbers are not necessary when storing salt.

Can I use the original package to store my salt?

Most packaging is not airtight. Eventually, your salt will absorb moisture from the air and clump.

Can I store salt in mylar bags?

Yes, mylar bags are one of the best containers to store salt. Put the bags in buckets for extra protection.