How do you store your canned foods?

[hansonfan]

I'm getting ALOT of canned foods. How do you guys store your's and keep them organized?

[JulieDB]

I don't have a pantry. I have a lower cupboard that's a lazy Susan. It's a pain because stuff keeps falling off the sides. The top holds soups and main dish type items. Also other things like ketchup, mustard and salad dressings. I have a bunch of little bottles, some of which came with our meals at a hotel.

The bottom holds mainly veggies. A few fruits and some gravy. I know the logical thing to do would be to put the newly bought items in the back, but... This won't necessarily work because they could actually expire sooner. So unless I notice a far away date like 2013 or 2014, I just put them in there and try to check the dates a couple of times a year for old stuff. I always seem to find some. I am trying to buy less and keep less in there. I just threw out tons! Anything that is going to expire this month or next goes on top of the counter just above the cupboard. That way I know to plan a meal or snack around whatever it is and use it up right away.

My stockpile is in the garage. I have a metal shelving unit that holds cases of canned goods as well as single cans. It won't all fit there. Mainly it is soda (loose cans in holders), juice, veggies, fruit, soup, meats and fish. I have a couple of shelves on the wall that came with the house. There is mainly cat food there, but I also have a few lone things like cheese sauce, ketchup and salad dressing that wouldn't fit on the shelving unit. I also learned the hard way not to put jars there. They have to go on the wall shelf.

[$Saving!]

Being that you're located in SC where it can get quite hot, I wouldn't suggest storing them in the garage unless it's temperature controlled.

I have mine in my pantry, lined up on shelves according to expiration date (oldest in back). To help them stay organized, use a box bottom that only has a couple inches on the sides so that you can easily pull/move sections for rotation purposes if you have that kind of space.

They could also be stored, box style, in closets if your pantry won't hold them all.

[foodie]

I can alot of my own foods; but if it store bought, I use Scotch tape and write the date that I purchased the item and then the expiration date found on the item.

That way I know how long I have had the item or items. Also, I date my home canned foods/fruits too. Shelf life for home canned and store bought canned foods is usually about 2 years. If a can is dented or bulging, you should not eat or use its contents.

Rotating my stock, FIFO (First In First Out) method is my "mantra". Instead of putting the "oldest" dates at the back of the pantry, you should put the "oldest" dates in the front. Then put the "newest" items behind the "older" items.

I also keep an inventory check list inside my pantries and freezers. We have 4 upright large freezers too.

Below is a Food Storage Guide from North Dakota State University for canned goods, freezer, and pantry goods, etc. Enjoy!

Food Storage Guide: Answers the Questions (North Dakota State University's site/info.)

Hope this helps--

Foodie (Katie)

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Here is how I store my canned goods:

Queenofthehivemomof5's Canned Goods Stockpile - Side View by Hotcouponworld.com, on Flickr

Queenofthehivemomof5's Canned Goods Stockpile - Front View by Hotcouponworld.com, on Flickr

[jenrose]

OMG I've never seen shelves like that I LOVE THEM. I want some!!!!! LOL

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I should note that we don't actually do a whole lot of canned foods. I dislike most canned soups and canned veggies outside of chicken noodle soup for the kids, a few cans of cream of soups for casseroles and canned tomatoes. But I do like canned beans, enchilada sauce, green chili, some canned fruit, peanut butter, tuna, canned pumpkin, etc.

We have a wire shelving unit in the garage (track shelving) and then I used the wire shelves and brackets designed for holding shoes in your closet using the same system to hold the shelves at an angle. Then we just flipped the shelves over upside down and locked them into the brackets so there is a lip to keep the cans from rolling off the shelves. You do have to make sure you use enough brackets in the back so that the shelves are not wobbly and are stable otherwise you can have a "can-alanch" which does not feel good on your toes trust me. I have room to go up a little higher if I want to or need to. The whole system was bought at Home Depot...was not cheap but these babies are moving with me if I ever move. LOL

[belinda2]

Good idea. Wish I had the space for the same set up.

[~~Who,Me?~~]

I wonder why mfrs stopped making cans that stack easily, kwim? I don't use many canned things either, but the few I do have, it's a pain to try to keep them from falling.

[CW&M Mom]

I have a pantry...they look like ordinary cupboards but not as deep. I have a weird kitchen LOL...so I can stack one or two cans high...but it's not super organized at all.