When people think of preppers, they think of bunkers and a warehouse like storage. While not all of us have our own bunkers, we almost all want better storage. As preppers, having the best storage bins and containers is critical in this effort.
The main priorities for storage bins are durability, capacity, and then any other specific specialized needs such as being see through, water proof, food grade, or just tough as nails.
I have tested dozens of bins. I started a recycling business that serviced a few cities and had hundreds of clients. We provided bins and in some instances the people would provide their own additional bins. We saw the abuse these bins were put through over years and were able to see what lasted, what was good, and what wasn’t good. We had different bins for paper, plastics, and metals. That was a lot of bins, so we definitely have an opinion on what the best storage bin is for preppers, recycling, or really any application.
The All Around Best Bin for Preppers
The very best bin, the ones that lasted over a decade of extreme abuse, were the Rubbermaid Roughneck bins. These bins are sturdy, but the type of plastic they’re made of has some flex to it. We never had one break on us from regular use. If I remember right, one person had one tear when they ran it over with their car (we could see the tire tracks), but it was still usable. Not all Rubbermaid is created equally though. Make sure you get the Roughneck.
Clear Storage Bins
Clear bins are nice to see into, but are relatively brittle. This is especially true when exposed to weather. The sun weakens and degrades the plastic. Also, cold weather makes the bins, already a hard stiff plastic, even less mailable and more likely to shatter or break. If you’re careful with them though, these bins can last and do well. There were some clients that had these bins for more than 12 years without issue.
5 Gallon Buckets
5 gallon buckets are our favorite storage containers for food grade applications. They’re water tight, strong, and time tested. 5 gallon buckets are made from HDPE, or High Density Polyethylene, which is the same type of plastic used in kayaks and other hard plastic applications, including most recently a tiller gas tank we worked on of all things. It’s tough, durable, and safe.
We love the buckets with the easy twist on and off lids. They’re just convenient, especially if you’re eating what you store and storing what you eat, which we recommend.
Ammo Cans
Ammo cans are durable and have a rubber gasket, making them water proof. The military grade cans are made from steel, though there are several plastic options available on the market as well. There are several different sized ammo cans, but the most popular are 30 caliber sized and 50 caliber sized.
Ammo cans are small compared to other options on this list. They’re probably the strongest and most durable though. They’re a favorite amongst preppers which is why we actually picked an ammo can for this website’s logo. They’re incredibly versatile. For example, 30 caliber ammo can is the same width as a package of seeds for planting, and will keep them dry and protected from sun, weather, moisture, and bugs. Ammo cans are the best storage bin or container for several items, especially (obviously) ammo.
Choosing the Best Storage Bin or Container for Your Prepping Needs
There are so many containers out there on the market that it’s hard to know which one you might want. The best storage container or bin for your prepping needs will depend on what you’re trying to store and on where you’re trying to store it. Once you’ve established that, you’ve got plenty of options.
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