Vacuum sealing 5 gallon buckets.

[Cpt Caveman]

Has anyone seen or come up with a method for pulling a vacuum on a 5 gallon bucket used for food/supply storage? I've been toying with the idea for awhile. I was gonna try and use a schrader valve and a brake bleeder pump, or a bicycle pump with the valve reversed, to provide the vacuum.
Any ideas.
My basement( more like a cellar) is wet sometimes and due to 3 kids inside our 1700 square foot house ,I have to store some things down. I need a moisture impervious and rodent proof method of storage.
Any ideas?

[mikea46996]

Mylar and O2 Absorbers, you can use dry ice to force out all O2 also before you seal it. If you figure out a way to vacuum seal them please share.

[jedi]

Hum.. not sure you could "vacumm" seal the bucket with the lid at least not the std. lid. Don't you need a better lid type????

Most of us go the mylar bag + O2 Absober route.

[misconfig]

mikea46996 is right, the best way to do it inside a 5-6 gallon bucket is using Mylar bags + O2 absorbers.

I do recommend the 2000cc O2 absorbers, as you only need 1 per mylar bag, they're very strong.

See here, at the bottom of the page: oxygen absorbers - order - SorbentSystems.com

[infidel]

Originally Posted by misconfig

mikea46996 is right, the best way to do it inside a 5-6 gallon bucket is using Mylar bags + O2 absorbers.

I do recommend the 2000cc O2 absorbers, as you only need 1 per mylar bag, they're very strong.

See here, at the bottom of the page: oxygen absorbers - order - SorbentSystems.com

That site says the 2000cc o2 absorbers are good for 5-6 gallons, but they only sell 1 gallon mylar bags. I'm new to this concept, but I am assuming that you can buy a mylar bag that will fill a 5 gallon bucket, no? to make the most of that big ass o2 absorber lol.

[Cpt Caveman]

The bucket lids I have, seal up with a rubber gasket. I have to get a few things together and run a test or two to see if my theory is correct or not on the bucket /vacuum issue.
If I'm storing things put up in vacuum sealed bags I won't have to worry about oxygen absorbers. Not even sure if I need to get a vacuum on a bucket yet but I think it can be done.

[Royal-1]

You said you need to "store some things down" Make sure that you only use the O2 absorbers with food! Don't use them with ammo, parts, guns, anything that can rust. What I have heard, and correct me if I'm wrong anyone, is that most of them contain iron and will cause rust on metal parts.

Here is the Wiki on them:

An oxygen absorber is a packet filled with iron particles or Vitamin C that works by reacting with available oxygen. In the case of iron based absorbers, moisture absorbed by the package combines with iron, salt, and oxygen to rust the iron. This traps the oxygen and usually lets off a small amount of heat.

Just a heads up, if your storing metal then use a desiccant to remove water not O2.

[misconfig]

Originally Posted by infidel

That site says the 2000cc o2 absorbers are good for 5-6 gallons, but they only sell 1 gallon mylar bags. I'm new to this concept, but I am assuming that you can buy a mylar bag that will fill a 5 gallon bucket, no? to make the most of that big ass o2 absorber lol.

Yes you can buy mylar bags for larger buckets; I buy mine from a lady on ebay. User ID "honestgooddeals" great prices.

[CountryBoy19]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the buckets alone couldn't be completely sealed. I thought they are oxygen permeable (meaning the oxygen can actually pass through the plastic of the bucket). Thats why you need the mylar liner when storing food.

[Mgderf]

Originally Posted by CountryBoy19

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the buckets alone couldn't be completely sealed. I thought they are oxygen permeable (meaning the oxygen can actually pass through the plastic of the bucket). Thats why you need the mylar liner when storing food.

I could be wrong, BUT, the 5 gallon buckets I use from drywall mud and paint, both contain products that set up in contact with oxygen, thus I would think they would have to be air impermeable.
Now, assuming they ARE able to hold a seal, I would suggest the schrader valve to be an excellent idea. I would try to re-enforce it by mounting the valve on a plate of steel, then seal the plate to the lid. Something larger than just a washer would also help provide rigidity to the lid.
I'd be REALLY interested to know if it works! Might try it myself.