Determine which type of food storage shelves you want to use and purchase one shelf to get started. Build your own, buy plastic or metal shelves, or splurge and buy a fancy can rotation system.
Key Points
- Don’t let small spaces intimidate you. For a comprehensive list of helpful ideas view our Small Spaces Storage Solutions post
- There are a wide variety of shelf options available. Determine the amount you feel comfortable spending and consider what will suit your needs best.
- Options for canned goods and other Three Month Supply foods:
- Build Your Own – Cheap & offers the most flexibility, but time-intensive
Free plan for building cardboard rotating can racks - Inexpensive plastic shelving (i.e. from Walmart or Home Depot) – A cheap and easy way to get started, shelves may not be as durable. We don’t recommend cheap metal shelves as they tend to bow in the middle when storing heavy items.
- Higher quality large metal shelves (Costco or Amazon sell great ones) – Heavy duty shelves should have no problem with bowing or collapsing under heavy food weights.
- Deluxe Can Rotation System – Most expensive option, but very convenient for easily rotating through foods. Found at ThriveLife.com (formerly ShelfReliance.com)
- Build Your Own – Cheap & offers the most flexibility, but time-intensive
- Start with one set of shelves and add more as your food storage grows.
- Plastic may be better than metal for storing heavier items (cheap metal shelves tend to bow in the middle).
- Adjustable shelf heights will be useful as you store different types and sizes of foods and cans.
- Clear a space near your shelves for 5 gallon buckets/water containers/etc. Cover with old carpet or pallets to avoid storing directly on concrete.
Diagrams/Charts
Diagram to build your own can rotating rack food storage shelves out of cardboard. This diagram can be a little bit complex so we did a step-by-step tutorial you can view here: “How to Build Your Own Can Rotating Rack”.
More Information
Helpful Products
Deluxe Food Rotation Systems: Thrive Life (formerly Shelf Reliance) produces high quality shelves are customizable in any shape and size to fit everything from tuna cans to #10 cans and more!
CanSolidators: Sturdy plastic can racks also from Thrive Life that can be adjustable for any width of small to medium can. Available in three sizes and fits on a regular shelf or in a pantry.
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Hi there! I’m Jodi. I share my preparedness adventures via the blog and social media so you can see what I’m working on day to day.