Storing food in a damp basment

[streaker69]

Sump pump in the corner, yes. It'll be easy to run the drain hose to it.

I would just put it beside the sump well, since there's and outlet there too.

[Doug570]

Dehumidifier is the way to go. I have a 70 pint that can work continuous, timed or % of humidity. Drain hose to sump pump about 5' away and near an electrical outlet. I programed mine to maintain 35% or less. Keeps my ammo, powder and reloading supplies nice. One caution. On my last one the hose would plug with algae once in a while new one hasn't done that in 2 years. I also store food in the basement including cereal, canned goods, other boxed items and snacks for the grandkids.

[ntouchet]

Ammo cans with a small bag of dessicant would be my solution.

:-)

[PAMedic=F|A=]

Properly stored (dry) food in Mylar will not be impacted by moisture.

Other then that I 2nd the dehumidifier. With sump.

[EB85]

So it sounds like any decent size dehumidifier is a go. With a drain hose into the sump.

Now what about the actual storage? Would you go wooden, plastic, or metal construction? Cabinet? Shelves on caster wheels? However it comes together it will be supported on blocks so it's off the floor.

[Berncly]

I pretty much agree with what everyone has been saying, lots of us here with damp basements.
I just want to mention that in very wet conditions where you rely on the dehumidifier and the sump, power outages in storms and prolonged emergencies can be a problem.

Everything will shut down when you need it most, and in bad scenarios your stuff gets soaked.
Doesn't even need to be underwater, just needs to get saturated in prolonged very damp conditions.

Cans will rust, poorly sealed items will rot, cloth and other items will mold, metal shelving will rust, and wooden shelving will swell and crumble.
Desiccant will be quickly overwhelmed resulting in corroded ammo and rusted guns if not stored in airtight sealed containers.

My advice is if dryer conditions exist elsewhere in the house then use them if possible.
If you must use the basement and rely on the dehumidifier and the sump, then you may want to seriously consider investing in battery backup power and/or a generator for emergencies.

[JoshIronshaft]

I have the Vremi 4500sqft dehumidifier from Amazon. Its been running continuously since last August. Basement got to 30% humidity in a day and stayed there. So worth the money.

[thanker92]

I store almost everything in 5 gallon buckets with gamma seal lids. I get the buckets from a local ice cream/dairy shop and I get the lids by the dozen or more when I catch a sale. Cost is about 7 bucks per unit.

[Remington788]

Vacuum sealer?

[PAMedic=F|A=]

Vacuum sealer?

Are not really great for food storage. Okay for short term (couple of months). Mostly useful for documents, or things to u are placing in the freezer.