Tried something new for food packing on September trip. It's a pet food barrel. I measured it... 30 liter. Screw on lid with rubber seal, indented handles on side. It held food for four people for five days.

We also had a medium sized soft-sided cooler for lunches in another pack. I carried this barrel in a Kondos pack, sitting on it's side on top of two sleeping bags. Rode nice while taking pack and canoe. It was a little heavy on our first portage... the 320 into Skipper....ugh.

I used three of the round CCS little food packs in it and then stuffed around those. Hung it in the pack at night with the soft lunch cooler on top of it. I thought it worked well. Just another option.

They have different sizes also. Here is Pete with a shorter version spring 2013.

butthead

butthead: "
They have different sizes also. Here is Pete with a shorter version spring 2013."

I usually carry two this size for a two week trip. I find it useful for helping to divide/separate foods for different meals. I'll typically put breakfast and lunch in one and dinner and other kitchen items (e.g., spices) in another . This makes it a bit easier to find what you are looking for, rather than having to rummage through all your food to find that one thing you are looking for. Of course, carrying two of these increases my weight slightly ... two lids weigh more than one.

I'll also typically carry one even smaller (about 1/4 this size to carry liquids (e.g., cooking oil, etc.) and one more if I'm taking an adult beverage. I find it useful to minimize liquid spills.

The larger ones will fit, side-by-side, at the bottom of my granite gear pack and then other things are packed around and on top of this.

dd

Here is a picture of the smaller one used for liquids. The smaller size does not have a gamma seal, but rather a screw on lid covered by a snap-on "measuring cup." Larger sizes have a screw-on, gamma seal lid.


Other tips: If you leave the gamma-sealed containers out in the rain, a small amount of water will accumulate around the top of the gamma seal. Be sure to drain/dry this area before opening; otherwise, a small amount of water will enter the container. If you hang, this is less of a problem, but I generally "ground" my food. This is also the reason that I use two medium-sized containers. If a bear decides to raid my camp, there is no way that they will get away with ALL of my food on one trip ... simply cannot get two of these in his/her mouth at one time. Also, not being in a pack, there are no handy "carry straps" for them to nab. And not having food in a pack in camp minimizes rodents chewing holes in them. I've been doing this for at least a half-dozen years without a problem.

Where do you purchase such containers?

Mine was a freebie from work but I would suspect you could find them at large pet food warehouse stores. Maybe try Chewy

Yup, I checked......both sizes on Chewy

US Plastic also sells Vittles Vaults .

Just looking at the USP containers and doing some size/volume comparisons. Mine is 30 liters and is 12x12x15.

Vittle vaults are made by the same company that makes and sells the Gamma lids. I picked up two of the mid-size ones from Foster and ????, out of Rhinlander, WI.

CB

Foster and Smith

Petco also has them.

butthead: "
They have different sizes also. Here is Pete with a shorter version spring 2013.

butthead"

They don't make you look any better, do they?? I look old and tired there. I got mine at Fleet Farm. Being square seemed efficient in a rectangular pack.

Just thought I'd let folks know; I just saw 3 sizes of bottles vaults at Home Goods. Prices seemed pretty good too.

Vittles not bottle. Damn auto-correct

Cedarboy: "Foster and Smith"

Dr's Foster & smith is now owned by Petco

Home goods has them regularly for a decent price.