Soooooooo I may have another question. Do you guys prefer to have a bear grade barrel or to hang your food sack from a tree? I would gladly read the pros and cons in preparation of being the mastermind behind my future adventures. As always happy paddling.

For the last 10 years, I have stashed my food pack in the woods away from any game trails. I keep a very clean camp and make sure all my food is sealed to eliminate odors. I also use LOKSAK OPSAK Odor-Proof Barrier Bags for anything that has been opened. In 10 years, I have never had an issue.

Neither. Stashed for many years now I use an Ursack. The key is a clean camp and a bit of luck

Last year I recall the forest service made hanging or true "bear resistant" containers required for Alpine, Seagull, Jasper, Red Rock and Rog.
Anyone know if that was temporary, just for last year, or is it still in effect?
Depending on OP's route, that could have an impact.

sns: "Last year I recall the forest service made hanging or true "bear resistant" containers required for Alpine, Seagull, Jasper, Red Rock and Rog.
Anyone know if that was temporary, just for last year, or is it still in effect?
Depending on OP's route, that could have an impact.
"

I think that was temporary, but such restrictions could always happen again if people misbehave enough to embolden local bears.

EDIT: The order stated the restrictions would remain in effect until specifically withdrawn, and I can't find any official withdrawal of them anywhere. I thought I remembered reading they ended, but I can't find any evidence that the USFS ever actually ended the restriction.

Loopy - few issues here have less consensus than this one. Whichever you go with, keep camp clean and beware mice are a bigger concern than bears.

I have hung food pack for 20 years, look forward to the tradition and sport if it, and have finished every trip with too much food and all intact. I will add I have never left food at a site alone. Besides a rope and pulleys are least expensive option.

Loopy, I started out hanging a dry bag years ago when backpacking. Rented a Garcia bear canister once and never went back to hanging. It's much simpler. I now also use an Ursack with the OPsack. My food is mostly dehydrated/freeze-dried. Canisters are small, but I've learned how to take just the amount of food I need, and can pack quite a bit of food in one - usually 8-9 days. As others have mentioned, keeping things clean and minimizing odors is also key.

boonie: "I now also use an Ursack with the OPsack. My food is mostly dehydrated/freeze-dried...As others have mentioned, keeping things clean and minimizing odors is also key.
"

My approach now as well.

So far only bears I have seen were at camp grounds and outfitters’ properties around the edges of the BWCA.

billconner: "Loopy - few issues here have less consensus than this one. Whichever you go with, keep camp clean and beware mice are a bigger concern than bears.


I have hung food pack for 20 years, look forward to the tradition and sport if it, and have finished every trip with too much food and all intact. I will add I have never left food at a site alone. Besides a rope and pulleys are least expensive option. "

This has been our approach for over 40 years. To Bill's mention of "the tradition and sport" of hanging the food pack, I must add "entertainment"--my wife has had many laughs (at my expense, of course) during some of my food hanging efforts.

TZ

I've never hung my food. I've stashed the food pack in the woods away from trails or I've stored it in a BearVault or in an Ursack. Always, however, the food is double-bagged in Ziplock freezer bags (better seals than the regular bags). The only animals who have given me trouble are squirrels and mice when the food has been in camp.

billconner: "Loopy - few issues here have less consensus than this one. Whichever you go with, keep camp clean and beware mice are a bigger concern than bears.


I have hung food pack for 20 years, look forward to the tradition and sport if it, and have finished every trip with too much food and all intact. I will add I have never left food at a site alone. Besides a rope and pulleys are least expensive option. "

+1 on the level of positive debate this has provoked over the years :). I look forward to this discussion whenever it pops up because I'm always interested in how others accomplish the security of their food stashes.

I regularly carry a blue barrel but I don't always hang it depending on what's available at a site and/or the season. Early shoulder season outings tend to cut me slack on stashing my barrel in the woods. A bungie cord and a pile of pots with a rock help secure it in place and set an alarm in case a bear finds it. Ursacks and bear vittles containers are interesting adaptations and I could see myself going that way on some trips to save weight and bulk of what I'd have to carry over a portage.

Just some food for thought.

I go with a blue barrel and a sound grenade. You tie the sound grenade to a tree and attach the pin to the barrel. If a bear knocks the barrel over, or moves it trying to get into the food, the sound grenade goes off letting us know there is a problem, and hopefully buying us enough time to get to barrel and scare off the bear.

No method is fully bear proof. Hanging, which is our alternative, doesn't seem to have any better of a track record and has it's own risks. And that's IF you find a decent hanging tree. I just got sick of climbing trees to get down snagged ropes and struggling to get a heavy pack more than 6-8 feet off the ground.

I use a bear vault. Hanging bags was the most difficult stressful part of setting up camp. When I decided to take my first solo, it was the obvious choice to lower my anxiety surrounding taking a solo trip.

Up until recent (past few+ years) we always hung, with my own 2-rope & pulley system. I can hang a pack most anywhere, not requiring a "perfect" limb. However, we have since switched to bear vaults for the most part. They are lighter than blue barrels. I still put food in zip locks inside (also note, they are not waterproof should you swamp). If you do go w/ hanging food, use pulley(s) to spare yourself and the trees; I use two long, light wt. climbing ropes. And, get a little ditty bag you can zip a rock into, and tie to rope for tossing.
Having a bear in camp is not only dependent on your tidiness, but also the tidiness of the parties before you. We've had 1 incident of a bear in camp on the Horse portage. Clearly not his/her 1st rodeo. We keep a clean camp, do not cook smelly stuff (no meat/fish, etc.), .... this bear came in at dusk, and came back at dawn. She was already conditioned to this site, even though she scored zero from us. (btw, we bailed - opted to delay breakfast and skedaddle, as she got increasingly aggressive/resistant to leaving). Even when we bring bear vaults for food I still throw in a good rope, for safety/rescue purposes.

Does anyone have experience with the CCS Food Packs?

I have always hung my food packs until last year. I tried a barrel for the first time and I really liked it. The only things I didn't like about the barrel, is the shape makes it somewhat harder to organize things, and it can be a little uncomfortable while portaging.

With the CCS food packs, I like the rectangle shape, it seems like it would be a little easier to organize than the barrels. However, I have never used one and dont know anyone who has. If the food packs were more "bear resistant" I think it'd be a no brainer for me.

If I do go barrel route, I will purchase the CCS barrel pack because it looks comfy and I like the extra pockets.

Thanks for any input on this!

HappyPaddle22: "Does anyone have experience with the CCS Food Packs?


I have always hung my food packs until last year. I tried a barrel for the first time and I really liked it. The only things I didn't like about the barrel, is the shape makes it somewhat harder to organize things, and it can be a little uncomfortable while portaging.


With the CCS food packs, I like the rectangle shape, it seems like it would be a little easier to organize than the barrels. However, I have never used one and dont know anyone who has. If the food packs were more "bear resistant" I think it'd be a no brainer for me.

We started out hanging our food pack but years ago switched to a blue barrel for the convenience. If it's just two of us we use a 30L barrel and actually trip with it in a CCS insulated food pack which is much more comfortable than a barrel harness. The 30L barrel will fit in either the solo or deluxe size pack, and the remaining room is filled with the camp kitchen. Once in camp the barrel gets stashed in the woods.
If it's a party of four, then we bring a 60L barrel in the CCS barrel harness. The insulated food pack still comes with and contains the first night's steaks and the first morning's fresh breakfast, as well as the Helinox tables and Sunset chairs and the camp kitchen.

I use the Ursack with the Loksak and will probably never go back to hanging.

I have used the CCS Deluxe Food Pack for a dozen years or more along with the CCS stuff sacks designed for the pack. It works very well for our style of carrying ingredients, not meals. With rope and pulleys we hang entire pack easily.

I have also observed that many reported bear incidents seem to be during the day when the group is out fishing or day tripping. We nearly always move everyday or, if laying over, stay in camp because if weather. In other words, we are always in vicinity of the food pack. Might be considerations.

Relative to barrels, canisters, ursaks, etc., I'm inclined to believe the food pack is lightest and least expensive solution. YMMV

Two trips every summer and we haven't done either for probably 15 years. Food packs are Duluth Pack food packs which we stash under the boats at night. Never had a problem. Realize there's always the first time. Keep a clean campsite.

LoopyLoons: "Soooooooo I may have another question. Do you guys prefer to have a bear grade barrel or to hang your food sack from a tree? I would gladly read the pros and cons in preparation of being the mastermind behind my future adventures. As always happy paddling. "

My food protection plan varies;

Sober - Food pack is hung from the tree.
Buzzed - Food Pack is hid in the brush ala Cliff Jacobson.
Drunk - Food pack is forgot by the fire pit.
Hammered - Food pack is randomly slung into the woods. Makes for a fun game of "where the hell did my pack go?" next morning.

All kidding aside...I pretty much hang my pack. Some camps have better trees than others, but I can almost always find a tree.

I don't do the blue barrel thing as it seems to bulky. I won't carry a food specific pack, just a small stuff sack with my stove, pot and pan and some food. It doesn't take up much space in the pack.

HappyPaddle22: "Does anyone have experience with the CCS Food Packs?


I have always hung my food packs until last year. I tried a barrel for the first time and I really liked it. The only things I didn't like about the barrel, is the shape makes it somewhat harder to organize things, and it can be a little uncomfortable while portaging.


With the CCS food packs, I like the rectangle shape, it seems like it would be a little easier to organize than the barrels. However, I have never used one and dont know anyone who has. If the food packs were more "bear resistant" I think it'd be a no brainer for me.


If I do go barrel route, I will purchase the CCS barrel pack because it looks comfy and I like the extra pockets.


Thanks for any input on this!"

I have the Condos Food pack which is almost the same as the CCS food pack, i also have a barrel harness from Granite Gear for both a 30l and 60l. I have torn every barrel harness i've ever used, from trying to grab them by one strap and sling them up, might move on to ostrom and see if that's any better. I love the Condos food pack for comfort, so much better than a harness and barrel, and also the shape as you described makes it easier to see into. The barrel is critter proof, but the CCS/Condos pack is sealed with a zipper, so im not sure mice would get into one either, hasn't happened yet.

TrailZen: "

billconner: "Loopy - few issues here have less consensus than this one. Whichever you go with, keep camp clean and beware mice are a bigger concern than bears.



I have hung food pack for 20 years, look forward to the tradition and sport if it, and have finished every trip with too much food and all intact. I will add I have never left food at a site alone. Besides a rope and pulleys are least expensive option. "

This has been our approach for over 40 years. To Bill's mention of "the tradition and sport" of hanging the food pack, I must add "entertainment"--my wife has had many laughs (at my expense, of course) during some of my food hanging efforts.


TZ"

I have to agree with you both on all points, especially about keeping your wife entertained. Mine has had many a good laugh at my expense, lol. Eventually, I almost always get it 10 feet up and 6 feet out.

Five gallon pail with gamma seal lid near camp.

I know there was to be no math but 5 gallons is 1155 cubic inches, and CCS pack is 4968 cubic inches. Nice having two seats and two tables, but I think I'd still prefer hanging my food pack. A 16 gal blue barrel is 3696 cubic inches. And I've rarely found a pack as comfortable as the CCS.

Savage Voyageur: "Five gallon pail with gamma seal lid near camp. "

+1. Simple. Easy.

This is one of about 3 systems that i have used to carry food into the backcountry. The pail works for my shorter, solo excursions. The barrel is my go-to for longer trips.

Thanks for all the input guys. I made this post after working a 16 hour shift so I barely remember posting it. But I am glad I did because now I have something to go off of. Happy paddling.

bobbernumber3: "

Savage Voyageur: "Five gallon pail with gamma seal lid near camp. "

+1. Simple. Easy."

Yep.

I use a hybrid model. I bring two bear vaults and just stash them at night. The bear vaults don't hold a lot so the rest of the food hangs from a tree. Usually the food pack won't be very heavy since a lot of food is in the vaults so its easier to pull up in the tree. toward the end of the trip there is not much left in the hanging bag or you can transfer the remainder to the bear vaults. I have no idea why I do it this way but I bought the expensive bear vaults and by golly I'm going to use them!

I used to talk about hanging and how it was part of the tradition for us on our trips to hunt down a good tree and toss the rock up a few times until it works. Some sites are better than others, some have few good options. But I have come to realize that unless you use the two tree method and hang it in the middle most bear hangs are woefully inadequate and won't work for a determined bear.

We bought a couple Bear Vaults a few years ago and guess what...I don't miss the "tradition" of hanging the packs anymore. When you are done with the food for the night walk them out into the woods a ways and stash them, not on a trail of any kind. Just remember where you put them:)

We still hang any excess food and trash the first night or two until there is room in the Bear Vaults for all of it, but have much less concern about it - if a bear gets that it is of little consequence.

BV's make solid food storage options that are weatherproof and rodent proof which is often a bigger concern than bears anyways - and they also make good places to sit as long as they are fully closed. You won't ever catch me hanging our primary food supply again.

lindy - 2 bear vaults - like a BV500 in size? How many people for how many days?

I get 20-25 person-days in my CCS, roughly 7 times the volume of theBV500 - 700 cu in.

campnfish:"I have the Condos Food pack which is almost the same as the CCS food pack, i also have a barrel harness from Granite Gear for both a 30l and 60l. I have torn every barrel harness i've ever used, from trying to grab them by one strap and sling them up, might move on to ostrom and see if that's any better. I love the Condos food pack for comfort, so much better than a harness and barrel, and also the shape as you described makes it easier to see into. The barrel is critter proof, but the CCS/Condos pack is sealed with a zipper, so im not sure mice would get into one either, hasn't happened yet."

Do you mainly use the food pack then? And have you tried the CCS barrel harness packs? I am leaning towards the 60L barrel and CCS harness. I am the one who organizes and plans food for every trip, and I am usually traveling in a group of 4 sometimes 5 or 6. And when it is just the GF and the dog, I figured the 60L barrel would be plenty for food plus our cookware. I do really like the shape of the food pack though, so I am torn at the moment. Eventually I will have both systems in all sizes

Just to make it more difficult for some, clipped this about Adirondacks:

"ADK rents and sells the Garcia Backpacker’s Cache at the High Peaks Information Center, and also supports the use of the Counter Assault Bear Keg and the Wild Ideas Bearikade. The BearVault and Frontiersman bear canisters are not effective in the High Peaks Wilderness. Bear hangs, including Ursacks, are not legal alternatives."

Always a hider, not a hanger for the many reasons already offered. I have gone to the 30L blue barrels - rodent proof, bear resistant, water proof, crush proof (nearly...), contains smells, makes a good seat or table, or adhoc washing machine. I now have the CCS 30L barrel packs (which will also fit an 8 gal. bucket, btw) w/ pockets. If buying again, I'd go w/o pockets - they don't fit much and are always in the bilge (if you lay them down...) and stuff gets crushed in them. Put a layer or two of closed cell foam pad (i.e. - sleeping pad....) in the bottom of the pack - it protects the fabric from getting contact worn by the heavy barrel on granite/gravel. Before going to the CCS packs, I fit two 30L's side by side in a Granite Gear #4 pack - they really won't fit in anything else - again, pad the bottom to save wear/tear on the pack fabric and put a closed cell sleeping pad inside the pack around the barrels w/ the doubled up side at your back for more padding. Good for 4-6 people for 10 days, nothing but food, but can get real heavy. Thus going to the CCS packs. (note - LOVE the lower grab loop on the CCS packs!) With 2-4 people, I can get the kitchen in there too. Have not done the barrel harness thing (you can use the CCS packs as just packs too - so more versatile) and have not done the 60L...to large for me and fewer config options. Note - a 10" frying pan will fit into a 30L barrel - if you squeeze (oval...) the mouth of the barrel a bit. My $.02.....FWIW. Also, ditch the ziplocs and get a food sealer - water proof/smell proof and you can make almost any size bag you need. Note - don't vaccum everything, just seal the bags. A 'vaccumm' sealed bag of dried fruit becomes a single lump of fruit, so just seal, not vaccum. Just sayin'....

portagedog09: "Always a hider, not a hanger for the many reasons already offered. I have gone to the 30L blue barrels - rodent proof, bear resistant, water proof, crush proof (nearly...), contains smells, makes a good seat or table, or adhoc washing machine. I now have the CCS 30L barrel packs (which will also fit an 8 gal. bucket, btw) w/ pockets. If buying again, I'd go w/o pockets - they don't fit much and are always in the bilge (if you lay them down...) and stuff gets crushed in them. Put a layer or two of closed cell foam pad (i.e. - sleeping pad....) in the bottom of the pack - it protects the fabric from getting contact worn by the heavy barrel on granite/gravel. Before going to the CCS packs, I fit two 30L's side by side in a Granite Gear #4 pack - they really won't fit in anything else - again, pad the bottom to save wear/tear on the pack fabric and put a closed cell sleeping pad inside the pack around the barrels w/ the doubled up side at your back for more padding. Good for 4-6 people for 10 days, nothing but food, but can get real heavy. Thus going to the CCS packs. (note - LOVE the lower grab loop on the CCS packs!) With 2-4 people, I can get the kitchen in there too. Have not done the barrel harness thing (you can use the CCS packs as just packs too - so more versatile) and have not done the 60L...to large for me and fewer config options. Note - a 10" frying pan will fit into a 30L barrel - if you squeeze (oval...) the mouth of the barrel a bit. My $.02.....FWIW. Also, ditch the ziplocs and get a food sealer - water proof/smell proof and you can make almost any size bag you need. Note - don't vaccum everything, just seal the bags. A 'vaccumm' sealed bag of dried fruit becomes a single lump of fruit, so just seal, not vaccum. Just sayin'...."

Great tips! Thanks!

Does anyone know if the 30L or 60L barrels are sold in any stores in Minnesota? I want to buy one but would like to avoid the $25 shipping cost. Thanks

Midwest mountaineering usually has them, call ahead...

REI, Piragis in Ely, Duluth pack store, there is a store in Grand Marais that has them too...all of these are variable when they have them. Not always in stock.

I am sure many places in Ely have them other than Piragis, that’s all I can remember at the moment.

T

timatkn: "Midwest mountaineering usually has them, call ahead...


REI, Piragis in Ely, Duluth pack store, there is a store in Grand Marais that has them too...all of these are variable when they have them. Not always in stock.


I am sure many places in Ely have them other than Piragis, that’s all I can remember at the moment.


T"

Awesome, thank you! I am pretty sure REI doesn't carry them anymore though. I will give Midwest Mountaineering a call, love that store!

I think Rutabaga may have them also.

Our groups bring Bear Vaults BV500s. We feel they are better the Ursacks as the food can not be smashed, rodents can't get in the bags, and the barrels are clear so you can see what's inside. Also, they can be used as chairs or tables. I typically bring one BV500 per day for a group of 6 men. That is breakfast and dinner for 6 guys each day. I divided the bear vaults between the canoes, two to a canoe. We have never had one breached and we have had bear and moose in camp.

ockycamper: "Our groups bring Bear Vaults BV500s. We feel they are better the Ursacks as the food can not be smashed, rodents can't get in the bags, and the barrels are clear so you can see what's inside. Also, they can be used as chairs or tables. I typically bring one BV500 per day for a group of 6 men. That is breakfast and dinner for 6 guys each day. I divided the bear vaults between the canoes, two to a canoe. We have never had one breached and we have had bear and moose in camp."

I may get one if the budget allows. Just have to buy my hammock and water filter then I can go hog wild with other stuff. Thanks.

Happy paddling,
LoopyLoons

I do what I can to keep my pack weight as bare as possible. I'd rather not bear the weight of a barrel when a rope to hang my pack weighs barely anything. I might try hiding my pack in the woods but, concerned I'd lose my bearing and go hungry. That would be unbearable as I would really miss the packed berries; also somewhat embarrassing.

Feel so much better now that I've bared that here.

lol

billconner, we use two BV 500s for the two of us for a 5-6 day trip but we always bring way too much food, particularly snacks. We do have the smaller BV too for a longer trip if needed. Maybe one day I will learn to not bring to so much gorp, nuts, dried fruit and nutrition bars that could sustain a group of 4 for a week:(

We usually only hang the first night or two and that is trash and anything bulky - we like to bring a pack of 6 bagels with us and they usually are hung the first day or two until they fit in the BV.

It is so much nicer to just walk them out into the woods at dusk than trying to find a good hanging tree and execute it properly. Don't miss that. So far no issues and it's been quite a few years. I have confidence in them and that helps too.

I started my BW adventures with hanging food bags. and eventually switched to one of those blue barrel backpack rigs. I will put my personal pros and cons:

Standard Cloth Food Pack:
Pros: Super easy to get into and out of the canoe. Easy to portage. Easy to hang up during the night. Pockets!
Cons: Wonky fit on the back when portaging after you start eating through your food. If you forget to hang it the little animals (pine martins, chipmunks, et al) WILL get in and eat stuff. Not waterproof. If you are in a burn are you are going to have a hard time (sometimes) finding a good tree to hang your bag.

Blue Barrel:
Pros: Waterproof. Great to portage. Makes for a good table for cutting food. Easy to hide off trail during the night. Easy to hang if you use the hang handles on the pack rigging (don't hang from the backpack straps... found that out the hard way).
Cons: Can be a pain in the butt to get in and out of the canoe when full. No matter what anyone tells you, it isn't "bear proof". Kind of annoying nearing the end of the trip when it is mostly empty.

At the end of the day, I still use both depending on the length of the trip and the food I am bringing. If I am doing a solo or a paddle with just one friend I will run the cloth pack. During my yearly group trip, it is the barrel (2 actually) in order to feed 6 people and not worry about the cloth.

Hopefully this is helpful.

Just to point out, there is a big difference in the Bear Vaults like the BV 500 and the blue barrels. Bear Vaults are bear proof, blue barrels are not. We started out with blue barrels. The larger kind. Fully packed no one wanted to lift or portage them. The group likes the Bear Vaults much better as they weigh less packed then a blue barrel.

ockycamper: "Just to point out, there is a big difference in the Bear Vaults like the BV 500 and the blue barrels. Bear Vaults are bear proof, blue barrels are not. We started out with blue barrels. The larger kind. Fully packed no one wanted to lift or portage them. The group likes the Bear Vaults much better as they weigh less packed then a blue barrel."

I use a 30L blue barrel. If we are going on a longer trip and have more food than that, then we bring a second food pack that is much easier to hang. With double portaging, I find that gear/personal packs including tackle boxes on the first portage, then canoe and food pack on the second trip works best. Having 1 food pack in each canoe helps spread out the load. Then when one food pack gets emptied, that person can carry paddles and water bottles.

Black bear encounter on Knife lake

Sow removed a 30l barrel from tree and then walked away.

I have used a barrel. I now use a bear vault. I do hang the trash bag if it does not fit in a food container. I have a tennis ball that i ran a loop through for getting the line over a branch. Dutch sells a pct stick. my two cents.

Glad to see the thread is still going! Thanks guys love the community. as allways happy paddling.

LoopyLoons

Speckled: "

LoopyLoons: "Soooooooo I may have another question. Do you guys prefer to have a bear grade barrel or to hang your food sack from a tree? I would gladly read the pros and cons in preparation of being the mastermind behind my future adventures. As always happy paddling. "

My food protection plan varies;


Sober - Food pack is hung from the tree.
Buzzed - Food Pack is hid in the brush ala Cliff Jacobson.
Drunk - Food pack is forgot by the fire pit.
Hammered - Food pack is randomly slung into the woods. Makes for a fun game of "where the hell did my pack go?" next morning.


All kidding aside...I pretty much hang my pack. Some camps have better trees than others, but I can almost always find a tree.

I don't do the blue barrel thing as it seems to bulky. I won't carry a food specific pack, just a small stuff sack with my stove, pot and pan and some food. It doesn't take up much space in the pack.
"

So true, all of this!

portagedog09: "Always a hider, not a hanger for the many reasons already offered. I have gone to the 30L blue barrels - rodent proof, bear resistant, water proof, crush proof (nearly...), contains smells, makes a good seat or table, or adhoc washing machine. I now have the CCS 30L barrel packs (which will also fit an 8 gal. bucket, btw) w/ pockets. If buying again, I'd go w/o pockets - they don't fit much and are always in the bilge (if you lay them down...) and stuff gets crushed in them. Put a layer or two of closed cell foam pad (i.e. - sleeping pad....) in the bottom of the pack - it protects the fabric from getting contact worn by the heavy barrel on granite/gravel. Before going to the CCS packs, I fit two 30L's side by side in a Granite Gear #4 pack - they really won't fit in anything else - again, pad the bottom to save wear/tear on the pack fabric and put a closed cell sleeping pad inside the pack around the barrels w/ the doubled up side at your back for more padding. Good for 4-6 people for 10 days, nothing but food, but can get real heavy. Thus going to the CCS packs. (note - LOVE the lower grab loop on the CCS packs!) With 2-4 people, I can get the kitchen in there too. Have not done the barrel harness thing (you can use the CCS packs as just packs too - so more versatile) and have not done the 60L...to large for me and fewer config options. Note - a 10" frying pan will fit into a 30L barrel - if you squeeze (oval...) the mouth of the barrel a bit. My $.02.....FWIW. Also, ditch the ziplocs and get a food sealer - water proof/smell proof and you can make almost any size bag you need. Note - don't vaccum everything, just seal the bags. A 'vaccumm' sealed bag of dried fruit becomes a single lump of fruit, so just seal, not vaccum. Just sayin'...."

Every word of this is very sage advice.