Are Gamma Lids Good for Food Storage?

Dec 16th 2021

When looking for a good air tight lid that you can use to store food in a 5 gallon bucket, look no further than the gamma seal lid*.

Yes, Gamma LidsⓇ are great for food storage! Food storage buckets with Gamma Lids are one of the best, high quality solutions you can find on the market for storing food in the long-term.

Not only do the 5 gallon bucket dimensions allow for you to store a mass quantity of food, the Gamma Lid (when used properly) makes sure to keep the food fresh. Let’s go over some of the most common questions people have about Gamma Lids so you can be confident when purchasing them for your long-term food storage.

What Does a Gamma Lid Do?

Gamma Lids are screw-on lids that create a strong seal while still being easy to open and close. They also last longer than regular snap-on lids.

To open a snap-on lid, you’ll have to pry it off with your hands or a bucket opener. When opening and closing these lids a lot, they will eventually become warped and the gasket will no longer seal completely. This means that over time, they will lose their ability to be airtight.

However, as long as you close it properly, the gamma seal lid would never have this problem. The gasket of a gamma seal lid is fixed to the outer rim of the lid, so it naturally fits snuggly up to the sides of the bucket. Since you don’t need to pry the gamma seal lid off, it always keeps its shape and doesn’t become warped. Gamma seal lids keep their secure airtight deal for many years of continual use.

What are Gamma Seal Lids Used For?

Gamma seal lids are perfect for when you need a convenient cover for food storage buckets that are opened and closed regularly. Food grade 5 gallon buckets with Gamma Lids are perfect for storing food items such as:

  • Flour
  • Beans
  • Sugars
  • Powdered milk
  • Pasta
  • Rice
  • Oats
  • Corn kernels
  • Quinoa
  • Animal feed

Gamma Lids for food storage are especially important if you’re planning on storing food for the long-term. Gamma Lids have high quality seals that can keep your food completely air tight, away from bugs and moisture. They can lock in the freshness of the products you are storing.

Are Gamma Lids Food Grade?

Yes, most Gamma Lids are made of food grade plastics; however, it’s very important to double check if your lid is food grade.

When in doubt, you should contact the manufacturer or look on their website for more information. When purchasing a bucket lid for the first time, go with a manufacturer that lists in plain language that their buckets are food safe, such as here at ePackageSupply.com!

To determine if a bucket is made of food grade plastic, examine the lid and look for the recycling symbol—which is a triangle made out of arrows. The number inside the triangle indicates the type of plastic used to make the lid.

  • 1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE): Plastics of this variety are usually transparent and food safe.
  • 2 - High-density polyethylene (HDPE): A stable form of plastic that is suitable for food storage.
  • 3 - Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl): These rigid plastics are typically used for building and construction.
  • 4 - Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): A more flexible version of HDPE that is also food safe.
  • 5 - Polypropylene (PP): A flexible and heat resistant plastic that’s food safe.
  • 6 - Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam): Usually used for takeout storage, though not used to produce buckets.
  • 7 - Other: The catch-all category of plastics that don’t fit into numbers 1-6. While some #7s may be bio-plastic and therefore food safe, there’s no surefire way to tell from the number alone.

Generally speaking, food safe lids and buckets are made from plastic numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Are Gamma Lids Watertight?

Yes, when sealed correctly, Gamma Lids can be water tight. Gamma Lids come in two parts, the rim and the lid that screws on and off. The rim is fixed to the bucket permanently. It is usually pounded down onto the bucket with a rubber mallet so it is secure. The inner lid can then screw on and off easily. Although they are much easier to open than regular snap-on lids, their gasket allows them to create a strong seal that is waterproof.

Who Makes Gamma Seal Lids?

ePackageSupply.com is your source for food grade, BPA free gamma seal lids for 5 gallon buckets!

We are a veteran owned business dedicated to helping make our community and world around us a better place. We were created on the values of hardwork, determination, and excellent customer service. We’re proud to have become one of the internet’s most trusted and successful sources of quality products.

On our website, you can review an assortment of buckets and lids, including our food grade 5 gallon buckets and our gamma seal lids to find the best fit for your needs. Have questions? Reach out to us today. We’re happy to help you find the best food storage options for your unique situation.

*ePackageSupply.com exclusively sells official Gamma Lid® products.