Product Review: Gamma Lids
I have to admit I have a new love … GAMMA LIDS! I don’t know how I lived for 2 years doing food storage without knowing the beauty of the Gamma Lid.
I went from using one of THESE: |
To the joy and ease of using THESE: |
So what is a gamma lid anyway?
A gamma lid is a lid that will fit most 12″ diameter buckets, and will transform your bucket into a wonderful storage container. The lid is special because it has two polymer gaskets, giving the bucket an air tight seal, and yet it is simple to open by turning the top part of your lid with your hand. No special tools necessary to access your food! Another great feature is that the lids come in a variety of colors, so you can color co-ordinate some of your food storage. When you have a lot of buckets of different foods this can be a huge time saver.
Gamma lids make storing food in 5 gallon buckets so simple, that you may prefer to start storing the bulk of your food that way as opposed to smaller containers such as #10 cans. This can save you a lot of money in the long run because you can buy foods in bulk, and you don’t need to worry about canning them yourself to preserve the foods.
Where can you buy gamma lids?
- Emergency Essentials - Lids are either $6.50 each or $7.50 each (depending on your location) + shipping.
- Alison’s Pantry - $7.39 per lid + shipping and handling.
- Pleasant Hill Grain - $8.95 per lid + FREE shipping (on orders over $99), $7.95 flat rate shipping otherwise
- Stores in some areas carry these locally for $5 or $6. If you have found them in a store near you please leave a comment below and let everyone know where they are!
Trust me when I say that the $5-$10 investment is well worth the money and you can use them over and over again. For anyone that is storing long term food storage items in 5 gallon buckets, purchase a set of these TODAY! You can thank me later 
http://www.freckleface.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/gammaseals.html is where I purchased my gamma lids … and I LOVE THEM! A 14 pack (same color or mixed colors) was $5.34 each - plus shipping. The more you purchase you can get the lids as low as 3.99 each. Freckleface had super quick shipping and very reasonable as well.
Sounds like a great deal, thanks for the tip! It did look like shipping was a bit more expensive there, so people will just need to price out what ends up being cheapest for them in their location. I’ll have to add this site as an option for sure though!
I found these a few weeks ago and am really excited too
I got mine at usaemergencysupply. I calculated the cost for each one (including shipping) and it was 6.76. I got 18 of them. I couldn’t beat the price.
Did you know that a lot of grocery store bakeries will GIVE you (for FREE) their empty icing buckets? Here in CO, I get mine from King Soopers. They are food grade, 3.5 gallon buckets and are very sturdy/good quality. I also tried getting some from Sams Club, but their buckets were cheaper in quality.
I am using the free buckets with the gamma lids for my long term food storage. I also bought some oxygen absorbers to put in the buckets just to make sure
Thanks for your site, I love it!!!!
Did you replace all your lids with the gamma lids or are you waiting to replace them as you open them to use them?
I have a set of these and LOVE them they are so worth the money. One of the best things about them for me is that the kids are able to get into the containers too. ( I often send the kids out to the food storage area to replenish our kitchen cupboards. These allow them to open with out help from an adult.)
I try to get the buckets free from the grocery store bakery department. I bring them home and wash them and stick on my gamma.
I do the same as Danielle- get buckets for free, clean them and add gamma lids. I read somewhere that white rice and wheat don’t need to be airtight to last 30 years (I rotate through my stuff every few years, so I am sure I am safe). So I have gamma lids for everything but my white rice and wheat.
I love these lids - I could never get into the buckets without help even with the tool. Now I have no trouble and I feel more secure about keeping my food air tight. I have been able to buy these lids at Walmart, Costco and Harmon’s Grocery all for under 6 dollars. They come in a variety of colors which helps to keep things organized at a glance. Does anyone know where to get the mylar liners?
Hey Ashley, Gama Lids are not to be used for long term food storage. They are simply an ease solution to using things that you already have opened in your food storage. They do not have a permanent tight seal like the regular bucket lids. I agree they are wonderful. I live in St. George Utah and the Your family still maters store has them for 6$.
Winco and Macey’s grocery stores carry these. Both are around $5. Macey’s is priced at that price point for the case lot sale that ends the 27th and Winco’s are always that price. Honeyville grain has them on sale for $5 something too. Hope that helps.
I am new to long term food storage and am learning that there is a lot of information out there!! I have a question on storing grain (wheat, rice, oats) in 5 gallon buckets with a gamma seal lid: do you still have to use the mylar bags and oxygen absorbers? Please let me know. Thanks!
Gamma lids are great! However if you are using them for long-term storage - beware - They are NOT recommended for use with oxygen-absorbers!
I bought my gamma seals at BayTec.org for $5.95 each. They have all the colors everyone else does plus PURPLE! They also have buckets, water storage, etc. I love them because they really protect your stored food items and they are easy to open.