The Pantry Storage Mistake That Damages Canned Food

Food cans, often made from aluminum, tin, or steel, may seem indestructible at a brief glance. But truth be told, they're not as invincible as they appear — you've got to handle them with care when you put them into storage. One common misstep, particularly for those dealing with limited pantry space, is stacking multiple cans or placing heavy items on top of them under the assumption that they are fully capable of withstanding the load.

Here's the deal: Adding one more can on top is usually fine. But stack three or four cans and you'll run into problems. All that weight will eventually compromise the integrity of the cans by deforming and causing the metal to dent or warp. These seemingly minor damages can then compromise the airtight seal of the cans, exposing the contents to air and bacteria. A long list of health hazards can arise from this, but the most worrisome of all, per the USDA, is the increased risk of botulism.

That's why organizations like the National Center for Home Food Preservation recommend not stacking cans more than two layers high. Also, you should avoid placing heavy items like glass jars or boxed foods on top of your canned goods. You don't want to risk spoiling all your food cans in exchange for a few extra inches of storage space.

Sometimes, stacking cans is unavoidable, especially if you're dealing with limited pantry space. But rather than piling them up haphazardly, take a step back and explore ways to make the most out of the space you already have.

There are various shelving options available to expand your pantry's storage capacity. For instance, attaching wire racks to the door can provide space for several more cans. And while the food cans themselves aren't stackable, stackable containers are. You can purchase these cheap, plastic bins and put your food cans inside, then stack them — no need to worry about the cans having to be weight-bearers anymore. Additionally, you can utilize empty wall space by installing hooks and baskets to hold lightweight cans.

If a pantry overhaul isn't feasible, you can shift things around a bit and do some re-organization to optimize the available space. For example, instead of placing heavier items on top of your cans, switch them around — store heavier items like vacuum-packed dry goods at the bottom, with cans placed on top of them separated by cardboard dividers. As you can see, it's not impossible to stash all of your canned goods safely in a small pantry space, all you need is a bit of creativity and elbow grease!