Types Of Food Storage

Types of Food Storage

Canned:

· Food stored in metal cans and glass canning jars can last well beyond the manufacturer’s expiration date as long as the can or jar has not been compromised.  Always check the lid of glass jars to make sure the seal has not been broken.

· Food store in metal or glass jars is best for shelf storage.

Vacuum Sealed:

· Vacuum Sealed food will last for years in the freezer.  It is the best way to store frozen foods.

· Vacuum sealed foods are not good for storage outside of the freezer if using vacuum sealing bags.  If using mylar bags with the vacuum sealer they work quite well.  However, if your mylar bags are not made for the vacuum sealer you make have to use a strip of regular vacuum sealer bag at the opening of the mylar bag in order for the vacuum sealer to pull the air out of the mylar bag.

· Silica gel packets or oxygen absorbers work well with mylar bags and a vacuum sealer.

Mylar Bags:

· Mylar bags are perfect for long term dry food storage.  They are made with a mixture of plastic and metal.  This prevents oxygen from leaking through the bag.

· You can order mylar bags that are resealable.  Add an oxygen absorber and no vacuum sealing is needed. To further ensure the resealable top is closed you can run an iron over the top edge to add a stronger seal.

Food Grade Buckets:

5 gallon food grade buckets are perfect for food storage.  You can fill mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and food, then add the filled mylar bags to a food grade bucket with a silica pack.  This will remove possible oxygen, moisture, light,  insects, and rodent issues from your food.

· Silica will do well in a full #2 plastic food grade bucket, oxygen absorbers will not last as long.

· Make sure your buckets are food grade.  Food grade will have a 2 embedded in the plastic on the bottom of the bucket.

 

Note:

· When storing food for long term food storage you can extend the expiration time to 10-30 years by simply selecting the best way to repackage and store that type of food.

· When storing in jars, cans, and buckets make sure to have your containers full so the oxygen absorbers or silica packs can work more efficiently. If there is a lot of excess air or moisture in the container.