Longer-Term Food Storage

[Lostinoz]

I came across this site and thought it may help some people who are just starting out with prepping..

http://providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,7798-1-4224-1,00.html

Longer-Term Storage—30 Years or More

Properly packaged, low-moisture foods stored at room temperature or cooler (75°F/24°C or lower) remain nutritious and edible much longer than previously thought according to findings of recent scientific studies. Estimated shelf life for many products has increased to 30 years or more (see chart for new estimates of shelf life). Previous estimates of longevity were based on "best-if-used-by" recommendations and experience. Though not studied, sugar, salt, baking soda (essential for soaking beans), and vitamin C in tablet form also store well long-term. Some basic foods do need more frequent rotation, such as vegetable oil every 1 to 2 years.

While there is a decline in nutritional quality and taste over time, depending on the original quality of food and how it was processed, packaged, and stored, the studies show that even after being stored long-term, the food will help sustain life in an emergency.

New "Life Sustaining" Shelf-Life
Estimates (In Years)

Wheat 30+
White rice 30+
Corn 30+
Sugar 30+
Pinto beans 30
Rolled oats 30
Pasta 30
Potato flakes 30
Apple slices 30
Non-fat powdered milk 20
Dehydrated carrots 20

[Skyowl's Wife]

Tooo cool!

[Lil Bear]

Thanks! On the potato flakes, do you leave in the seal can or do you vacuum seal in smaller bags?

[Lostinoz]

Thanks! On the potato flakes, do you leave in the seal can or do you vacuum seal in smaller bags?

Hey Bear! The potato flakes in the #10 cans I leave as is.. For the larger containers, I do split it up into vacuum bags and then toss into a bucket. :)

[unswydd]

This is really great news Oz! Thank you! I had worried about this kind of stuff.

[Skyowl's Wife]

For the larger containers, I do split it up into vacuum bags and then toss into a bucket. :)

That's how I do it too :).

[herbalpagan]

Where do you get your mylar bags and oxygen absorbers from? (I'm going cross eyed from an internet search on the dang things after watching that video of dehydrating! lol)

[Skyowl]

Oxygen absorbers = http://www.sorbentsystems.com/order_...FQkzawod-SIJoA

Mylar bags for 5 gal buckets = https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/e...orage_bags.htm

5 gallon buckets = http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...roduct_id=9715

Don't forget the lids = http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/var...iant%5Fid=2287

[herbalpagan]

Thank you so much! Just placed an order. Got the buckets this weekend in town, just needed the mylar and h2o absorbers to go with it.:)

[Lil Bear]

What do you use to seal the mylar bags, or can you just pinch closed and fold over?

[herbalpagan]

I'm going to use my food saver for the smaller bags and an iron for the larger bags. I don't thin a clip would work since the idea is to have an airtight seal.

[Oscar Wilde]

[I'm going to use my food saver for the smaller bags and an iron for the larger bags. I don't thin a clip would work since the idea is to have an airtight seal.]

Duct tape? Saves havin to scrape all that scorched plastic offin the iron.
O.W.

[herbalpagan]

use a linen type towel or "pressing cloth" and there will be no scorched plastic. I also shelled out $15 bucks at the craft store for a heating iron for a project I was doing. It's small and will heat at hot as an iron and it's made for sealing stuff.

[Oscar Wilde]

Oh.....:o
O.W.

[Skyowl]

What do you use to seal the mylar bags, or can you just pinch closed and fold over?

I utilize the Wife's steam iron set to just below max setting. I iron the bag shut with a constantly moving iron. Have not had aanyting stick to the iron in over 60 bags sealed thus far.