How to Store Food Using Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers
If you decide to store a significant amount of food, using Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers is a very economical method to do so. For around $75 you can purchase 10 buckets, 10 5 gallon or 50 1 gallon Mylar Bags and corresponding Oxygen Absorber. That is enough to store up to 350lbs of food.
To store food in this manner, you will need (in addition to your food):
1) Bucket - Any hard-sided container with a tight fitting lid can substitute.
2) Bucket Lid.
3) Mylar Bags (5 gallon bags are for bulk food storage; if you plan on using your long term storage regularly, 1 or 2 gallon bags are more convenient).
4) Oxygen Absorbers. (Use 300-600cc per 1 gallon bag, and 2000cc-3000cc for a 5 gallon bag)
5) A straight edge, such as a level or 2x4 at least 14” long.
6) A clothes iron or clamshell heat sealer.
Steps:
1) Put Mylar Bag into bucket. If using a 5 gallon bag in a 5 gallon bucket, you will have a significant amount of material protruding from the bucket. This is normal. All the excess will be folded into the bucket at the end.
2) Heat your iron, setting it on a middle setting if sealing a 3-3.5mil bag, on 3/4 high setting if sealing a 4-5 mil bag, and on high for a 7.5mil bag. (In all cases, test on a corner of a bag to ensure the right setting)
3) Put your oxygen absorber(s) into the Mylar Bag. It does not matter if it is on top or bottom of the food.
4) Fill Mylar Bag with food, up to about 1 inch from the top of the bucket. A 5 gallon bag will hold around 30-35 lbs of wheat and rice, 25lbs of beans, and 15lbs of oats.
5) Place the level or straight edge across the top of the bucket, as close to the center as you can. Fold the bag over the level, keeping the surface as smooth as possible ( a little tricky and will take some time to learn).
6) Seal the bag by running the iron across the bag where it is lying on top of the straight edge. The bag should seal very quickly if the iron is hot enough, no more than 1-2 seconds of the iron touching the Mylar.
7) After your seal has cooled, very lightly squeeze the bag. If you can make small ‘bubbles’ or pockets of air, the bag is sealed correctly. If you notice you can squeeze air out of the bag, it is sealed incorrectly. It is very normal to have problems with bags a high percentage of the time when you are first learning to seal them.
8) To view an actual demonstration, please review our FAQ at www.adviceandbeans.com/food-storage-faq/ About halfway down there is a link to a post with pictures and a video.