Product Overview
This ShieldPro 5 Gallon Mylar Bag and Oxygen Absorber Kit is designed for bulk long-term food storage in standard 5 gallon buckets. Each kit includes heavy-duty 5 mil Mylar bags and matching 2000cc oxygen absorbers to help protect dry foods from oxygen, moisture, and light.
Use these bags for storing dry goods such as rice, beans, wheat berries, pasta, oats, flour, corn, dehydrated foods, and other low-moisture pantry staples. When properly sealed and stored in a cool, dry place, Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers can help extend the shelf life of many dry foods for years.
Available Kit Options
- 10 count 18"x28" 5 mil zip seal Mylar bags with 10 count 2000cc oxygen absorbers
- 10 count 18"x28" 5 mil open top Mylar bags with 10 count 2000cc oxygen absorbers
- 10 count 18"x24" 5 mil open top Mylar bags with 10 count 2000cc oxygen absorbers
Better Bucket Fit: 18"x24" Option
The 18"x24" bags fit more comfortably inside a standard 5 gallon bucket. Most standard 5 gallon buckets are about 14" to 15" tall, so a 24" tall bag gives you roughly 9" or more of extra bag material above the bucket. That leaves plenty of room to fold, heat seal, and close the bucket lid without fighting excessive extra material.
The 18"x28" bags provide more headroom and work well for customers who prefer extra sealing space, but the 18"x24" option is often the easier choice for bucket-based food storage.
How Much Food Can This Kit Store?
This 10 bag kit can store up to approximately 350 lbs of food, depending on the type and density of the food being packed.
Approximate capacity per 5 gallon Mylar bag:
- Rice or wheat: 30 to 35 lbs
- Beans: about 25 lbs
- Oats: about 15 lbs
- Pasta: varies by shape and density
Dense foods like rice, beans, and wheat pack tightly and leave less air space in the bag. Less dense foods like pasta, oats, and dehydrated foods leave more air space and may require additional oxygen absorbers.
Oxygen Absorber Recommendation
Use 1 2000cc oxygen absorber per 5 gallon Mylar bag for dense dry foods such as rice, wheat berries, and beans.
For less dense foods such as pasta, oats, freeze-dried foods, or dehydrated foods, use 2 2000cc oxygen absorbers per 5 gallon bag for better oxygen absorption coverage.
For smaller bags, use approximately 300cc to 600cc of oxygen absorbers per 1 gallon Mylar bag.
Why Use Mylar Bags for Long-Term Food Storage?
Our 5 mil Mylar bags are made with a 5-layer PET/Foil/Poly structure for strong long-term food storage protection. This barrier construction helps protect stored food from three of the four major shelf-life enemies:
- Oxygen
- Moisture
- Light
The fourth major shelf-life factor is temperature. For best results, store sealed food in a cool, dark, dry location away from heat, pests, and direct sunlight.
Best Foods for Long-Term Storage
The best foods for long-term storage are dry foods with a moisture content below 12%. Lower-moisture foods generally store longer and are safer for oxygen absorber use.
Good long-term storage foods include:
- White rice
- Wheat berries
- Dry beans
- Lentils
- Pasta
- Oats
- Flour
- Corn
- Powdered milk
- Dehydrated vegetables
- Freeze-dried foods
Do not use oxygen absorbers with moist foods, oily foods, or foods that are not suitable for low-oxygen storage.
What You Need to Store Food in 5 Gallon Mylar Bags
To pack dry food for long-term storage, you will need:
- Dry food suitable for long-term storage
- A 5 gallon bucket or other hard-sided container
- A tight-fitting bucket lid
- A 5 gallon Mylar bag
- Oxygen absorber packets
- A straight edge, level, or 2x4 at least 14" long
- A clothes iron, impulse sealer, or clamshell heat sealer
The bucket protects the bag from punctures, pests, and handling damage. The Mylar bag provides the oxygen, moisture, and light barrier. The oxygen absorber removes residual oxygen from the sealed bag.
How to Use 5 Gallon Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers
- Place the Mylar bag inside the bucket.
- Fill the bag with dry food, stopping about 1" below the top of the bucket.
- Add the oxygen absorber to the bag. It can be placed on top of the food or deeper inside the bag.
- Lay a straight edge across the bucket opening.
- Fold the top of the Mylar bag over the straight edge, keeping the sealing area smooth.
- Heat seal the bag using a clothes iron, clamshell sealer, or impulse sealer.
- Allow the seal to cool.
- Gently squeeze the bag to check for leaks. If air escapes, reseal the bag.
For 4 to 5 mil Mylar bags, a clothes iron usually works best at a medium-high to high setting, but always test on a small corner first. A proper heat seal should form quickly, often in 1 to 2 seconds, depending on your iron or sealer.
Do Mylar Bags Need to Shrink Tight Around the Food?
Not always. Some foods create more empty space than others, and oxygen absorbers remove oxygen, not all air. Nitrogen and other gases may remain in the bag. A sealed bag does not have to look vacuum-packed to be working correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods are best for long-term storage in Mylar bags?
Dry, low-moisture foods are best. Examples include rice, beans, wheat berries, oats, pasta, lentils, flour, corn, dehydrated vegetables, and freeze-dried foods. For best results, choose foods with moisture content below 12%.
How long will food last in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers?
Shelf life depends on the food, moisture content, storage temperature, packaging quality, and seal quality. Many dry foods stored in proper conditions can last 5 to 10 years or longer. Cool, dry, dark storage conditions are important.
How many oxygen absorbers should I use in a 5 gallon Mylar bag?
Use 1 2000cc oxygen absorber for dense foods such as rice, beans, and wheat. Use 2 2000cc oxygen absorbers for less dense foods such as pasta, oats, dehydrated foods, or freeze-dried foods.
How many oxygen absorbers should I use in a 1 gallon Mylar bag?
Use approximately 300cc to 600cc of oxygen absorbers per 1 gallon Mylar bag, depending on the food density and amount of air space.
Are 18"x24" or 18"x28" Mylar bags better for 5 gallon buckets?
Both sizes work. The 18"x24" bag fits more comfortably in most standard 5 gallon buckets and still leaves enough extra material to seal. The 18"x28" bag gives more extra material above the bucket, which some customers prefer.
Can I use these bags without a bucket?
Yes, but a bucket or hard-sided container is strongly recommended. Mylar bags provide the barrier protection, but buckets protect the bags from punctures, pests, stacking damage, and rough handling.
Do I need a vacuum sealer?
No. For long-term dry food storage, you typically use oxygen absorbers and a heat seal. A clothes iron, impulse sealer, or clamshell sealer can be used to seal the bag.
