How to Package Dry Foods in Mylar Bags for Long Term Storage

If you truly want to make your dry foods last, then you are going to want to properly package them in Mylar Bags to achieve the longest storage possible.

Food storage enthusiasts have raved about how good Mylar Bags are for storing dry foods for the long haul, but in order to maximize the shelf life of your products, you must ensure that you are following the correct procedure. The reason for this is that Mylar Bags are only ideal for long-term food storage if all proper measures were taken to secure the goods for a prolonged period.

To package dry foods in Mylar Bags for long-term storage you must invest in quality Mylar Bags that are thick, choose the appropriate dry foods that are ideal for long-term storage, properly seal your Mylar Bags, and then choose an optimal location that is dry and cool.

Whether you are planning for an end of the world scenario or simply like the idea of being prepared, there is no better way to do so than to have an adequate amount of food storage at home - with Mylar Bags being a key resource to utilize. These food-safe bags have been a fundamental component of so many people’s food storage systems, as they are one of your safest bets for securing the extended shelf life of your dry foods. Food storage enthusiasts that use Mylar Bags in their stockpiles have praised them for enabling their dry goods to last for decades, which is exactly how far you should be thinking ahead when preparing your stockpile. With that being said, if you want to achieve the maximum shelf life of your food items with Mylar Bags, you need to approach the storage packaging process with careful consideration, as a failure to do so can result in your products going bad. Keep reading to learn more about how to package dry foods in Mylar Bags for long-term storage.

After extensively researching dry food storage with Mylar Bags, I have gathered enough knowledge to understand the procedure of using them for long-term storage. My research has taught me that overlooking even minor details in the packaging process will easily lead to expired goods, which is why you want to be meticulous when handling your dry foods.

‍Mylar Bags: Packaging Dry Foods For Long Term Storage

Food storage has become a very popular practice in the United States - and with natural disasters becoming more threatening and global pandemics in full swing, there has never been a more important time to adopt this necessary survival practice. However, if you want to successfully plan a food storage system, you need to approach it with care so that you can guarantee the longest shelf life possible for your food items.

There are a lot of different strategies to utilize for food storage, but one of the best ways to secure your goods is to package them in Mylar Bags. Mylar Bags are food-safe bags that were designed for storing food items to maximize their shelf life. However, food storage can be a rather delicate process and if you overlook any essential aspects of the packaging process, you run the risk of your entire stockpile going to waste.

The last position that you want to find yourself in during an emergency is opening up your Mylar Bags to find that the food that you planned for your survival has been contaminated. To help you understand this further, we are going to take you through the entire process of packaging your dry foods in Mylar Bags for long-term storage.

Quality Mylar Bags

The thing about Mylar Bags is that they are not all made equal. When shopping for Mylar Bags, you are going to find that there are a ton of different options on the market - with some that are considerably better than others.

One of the first things that you want to look for when weighing out your options is a label that says ‘Food Safe’. Some low-end Mylar Bags are not designed with an optimum level of quality and will be made with materials that are not ideal for long-term storage. A food-safe plastic lining that separates your dry food from the aluminum packaging is going to be essential in determining the quality of a Mylar Bag.

Next, you are going to want to consider the thickness of the Mylar Bag. The golden rule with Mylar Bags is the thicker the better! Most of the low-end Mylar Bags that find out there are going to have packaging that is quite thin and will not last long in adverse conditions. We recommend going with Mylar Bags that are at least 5mm thick.

A 5mm thickness for Mylar Bags is the industry standard among real survivalists, as anything less than this can result in risky food storage. Lastly, if you are on the fence about which Mylar Bag to choose after determining these initial factors, the best way to secure a good buy is to go with a trusted brand that has built a solid reputation for itself. These Premount Mylar Bags have a great thickness and also come in a variety of different sizes.

Appropriate Dry Foods

When it comes to long-term food storage, there is no better option other than dry goods. Dry foods are the only items that you can rely on for decades - provided that you stored them properly in your Mylar Bags.

With that being said, some dry foods are going to last a lot longer than others. It is a common misconception among beginner survivalists that all dry goods will be ideal for long-term storage. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as the wrong dry food items can end up only lasting as little as 1-2 years in your food storage system. These are the key things you want to keep in mind when selecting the appropriate dry foods for your Mylar Bags:

• No moisture
• No oil
• No additives

For the most part, these will seem pretty common sense to most people, but undeniably, it can sometimes be tricky to identify whether your dry foods have any moisture, oils, or additives. The reason for this is that not all dry foods have the appearance of having any of these qualities, but in actuality, they often do. The best way to avoid any issues with your dry foods becoming contaminated in your Mylar Bags is to choose items that are guaranteed to be free of moisture, oils, or additives such as:

• Wheat
• White Rice

You can certainly opt for alternative dry goods, but if you want to play it safe, these are going to be your best bet.

Sealing Mylar Bags

Once you have decided on some good quality Mylar Bags and storage-friendly dry goods, you can begin sealing them shut.

The most common and practical Mylar Bags that we see are those that can be vacuum-sealed. Vacuum sealing your Mylar Bags is how you ensure that no oxygen or moisture will be able to contaminate your dry foods.

If you do not own a vacuum sealer, then you are going to want to invest in one to continue the process of properly storing your Mylar Bags. Depending on the Mylar Bags that you get, the process may vary slightly for getting your dry foods sealed.

In theory, all you need to do is place the edges of each side of your Mylar Bag to the vacuum sealer so that it can close each side tightly. Make sure that you are placing each side of your Mylar Bags evenly into the vacuum sealer so that you can get precise lines without any chance of openings. We find that it is best to leave at least a quarter-inch to a half-inch of space on each end.

You must pour your dry foods carefully into the Mylar Bags before you seal them shut. It is quite common to overlook contaminants entering your bags while pouring. Remember, keep moisture and any additional items from entering the Mylar Bag at all costs! You can secure the contents of your Mylar Bags even further by adding an oxygen absorber into the bag before you seal it shut.

Mylar Bag Storage Location

Once you have got your Mylar Bags filled and sealed, you can begin storing them for the long haul. There are a number of ways that you can approach the storage location of your Mylar Bags, but the one thing that you want to keep in mind is that the area that you choose should be as clean, safe, and stable as possible.

Although your Mylar Bags will already add an exceptional amount of shelf life to your dry goods all on their own, you can really seal the deal with your long-term storage by taking the right measures with your storage location.

You want to pick somewhere that is going to be dry and cool. There are some great areas around your home that will be ideal for this such as:

• Pantry
• Basement
• Storage Shed (insulated)
• Attic (insulated)
• Kitchen Cupboards

For the most part, you will find that all of these locations are perfect for storing your Mylar Bags long-term. However, you do want to inspect the area to confirm that the environment is going to be ideal before you commit to storing your goods there.

Make sure that the area has a stable temperature all year long - with minimal to zero sunlight entering the space. Next, you want to be sure that the area is going to be safe from pests. Mylar Bags are essentially moisture-proof if they are not punctured, but they can be subject to contamination relatively easily if you happen to have pests like rats or mice roaming around parts of your home.

To ensure that your Mylar Bags are not going to be contaminated, you should check up on them periodically to confirm that they are intact. To really seal the deal with your Mylar Bag storage, we would recommend investing in some food-safe buckets. This will add an extra barrier of protection from pests and environmental changes from heat and moisture.