What Are Food Storage Facilities?

‍Food storage facilities have changed the way that food can be stored. Some foods can even last a decade or more when adequately stored this way.

Food storage facilities should be viewed in two ways. There are cold storage facilities and dry storage facilities meant to store your foods. Combining both is an excellent way to ensure you are maximizing your full food storage potential. This guide covers both storage facility types in depth.

Depending on the kind of food, food storage facilities can store food for a diverse number of years to even decades. The storage facilities can be long-term or short-term. It all depends on the kind of food. Dried foods will last longer in storage than foods with higher amounts of moisture. Foods with moisture can also fare well in storage, provided they can be refrigerated the right way to eliminate the risk of infestation or spoilage.

We have seen and examined different food storage facilities and are putting out everything we have observed. This is to help you make an informed decision regarding your food and the way you are currently storing it. Keep reading to get all of the information you need to get started with food storage facilities.

‍What Are Food Storage Facilities?

Food types are the first and most notable factor when discussing what kind of food storage facility is best for you. The simplest way to define a food storage facility is any area or facility where food is kept, stored, or preserved under suitable conditions.

By learning how to best store each type of food, you can master the art of food storage and better understand how food storage facilities work so effectively.

1. Perishable Foods And Refrigerating

Of all the food types on this list, perishable foods are the ones you should be most concerned about because their spoilage rate is higher.

Perishable foods are characterized by their high moisture content. The water content of these foods makes them susceptible to microbial activities, and they must be stored as soon as they are harvested or purchased. Examples of such foods are:

• Fruit
• Meat
• Eggs
• Dairy
• Vegetables

The storage facility best suited to perishable food is through the cold regulation of their temperature. By slowing the rate of activities microorganisms undergo, perishable foods will have a longer shelf life.

Freezers and refrigerators cause the temperature of foods to fall and allow food to reach optimal temperatures to last longer. However, the fact that perishable foods have been preserved does not mean they should be stored for life. It is best advised that these foods are consumed 2-7 days upon storage.

Frozen foods can last much longer, and after six months, the nutrients in the frozen foods will start to decay.

How To Use A Cold Food Storage Facility

Clean The Foods Thoroughly

The foods to be stored should be cleaned thoroughly to ensure they are devoid of debris around them and not to stain the freezer or refrigerator.

Move them into food containers.

Refrigerators or freezers have a system that combines gases and electrical energy to give the cold they do.

It is best if the foods are in a food container before they are moved to a food storage facility, this will ensure there is no direct interaction between the food and the elements in the refrigerator.

They Should Be Cleaned After A Batch Of Food Have Been Moved Out Of Them.

The cleaning keeps the cooling system in a reusable condition and keeps them away from pests and insects.

Pros

• Multiple cabinets to store different food
• Prolonged shelf life

Cons

• Freezer burns
• Eventual spoilage

2. Non-Perishable Foods

Non-perishable foods are dryer foods that have a significantly reduced chance of spoilage. The reduced moisture and oil content increases the ability for storage and overall shelf-life for longer preservation. Examples of foods that fall into this category:

• Grains
• Flour
• Dried fruits
• Dried mixes
• Spices
• Canned food

Examples of dry storage include a simple vacuum kit or container or a cool, dry room. The temperatures of this place can protect them from the extremes of hotness and coldness.

Most of these foods might not be procured in their dried state. Extra efforts should be taken to rid them of their moisture if you intend to store them.

The moisture can be reduced through the use of dehydrators to ensure that moisture levels are decreased below threatening levels.

Depending on their size, if they are small enough, kits can also be used to contain them once they have been dehydrated. The food storage facilities best suited for non-perishable foods are food kits and containers and are to be stored in a dry environment.

How To Use A Dry Food Storage Facility

Foods Should Be Dry And Clean

Bringing non-dry food into a dry storage facility makes them susceptible to spoilage.

Keep Them Away From Pests And Insects

Dry food facilities naturally keep moisture away from foods to achieve the purpose of the facility. Since most insects and pests can survive this temperature, unlike the cold food storage facility, they are attracted to these foods, making them a target for pests and insects.

Extra measures should be taken to ensure these stored foods are out of the reach of these vermin. Foods can even be given secondary packaging to keep them out of the reach of these pests and insects. Likewise, insecticides and pesticides should be used around the food, not directly on them.

After a drying operation, they should be cleaned in anticipation of the next batch.

This will ensure nothing festers where they are kept. The goal is to eliminate the growth of bacteria in or around your storage area to ensure you can extend the shelf-life as long as possible in a safe manner.

Pros

• Very long shelf life
• Reduced size
• Mobility
• Development of new aroma and taste 

Cons

• Exposure to pests
• Lost of nutrients
• The process of drying is energy-consuming.

The Overall Benefits Of Food Storage Facilities

It curtails food wastage.

Food wastage has always been a concern of humanity since the beginning of our civilization. It is an utter waste of our resources and time. Since the inception of food storage facilities, food wastage has been reduced significantly, and more research is still going into food storage facilities.

Foods will now stay fresh for a longer time.

After being harvested foods will immediately begin to lose their freshness. This freshness can be attributed to looks, texture, smell, and taste, and all foods should always be analyzed before being eaten. Food storage facilities can help foods to maintain their freshness, thereby making food available to you.

Bulk purchase is possible.

If you buy your foods in bulk, there is also a high chance of reducing costs. The problem with bulk purchases is that the possibility of you consuming them before they spoil is low. Food storage facilities can do for you to ensure that the foods are still wholesome for consumption after time has passed since you purchased them.

Year-round consumption

Several foods are seasonal, and the emergence of one means the disappearance of another. When food storage facilities are used, they help you have a year-round consumption of various foods to ensure your family is consuming proper nutrients with all of their meals.

How To Approach Food Storage Facilities?

There's no such thing as the best food storage facilities. Food storage facilities are suited to specific kinds of food, and it is best to utilize the different types in your home.

For foods with high moisture content that can't be dried, they should be refrigerated as this will reduce the rate of microbial activities in them.

For foods with no moisture content, they are stored in facilities that keep their moisture content at that level. Whole foods with reduced moisture content are usually passed through two storage facilities. They are typically dried then stored in food kits and containers.