Today, I have something really important to share with you. It's a complete guide on buying and using Mylar bags for DIY stockpiles. These bags can turn the chore of storing calories into a simple, easy, and dare I say, "fun" task. And even more important, they can extend your food storage shelf life from years to decades!
What Is Mylar Anyway?
Mylar is a polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate. It was invented by the DuPont Chemical Company in the 1950s. This material is extremely light, flexible, and thin, yet durable and strong. Mylar has many uses, including helium balloons, solar filters, emergency survival blankets, and insulators. Due to its properties, it's ideal for long-term food storage.
Why Use Mylar Bags For Food Storage?
Mylar bags are the best tool for food storage because of their high tensile strength, flexible material, and isolating properties. These bags are strong, light, and tight, allowing you to fill and seal them without worrying about ripping or losing the quality of your stored food. They create an airtight seal, isolating the food from oxygen, moisture, and light. By removing these elements, you can extend the shelf life of your food and ensure its quality.
Image source: annamrestaurant.vn
How To Use Mylar For Your Food Stockpile
To use Mylar for food storage, it's important to start by purchasing the right sizes and thicknesses of bags. For smaller food items, such as spices and dehydrated meats, 1-gallon bags are perfect. For larger bulk grains like rice and beans, go for the 5-gallon size. When it comes to thickness, opt for at least 4.3 mils to ensure the best quality. A thicker bag will provide better protection against moisture and light.
Image source: annamrestaurant.vn
Mylar's Biggest Weakness = Rodents
One weakness of Mylar bags is their vulnerability to rodents. These critters can chew through unprotected bags, compromising your food stockpile. To protect your food from rodents, it's essential to use thick, hard plastic buckets. Place your sealed Mylar bags inside these buckets to create an additional protective layer. Make sure to use food-grade buckets that are specifically designed for food storage.
Add Oxygen Absorbers / Desiccant
Before sealing your Mylar bags, it's crucial to add oxygen absorbers to remove any oxygen trapped inside. Oxygen absorbers prevent bacteria growth and help maintain the quality of your stored food. The number of absorbers you should use depends on the size of the bag, and it's better to err on the side of using a few extra absorbers to ensure the best results. Additionally, you can use desiccants to remove moisture from the food.
How To Seal Your Food With Mylar
Sealing your Mylar bags is a vital step in ensuring the long-term preservation of your food. For a successful seal, you need a flat bag free of debris, enough heat to melt the Mylar material together, and proper heat control to avoid damaging the seal. You can use a heat sealer specifically designed for Mylar bags, a clothes iron, a hair straightener, or a vacuum sealer (with a workaround for smooth bags). Each method has its pros and cons, so choose what suits you best.
DIY Food Storage Organizational Tips
Organizing your food stockpile is essential for easy access and management. Use a Sharpie marker or sticky labels to label your Mylar bags with the contents and the sealing date. This way, you'll know exactly what's inside each bag without opening it. You can also keep the information section of the food's original packaging and place it between the bag and the bucket seal for future reference. Staying organized will save you time and allow you to make the most of your food storage.
Image source: annamrestaurant.vn
Mylar Food Storage Action Plan
Now that you know the essentials of using Mylar bags for food storage, it's time to take action. Follow these steps to upgrade your food stockpile:
- Decide which foods you want to store and purchase them.
- Get the right sizes of Mylar bags (1-gallon or 5-gallon) and enough oxygen absorbers.
- Purchase food-grade plastic buckets (5-gallon) to provide extra protection against rodents.
- Choose a sealing method that suits your needs (heat sealer, clothes iron, hair straightener, or vacuum sealer).
- Organize your Mylar bags by labeling them with a Sharpie marker or sticky labels.
- Add the information section of the food's original packaging for reference.
- Store your sealed Mylar bags in the buckets in a cool, dry, and secure location.
- Enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have a well-preserved and easily accessible food stockpile.
Remember, knowledge without action is worthless. Take the necessary steps today to secure your food supply for the future.
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