A Beginner's Guide to Mylar Storage Bags
Mylar food storage bags are the ultimate tool in long-term preservation and prepping. Unfortunately, our society does not value prepping, either for long-term instability or plain old convenience. However, mylar food storage bags are poised to change that, offering a mix of adaptability, durability, affordability, and convenience.
A Strong, Flexible Barrier that Won’t Break the Bank
Mylar food bags are made of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film metalized with aluminum layers and sometimes coated with polyethylene (PE). In practical terms, mylar bags seal out gasses, moisture, oxygen, and light. Moreover, their tensile strength is extraordinary, considering their flexibility. Finally, you can purchase them at a very affordable price.
Perfect for Dry, Low-Fat Foods
Preppers can use mylar food bags for long-term (5+ years) storage of anything that is low-moisture and low-fat. You can keep any food you wish in mylar bags; however, fatty foods have a much shorter shelf-life – perhaps 2-5 years. If you are unsure whether a food is fatty, leave it on a napkin for 15 minutes. If it leaves a grease stain, it's not suitable for long-term storage.
Here is a list of foods that are perfect for long-term storage in mylar food bags -
· Dehydrated Fruits/Veggies
· Flour
· Whole Grains
· Pasta
· Sugar
· Dried Beans
· Powdered Milk
· Cereal
· Spices
The following foods are great for temporary storage and transportation in mylar bags but have a much shorter shelf life due to moisture or fat content –
· Whole-Wheat Flour
· Barley
· Brown Rice
· Brown Sugar
· Chips and Cookies
· Granola
· Jerky
· Nuts
· Seeds
· Dried Eggs
· Milled Grains
Mylar bags are great for any food for ultra-short-term storage, like camping trips and travel!
10 Steps for Easy Use: Mylar Bags
1. Acquire food-grade buckets for bulk or long-term storage. They mitigate mylar bags’ only weaknesses – rodents and puncture damage. Furthermore, buckets can make filling large bags much easier. They are a great space-saver and added layer of protection for your food stores.
2. Have oxygen absorber packets handy in their sealed container. Keep them sealed until you are ready to close the mylar bags, or they will start absorbing oxygen too early. Some storage items may require desiccants as well.
3. Lay out all the bags you need. Whether you are just packing snacks for a road trip or are getting ready to fill storage, make sure you have enough bags!
4. Add labels and dates to each bag. If you wait to do this until after you seal the bags and you are storing more than one type of food, you may forget which type is in each bag!
5. Fill the bags.
6. According to the bag's size and contents, add oxygen absorbers or desiccants to the mylar bag as necessary. We recommend at least 100cc per quart. Of course, it is always better to overestimate how much absorption you need.
7. Seal the bags. Do your best to squeeze as much air out as possible. Feel free to use the zip closing function for ultra-short-term storage if your bags are so equipped. It's a terrific convenience for snacks! For other storage, apply heat to seal the bag completely. The most convenient ways to seal mylar food storage bags are hair straighteners, clothes irons, clamshell heat clamps, and impulse heat sealers.
8. Allow about 4 hours for the oxygen absorbers to work their magic. You may notice the bag “deflating,” this is normal. It may or may not deflate completely – neither case is a sign of a malfunctioning oxygen absorber.
9. Add your bag(s) to the food-grade bucket and place it in storage. Congratulations, you have protected your food!
10. Mylar food storage bags are reusable! Make sure to wash and dry them thoroughly. Careful cleaning will allow you to reuse your mylar bags repeatedly, saving you time and money.
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