Posted: 3/12/2009 4:57:51 PM EDT
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Apolgizes in advance if this has been asked before, I'm a newbie and need some thoughts about long-term food storage. I've been buying food stuff each payday, getting some 25LB bags of rice, flour, etc., got the buckets, now getting the mylar/O2 absorbers.
However, what are your thoughts about this: Taking smaller portions of staple goods i.e., 5LB bags of sugar, flour and rice, 3-4 boxes of regular 12 oz pasta, 3 LB Bisquick putting them iALL in one large mylar/02 and sealing them in 5 gallon buckets? I ask this because I'm single (me and my lab), and yes I want some big pails full of rice, sugar, flour, etc., but think its also smart to take small quantiies, combine and seal them in one bucket also. Is this feasable or crazy? I know it will cost me more, buying smaller bags of these, but I'm not concerned. My goal is a one-year supply. Already set on many other items, and my plan is to bug-in (Plan A) and of course other contingencies are in final phases. Thanks in advance and all constructive critisims and suggestions are welcome. Bill in Oklahoma |
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I have asked the same question myself. Especially for a 1 or 2 person family, a 5 gallon bucket of rice will last a long time. Thats why I think I would be inclined toward smaller quantities of more things in each bucket.
No reason you cannot buy them in bulk though. despite the misgivings of some here toward the vacuum seal type bags, I think I might be inclined to fill some smaller bags, put in an O2 absorber, and than vacuum seal. Figure out how many buckets you need for the stock you want. Toss a bag of rice inside each bucket into a mylar bag if you feel the need for mylar. Do the same thing with the other things you want to store. pasta, beans, lentils, etc. When the mylar bag approaches full, throw in an O2 absorber and seal it up and put it back in the bucket. There are some ziplock style bags that can be vacuum sealed as well, that are much cheaper than the food saver bags. I have heard varying things about how well they work, ranging from near ideal to don't work at all. I suspect operator error, but have never tried them so YMMV. There are smaller mylar bags you could use if you so chose instead of vacuum sealed bags. |
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I like the 1 gallon bags LDS sells... 5 gallons of anything is way to much for me and the wife..Since we eat what we store and rotate I just dont want that large of a bag of anything
I dunno if I would put several items in 1 bag tho... Would probably make everything taste the same over time??!!?? In the 1 gal bags I put: 5lbs of rice 3 lbs of elbow mac 12 cups of dehydrated potato dices or hashbrowns 1 - 5lb bag of flour 1 - 5lb bag of sugar Also if a seal fails and the food spoils I only lose a gallon instead of 5.. Paid like $94 for 250 bags at LDS.. Free shipping but you do have to pay tax on taxable items.. |
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To me the purpose of the mylar is to protect, not necessarily store the food once opened. IE I put it in the biggest bag/largest quantities I can to cut down the cost of bags/o2 absorbers and better use of storage room. I have plastic containers to put the food in once the seal is broken. I always try to buy in bulk then use those little clear plastic bottle/jars to store it in while I use it.
Nothing wrong with diving it up, but IMO its waste time/money. |