3 Food Storage Questions

[darkskies25]

Greetings to all preparedness enthusiasts!

This is my favorite forum, as I love to read all the tips, ideas, and experience people have for preparedness.

I have three questions.

1. I was given several 40 and 50 pound sacks of various dry goods (ABC soup mix, flour, rice, etc.) I do not have access to a dry pack canner. However, I do have lots of 5 gallon buckets with lids. I also have mylar bags and a vacuum sealer that can handle the bags. Is it better to fill a bag-lined bucket, toss in some absorbers, vacuum it, and call it good?

Or is it better to make smaller bags and then fill the buckets with these?

2. Are there any special or different handling things I need to address when sealing bags or buckets at high altitude (6000')? 1 less absorber, not so much in the bucket, etc?

3. What are some "out of the ordinary" items that you may have dry packed? An example would be a 5 gallon bucket of Frosted Flakes.

Thanks for any input and advice you have to offer!!

...

[BenRaines]

If not inconvenient I think it would be a good idea to make smaller bags. Easier way to use the product without exposing all to air. I would make several packages and put them in the one five gallon bucket.

Ben Raines

[hankpac]

I agree that it is best to use your 5 gal buckets as containers for smaller vacuum sealed bags. Makes it far easier to restock, in both directions, and when the buckets are damaged (almost inevitable) you don't lose the product.

Next: I thought ALL members (in fact everyone) has access to the canners. the nearest Bishop's storehouse will allow you to use theirs, and if you are not a member, the Bishop in your area will STILL allow you access to the canner when it comes to your area.

Talk to anyone in the local Ward or Branch, and ask who the canning specialist is. Then ask THEM to schedule some time for you on the canner.

If by some stretch of the imagination the local branch or ward isn't doing canning like they should, you can still ask them to arrange for the canner to be brought to town, and you can use it.

The vacuum sealer will give you a really good seal, and just drop one disc in each bag. Regardless of size, unless your bags are of a size to require two. The vacuuming of the bag prior to sealing will extend the shelf life a great amount.

As to out of the ordinary, I canned a 6 pack box of # 10 cans full of ammunition.

[dalepres]

Greetings to all preparedness enthusiasts!

This is my favorite forum, as I love to read all the tips, ideas, and experience people have for preparedness.

I have three questions.

1. I was given several 40 and 50 pound sacks of various dry goods (ABC soup mix, flour, rice, etc.) I do not have access to a dry pack canner. However, I do have lots of 5 gallon buckets with lids. I also have mylar bags and a vacuum sealer that can handle the bags. Is it better to fill a bag-lined bucket, toss in some absorbers, vacuum it, and call it good?

Or is it better to make smaller bags and then fill the buckets with these?

Using one large bag fills the bucket more efficiently. If you're intending the food for long term storage, you'll probably be living on it exclusively when you open it. It will go fast enough. If you're planning on living on it in the short term, within a few years, use the smaller bags so you don't have to live on it exclusively.

2. Are there any special or different handling things I need to address when sealing bags or buckets at high altitude (6000')? 1 less absorber, not so much in the bucket, etc?

You have to go to 18000 feet to cut the amount of atmosphere in half. The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere remains pretty constant. There's not enough change at 6000 feet to alter your packing procedures in regards to oxygen absorbers.

3. What are some "out of the ordinary" items that you may have dry packed? An example would be a 5 gallon bucket of Frosted Flakes.

Thanks for any input and advice you have to offer!!

...

Marshmallows? Dum dum suckers? Oxygen absorbers?

[darkskies25]

I truly appreciate the advice and information you've offered.

Food costs being what they are, I want to make sure I don't mess up the storage of these items.

Thanks again all!!!

[Guest DeborahC]

The Provident Living Website has a lot of great information!

[DansRib]

Somewhere I read that you need to be sure that your containers are made of FOOD GRADE plastic (due to off-gassing of some plastics). I guess the wrong kind could make you sick or make the food taste funny.