This is a question with so many correct answers because it is based on your individual goal. How many people are you storing food for? How long would you like your stockpile to last? How much do these people eat? Which foods are you planning on storing?

It’s nearly impossible to answer, but it is possible to give some guidelines and some examples.

Habitual Heart Mylar Bag Kits are designed to provide a variety of bag sizes, ideal for common storage items in common package sizes. (Check out this article for more on that.) And to get a general idea of what you might need, let’s look at a scenario. 

Scenario: one person aiming to have 2000 calories daily for a month-long emergency. Let’s assume that we can store most of these dry items in mylar. Here’s how you could use the 100-bag kit (30 gallon bags, 40 quart bags, 30 half-pint bags).

Grains and Cereals:

• 5 quart size bags = 10-15 lbs of rice
• 5 quart size bags = 5-8 lbs of pasta
• 3 gallon size bags = 15-20 lbs of flour
• 2 quart size bags = 2-3 lbs of oatmeal or other hot cereals
• 2 gallon size bags = 2-3 lbs of cereal

Legumes and Beans:

• 4 quart size bags = 5-8 lbs of dry beans (such as black beans, pinto beans, or lentils)

Canned Foods (or Freeze-Dried Equivalents):

• 3 gallon size bags = 10-15 cans of canned vegetables (such as green beans, corn, or peas) or 1-2 #10 cans of freeze-dried vegetables
• 3 gallon size bags = 10-15 cans of canned fruits (such as peaches, pears, or fruit cocktail) or 1-2 #10 cans of freeze-dried fruits
• 5 quart size bags = 10-15 cans of canned meat or fish (such as tuna, chicken, or salmon) or 1-2 #10 cans of freeze-dried meat or fish
• 5 quart size bags = 10-15 cans of canned soup or chili or 1-2 #10 cans of freeze-dried soup or chili

Dry Goods:

• 10 half-pint size bags = 2-3 lbs of powdered peanut butter or other nut butter
• 1 gallon size bags = 2-3 lbs of nuts or trail mix
• 3 quart size bags = 2-3 lbs of crackers or other snacks
• 1 gallon size bag = 2-3 lbs of granola or other snack bars

Beverages:

• 30-45 liters of bottled water (aim for at least 1 gallon per day)
• 1 gallon size bag = 5 lbs powdered milk
• 5 half-pint bags = 10-15 packets of powdered drink mix (such as Gatorade or Crystal Light)

Other:

• 5 half-pint bags = 1-2 lbs of salt
• 10 half-pint bags = 1-2 lbs of seasoning/spices
• 1 quart size bag = 0.5-1 lbs of sugar
• 0.25-0.5 gallons of cooking oil

In total, this scenario uses about 2/3s of the 100-bag kit in the form of 14 gallon bags, 29 quart bags, and 30 half-pint bags. This scenario is a generous calorie allotment and does not consider other sources of food and storage methods. If those factors are considered, you could use the whole 100-bag kit and store enough for 2 adults for one month.

That being said, they have to be used correctly to get the benefit, and they are not the most user-friendly if you don’t have these tips at the ready. So here are eight tips to get the most from your oxygen absorbers.

1. DON’T open the packaging until you are ready to seal your container.

This had to be said first because as exciting as it is to open your new Habitual Heart Mylar Bag Kit, please, please, please don’t open the sealed packets of oxygen absorbers until the last minute. They are packaged in small quantities to preserve freshness. Oxygen absorbers go to work as soon as they hit oxygen and do their best work in the first few hours. Leaving a package open with no job to do will “expire” the oxygen absorbers, and they will not work as well or at all, depending on how long they have been exposed.

2. Not everything needs an Oxygen Absorber.

Sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda are the top four food items that do not need an oxygen absorber for long-term storage. An oxygen absorber will turn these foods into bricks, so unless you have a chisel ready, it’s best to skip the oxygen absorber. More importantly, moist and fatty foods are not good candidates for mylar bag storage with oxygen absorbers. Anything over 10% moisture should be avoided not to create an anaerobic environment ideal for bacteria like botulism. Freeze-dried fruit is a great candidate for mylar bags, but partially dried fruit (like a prune) should be avoided. Similar to a bloated can, or a popped lid on a jar, a bulging mylar bag is a sign it is no longer good.

3. Choose the right size and number of oxygen absorbers.

When it comes to oxygen absorbers, size matters. Not the size of the actual oxygen absorber but the volume of oxygen it will absorb, which is measured in Cubic Centimeters (CC). You need to choose the right size and number of oxygen absorbers for the amount of food you’re storing. Oxygen absorbers come in different sizes, ranging from 50cc to 2000cc. The rule of thumb is to use one 300cc oxygen absorber for every gallon of food. Be sure to use the right number of oxygen absorbers to ensure that all the oxygen is absorbed from the bag. It is not a problem to use more CCs than are needed, but underusing could result in a less-than-optimal storage environment. Habitual Heart Kits include 130 300cc oxygen absorbers. This is more than enough for 1 per bag. The additional 30 more are intended for the flexibility to double up on the 1-gallon bags, reuse bags, or use them elsewhere in your food storage needs.

4. Check and Seal the Mylar bag.

It’s always a good idea to inspect your bag before filling it. Check for damage and holes that would impact its ability to create an airtight seal after heat sealing. Mylar bags with a zipper seal are great for items you are not storing long-term. The zipper also comes in handy to hold the bag closed for heat sealing in any position. A zipper WILL NOT give you an airtight seal so you must heat seal if you want your oxygen absorbers to work to their maximum capacity for a truly extended shelf life. Similarly, oxygen absorbers can not be reused. The extra oxygen absorbers included in the Habitual Heart Mylar Bag Kit are there if you need to reuse a bag (intentionally or due to user error).

5. Manually remove air.

Manually removing air before you heat seal is one of the best ways to make the oxygen absorbers work as efficiently as possible. To do this, add your oxygen absorber and close the zipper 3/4ths of the way. Then gently push the majority of the air out of the bag before closing the zipper completely. Finish with a heat seal. You can take similar actions if you are using oxygen absorbers with vacuum-sealed bags and jars.

6. Use the assembly line technique.

When getting ready to seal any container you are using oxygen absorbers on, try the assembly line technique. Do every part of the process you can first, like inspecting, filling, labeling, etc. When you are ready for sealing, line up all containers and quickly open and place oxygen absorbers before sealing immediately. This limits the exposure oxygen absorbers have between their sealed packaging and your sealed container. If you have the Habitual Heart Mylar Bag Kit, try to work in groups of 10 to match how oxygen absorbers are packaged by 10s.

7. Store extra absorbers.

If you have extra oxygen absorbers, quickly place them into a small airtight container to reduce exposure. The best containers are ½ pint glass jars with gasket seals, vacuum-seal bags, or another mylar bag (small and heat-sealed).

8. Store Mylar bags properly.

Once you’ve sealed the Mylar bag with the oxygen absorbers inside, you need to store it properly. Keep the bag in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from sunlight, heat, and moisture. The ideal temperature for storing food in Mylar bags is between 50°F and 70°F. Avoid storing the bags in places like the garage, attic, or basement, where the temperature and humidity levels can fluctuate. Most Mylar users go on to store bags in food-safe containers for additional protection against rodents as well as ease of transportation. Habitual Heart Mylar bags are designed with rounded edges so as not to puncture other bags when stored together. If you have ever got a paper cut, wait until you get a Mylar cut (ouch!). Make sure to look for rounded corners when shopping for Mylar bags. 

Using oxygen absorbers with Mylar bags is an effective way to prolong the shelf life of food. By following these tips, you can ensure that your food stays fresh and safe for a long time. Remember to choose the right size and number of oxygen absorbers, seal the Mylar bag properly, store it in a cool, dry, and dark place, and work fast to ensure effectiveness. With these tips, you can enjoy the benefits of long-term food storage with Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers.

A prepared pantry means having anywhere from three to six months of storage for your everyday items. Everyday items include food, toiletries, consumables, paper goods, medications, etc. If I were to enter into a no-spend period, that would mean that I would be depleting my storage. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t touch your storage. No! Please cycle through your items to ensure everything stays fresh, but you should always be replenishing. It wouldn’t be great to have a natural disaster hit at the end of your no-spend pantry challenge when you’re coming down to odds and ends and “getting creative.” a  No-spend challenge also restricts you from stocking up on a good deal. What’s the point of doing the challenge if you make tons of exceptions? 

Budgeting and being prepared come hand in hand. It needs to be a lifestyle, not a fad diet. It’s proactive to always be on the lookout for discounts on your everyday product and be working on and restocking your stockpile. Don’t misinterpret that to spend over and buy more than you can afford or consume before it expires, and certainly don’t just buy something because it is a good price. Once you get to a month’s worth of supplies, it’s wise to slow down and make purchases only when you find affordable prices.

Part of what allows this mindset of only shopping sales is the ability to store your items, especially food, properly. Six things that have made it possible for us are (in order of lowest cost to investments) mylar bags, a vacuum sealer, a pressure canner, a dehydrator, a deep freezer, and a freeze dryer.  All of these items give you more control over food preservation and extend the shelf-life of foods. A good example is flour. If you were to buy a large 25 lb bag of flour (and you’re not a baker), the chances of you using that whole bag in six months or before some other pest found its way into the original packaging is slim to none. But suppose you were to package that up into mylar bags, you are extending the shelf life up to 20 years, eliminating the concern of expiration dates and allowing you to make larger, budget-driven purchases without worry.

The scarcity mindset is the other worry you eliminate by not subscribing to no-spend challenges. If you feel restricted, chances are you start your energy on what you can’t have. If you have ever been on a diet, you know that donuts taunt you, and everything sounds better than the salad in front of you. Many people spend their no-spend challenge creating lists of everything they want to buy when the challenge is over. What is the point if you are on an overly restrictive grocery budget this month, only to blow your average budget next month? If you deplete your stockpile this month only to feel uneasy and anxiously restock (regardless of prices) next month, you’re doing more harm to your budget and mindset than any no-spend challenge can help.

No-spend challenges have very limited uses in a budget. They should be seen as habit breakers/makers vs. savings strategies because unless you improve a habit on the other side of the challenge, you probably create worse habits in the long run on top of the stress a no-spend challenge inherently has. 

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Are there any no-spend challenges that helped you, or are you leaving them behind? What are your favorite budgeting tricks?

Habitual Heart is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Here is a list of common grocery items that fit just right into the gallon, quart, and ½ pint Habitual Heart Mylar bags:

Gallon

• 5 Lb bag of Flour
• 5 Lb bag of Sugar
• 5 Lb bag of Rice
• 3-4 packs of Spaghetti/Pasta
• 42 oz can of Oatmeal (rolled oats)

Quart

• 1 Lb (16oz) bag of Beans
• 1 Lb (16oz) bag of Rice
• 16 oz bag of small shaped pasta
• 24 oz of Grits (Polenta)
• Baking mixes (ex. cake or brownies)
• 1 lb box of Baking Soda
• 2 8 oz cans of Baking Powder

½ Pint

• Spice Jar
• Seasoning Pack
• Packs of Candy (ex. M&Ms, Skittles)
• Single packs of instant oatmeal (great for go bags)
• Pudding or Jello mixes

These are just some of the easy-fit items. The variety of sizes is meant to give you control over packaging for your intended use case and allow you to decide how you’re going to fill 100 bags.

According to eatwheat.org, the average American eats 130lb of wheat flour products yearly. With the gallon size alone, you can store over 150 lbs of flour for your household. Whether you are prepping for three weeks, six months, or a year, start with one Mylar Bag Kit and aim to build your stockpile with extras added to your weekly grocery trips. If you are aiming for a year worth of food for your family, you will want to store about one kit per person in addition to your canned and frozen food items. And always remember only to store what you buy. The goal is to eat this food, emergency or not, and keep cycling your stockpile.

Let me know if you have found any other “perfect fits” in the comments below, or tag me on Instagram @habitual.heart

Clothing Irons

Clothing irons are the most common heat-sealing option for mylar bags, as they are readily available in homes and are easy to use. To heat-seal with a clothing iron, heat the iron to 400°F (205°C) or find the cotton or linen setting, place two pieces of mylar together or your closed bag, and press the iron on top. Make sure to apply pressure as you move the iron to create an airtight seal. It is important that the bag can lie flat and you are not creating wrinkles as you seal. Use the zipper on Habitual Heart mylar bags to ensure you can lie the bag down without the contents spilling out. Also, please ensure the steam function is not in use.

Impulse Sealers

Impulse sealers are high-heat electric tools designed specifically for heat-sealing mylar bags. They provide a heat level of up to 420°F (215°C), which is more intense than clothing irons, and provide an efficient seal. To heat-seal with an impulse sealer, place two pieces of mylar together and press down the handle to heat-seal the bag shut.

Hair Straighteners/Irons

Hair straighteners or irons are an alternative heat-sealing tool for mylar bags. To heat-seal with a hair iron, heat the iron to a setting as close to 420°F (215°C) and then press down on the bag while running the iron over the seal area. Again, apply pressure as you move the iron along for a secure heat seal. Some like to tap the iron as they move along larger bags. I like this method because not only is it convenient, it is the only method that allows you to seal a bag while it is standing up. With this method, finding a hair straightener with plates that make full contact with each other is very important.

Each heat-sealing method has pros and cons, so it is important to research and determine which heat-sealing tool will work best for your project. With the right tools and technique, heat-sealing mylar bags can be quick and easy.

Following these heat-sealing instructions guarantees a secure heat seal on every mylar bag you use. With the right tools and technique, heat-sealing mylar bags can be a breeze!

Habitual Heart participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

What Are Mylar Bags? 

Mylar bags are made from polyester film, usually with a layer of aluminum foil sandwiched in between. They are often used for packaging consumer goods like dried foods and snacks because they protect the product from moisture, oxygen, light, UV radiation, and even pests. This makes them particularly well-suited for long-term storage and shelf life. 

Are Mylar Bags Toxic? 

The short answer is no. Mylar bags are non-toxic and BPA-free, which means they won’t leach harmful chemicals into your food when stored at room temperature or below. Additionally, the FDA has approved them as safe for use with food products.  Many people use them as an alternative to plastic containers because they are better for the environment than traditional plastic packaging materials like sandwich bags or “Tupperware” and the like. Mylar also offers additional food protection as it is impermeable to oxygen and moisture, keeping food fresh longer than other packaging materials. As with all products, Mylar must be used as intended to maintain these qualities.

How Can I Use Them For Food Storage? 

Mylar bags can be used in a variety of ways when it comes to food storage. They can be used for long-term storage of foods like grains, seeds, nuts, dried fruits, spices, etc., which need extra protection from the elements to stay fresh longer. Additionally, the airtight seal helps maintain the quality of the stored food by preventing contamination and spoilage due to mold or bacteria growth over time. They can also be used for short-term storage with a ziplock seal for easy access compared to creating a heat seal. Whatever your needs may be, Mylar bags are a great choice for food storage! 

In Conclusion

Mylar bags are a great choice for short-term and long-term food storage needs because they offer superior protection against environmental contaminants while being completely non-toxic and BPA-free. Whether you’re looking to store your pantry staples in bulk or protect perishable items from spoiling quickly during transport or storage—Mylar bags provide an effective solution that will help keep your food fresher longer while keeping your family safe!

Make a Plan

Don’t just head over to Costco and throw the largest items you can find into your cart! You have to have a plan. A plan will ensure you get the best deal, not blowing your budget, and save you from throwing away hundreds of dollars worth of expired items.

Budget

Plan to put aside a portion of your grocery and household goods budget monthly. For our family, this is about 20-25%. You won’t need to shop in bulk every month, but you also don’t want shopping in bulk to be an added expense when it should be helping to lower your overall expenses. Pick up a budget template today and see where all your money goes.

Stick to the budget. You don’t need to buy every bulk item all at once. As you run out of goods, prioritize them on your bulk shopping budget. Spread your expenses out to fit your budget and also help ensure you don’t have all your goods set to expire at the same time.

Don’t buy too much

Just because they sell it in bulk doesn’t mean you should buy it in bulk. There are three common sulk shopping traps.

1. Fresh Food
   1. No matter how good the price, it is going to be rare that you have the storage method, space, or appetite to really capitalize on the savings of fresh produce or meat. Read on for tips to make that assessment for yourself.
2. Food You Don’t Eat or Don’t Eat Enough Of
   1. You probably don’t need five dozen eggs for your family of three or the 50lb bag of peanuts when you have an allergy. Again, a good deal is not a good deal for all.
3. Overestimating how much you need.
   1. We do not waste food here at Habitual Heart. Not only would you be wasting food and the cost associated if you overbuy, but you’re also letting that food take up valuable real estate in your pantry and mind. Don’t underestimate that cost. If a deal is too good, but the quantity is too much, reach out to a friend or family member to see if they will split the haul.

Know how to store your bulk buys

Two keys to being able to buy in bulk are knowing how to store items properly as well as having the space to store them correctly.

Let’s take meat, for example. Meat is highly perishable and is primarily stored in limited quantities because of limited cold storage. In the refrigerator, you are looking at a week, and the deep freezer will get you 4-12 months. Also, keep in mind that this storage is not free. There is a real cost to running large appliances like these. There are options to can, dehydrate, or freeze-dry certain meats, but this requires skills, time, and equipment. Keep this in mind as you make your purchases, and do not buy what you do not have the space or skills to store.

Taking the extra steps to ensure proper storage means less food loss or waste. A good example here is flour. My family of three uses about five pounds of flour a month, but I bulk buy it in two 10-pound bags. If I were to leave it in the original packaging, I’m risking pest infestation and exposure to air and moisture(=spoilage). Within a few days of purchase, I refill the airtight container in my pantry and divide the rest into Mylar bags. Both my pantry container and the Mylar bags perfectly fit five pounds so working my way through the flour without running a high risk of food loss is easy.

Storing dry goods in Mylar also extends the shelf life. Flour can last 10-15 years, well past the best-by dates on original packaging (Who decided that a paper bag was good enough for storing flour?…sus if you ask me). This extra step reduces the risk of food waste and loss but also sets our home up for emergency preparedness in that we have extra, shelf-stable food on hand in sufficient quantities for something unexpected. 

There are tons of products out there that help store food for longer, from simple methods like airtight containers and Mylar bags to canning, dehydrating, freezing, and freeze-drying. Each takes its own mastery and cost investment. I will go into this further in another article but just know these products and skills can significantly increase the shelf life of most foods and therefore make bulk purchases even more cost-effective. 

How to get a good deal

Now that you have navigated the pitfalls of buying in bulk let’s make sure you get a good deal. If you learn nothing else from this article, please learn how to compare costs properly. Sticker price alone is not the way to go. You need to be looking at COST PER UNIT.

You probably already do this in reverse when you shop for meat. You take a look at two packages of chicken breast, and you see that one is $7.43 and one is $6.89. If you compare by price, you might think that the less expensive one is the better deal when, in fact, they are priced at $3.99 per pound and the exact same deal.

Most stores make this easy if you take the time to look at the price tag on the shelf. Get in close and look at the unit cost and compare. Also, ensure the units are the same, ounces to ounces, pounds to pounds, packages to packages, etc. If the cost per unit is not displayed, whip out your calculator and divide the price of the item by the units measured, which should be on the front packaging or on the nutritional label. The more you practice price comparison, the quicker you will be able to find good deals. I personally don’t buy canned tomatoes unless it is better than $.68 a can in my area.

Here is a quick list of categories where you can usually find the best bulk shopping deals.

Grocery

• Cereal
• Oatmeal
• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Soup
• Rice, grains, and pasta
• Beans (canned and dried)
• Frozen food (veggies, fruit, meat, prepared foods) *limited by storage space
• Crackers, cookies, chips
• Nuts
• Sweeteners (Sugar, Honey, Maple)
• Flours
• Spices and extracts
• Coffee & Tea

Household Consumables

• Toilet paper (not shown to have significant savings)
• Paper goods (Paper towels, napkins, paper plates, and bowls)
• Coffee filters
• Laundry or dish detergent
• Cleaning supplies
• Sponges
• Trash bags
• Foil, plastic wrap, parchment paper, plastic storage bags
• Lightbulbs
• Batteries
• Tape

Beauty and Self-Care Products

• Soap
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Lotion
• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss
• Cotton balls, rounds, or swabs
• Contraception (check expiration dates)
• Feminine hygiene Items
• Pain medicine
• Vitamins (check shelf life)
• Over-the-counter allergy medicine
• Bandaids and wound care
• Hand sanitizer or Rubbing alcohol
• Antibacterial wipes

Baby Goods

• Baby food and snacks
• Baby formula (dry is best)
• Powdered Milk
• Baby wipes
• Diapers

Pet Products

• Pet food
• Dog waste bags
• Cat litter

Instructions from the Kit

Instructions: 

1. Fill bags, leaving 1 inch of space before the zipper.
2. Place 1 oxygen absorber in the bag. 
3. Manually remove as much air as possible while sealing the zipper.
4. If heat sealing, seal above the tear notch using a hair straightener or clothing iron.

Other Tips:

1. The iron temperature should be set between 300 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. If you do not use all of the oxygen absorbers after opening, place the remaining in the smallest mylar bag and zip them for later use.
3. For continuous use, only use the zipper closure. To reuse a bag for long-term storage, cut below the zipper and heat seal again.
4. One 300cc oxygen absorber is required per gallon. If there is a lot of air space between items in a 1-gallon bag, use two oxygen absorbers. 
5. Use a funnel to fill bags to avoid getting any item in the path of the zipper seal.

Based on what you are storing, you will find what works for you. The greatest variation in use is how you choose to seal the bags. I use only the zipper for items I access a lot or plan to use soon, and also if I know the product is being stored somewhere pest free. If the item won’t be touched for over a year or I’m storing it outside, I get out my hair straightener to heat seal it.

I also will reuse my bags in certain cases. A good example is seed saving. If the bags are clean enough I will use them season after season. If I already used the heat seal, but want to do it again. I would cut below the zipper and seal with heat. Since there is no easy-tear notch, I would use scissors to open.

Remember! Create more, spend less, and waste nothing.

We bought a home in 2021 and are finally able to have the garden we have always wanted, and we are growing more food than we ever thought possible. We’ve got canning and dehydrating down, but getting through what we were able to store within their shelf life is sometimes difficult. So I began researching alternative methods for long-term food storage, and I fell deep down the rabbit hole… so deep I ended up in deep space or maybe the deep woods and stumbled upon the Mylar bags. Remember astronaut ice cream and beef stew in a bag? That stuff.

Along with Mylar bags, you will discover the freeze dryer. Unfortunately, a freeze dryer can run up into the multiple thousands and is not quite in the budget just yet, BUT that didn’t stop me. What I noticed after the sticker shock of a freeze dryer was the packaging (Mylar), and I’m surprised I never noticed it before. Our food and other common household items are packaged in Mylar bags.

What is Mylar?

Hang with me while we get technical for a second. Mylar is Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate which is a polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate. It is strong, stable, clear, and acts as a gas and odor barrier, all of which have made it a favorite of the food industry. Typically Mylar is coated over other strong or attractive materials like aluminum or craft paper to add strength or style, but the main reason the food industry loves it is that it acts as a barrier. Oxygen and moisture are the enemies of food, and Mylar keeps both out. Most foods are not the ideal candidates for long-term storage because of oil or moisture, but Mylar can help get that expiration date to a year. So why aren’t most foods packaged in Mylar? Unless you are shopping at an emergency preparedness shop (do those exist? probably) or your local outdoor and recreation store, you will not see much packaged for long-term intent. Why? Cause money. Mylar is a more expensive packaging, and companies want you to go through their items (or let them expire) and come back and buy more.

Which foods can be stored long-term?

A lot of items’ shelf-life can be extended in a Mylar bag (with an oxygen absorber), but the general rule of thumb is that the more moisture or oil a food contains, the worse candidate it is for long-term food storage. I’m going to skip the less-than-a-year items and get to the (incomplete) list of cool stuff.

3 – 5 years:

5 – 10 years:

• Alfalfa
• Granolas (without fruit or added oils)
• Herbs (whole)
• Millet
• Most Beans (some longer – see below)
• Quinoa
• Peppercorns (whole)
• Peanut butter powder
• Powdered milk (semi-skimmed)
• Powdered egg (freeze-dried)
• Rye
• Unbleached flour
• Wheat flakes

20 – 30 years

• Coffee (instant)
• Freeze-dried fruit and vegetables
• Hulled oats
• Kidney beans
• Lentils
• Lima beans
• Noodles
• Pasta
• Pink beans
• Powdered milk (skimmed)
• Rolled oats
• Tea (bags or loose)
• White rice

Indefinitely:

So now what?

Exciting stuff, right? Now to take action. We’re not afraid of buying those 10lb bags of flour anymore, and I’m way more prepared and excited to dehydrate items from our garden this year. I’m also trying my hand at seed saving this season, and I will pack them in Mylar for next spring. 

Have you tried Mylar bags before? Let me know more about your experience and how you use them in your household in the comments.