Bucket Storage Questions
 

We have 6 buckets and gamma lids ready to go. We have a bunch of dehydrated veggies that we plan to store. My buddy was getting ready to load the buckets and seal them, and I told him we need absorbers and mylar bags.

He asked me if we should empty things out of the temp storage bags, or if it would be safe to keep things inside the zip locks, and then put them in the mylar with absorbers.

Any input would be great. We have asparagus, carrots, celery, apples, squash and a few other random items.

Thanks!

-s

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

having the items sealed in a smaller bag could defeat the oxygen absorbers IMO.

be really careful as to the moisture content of those veggies. If they have just been sitting around in non-mylar bags, my guess is that the moisture content may already be too high for long term storage.

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

I would empty the ziplocks myself.

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

Why is that?

Why would they work in a 5 gallon mylar bag, but not in a 1 gallon mylar bag?

Use more packets in a 5 gallon, less in a 1 gallon.
What is it I am missing?

I have a 50 lb bag of rice I will distribute into 1 gallon mylars, sealed with absorbers.
I can take smaller portions and expose only the rice I need as needed. Why later open a bucket and expose 25 lbs. of rice, just cause I need to get to some rice for a few meals? Doesn't make sense to expose all your rice when you need to dip into your resources.

Small bags/absorbers issue...new one on me.

Oxygen is oxygen. Just make sure you don't use too little or too many absorber packets...

other than that....??

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

He was talking about ziplocks, not mylar. BIG difference.

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

It depends on how big the zip locks are. If they're large enough to warrant their own oxygen absorbers, then keeping them might be reasonable. You don't want to trap a bunch of oxygen in the zip locks that would then have to be absorbed from an absorber in the mylar bag.

Another issue is that grocery store style zip lock bags off-gas over time. They're fine in a chilled environment for a short time, but over the long term, in a warmer environment, sealed under low pressure (either vacuum or even just from an O2 absorber), the off-gassing will increase, which can impact both the taste and the healthfulness of the foods. Mylar doesn't have that problem, though -- so overall, I'd be inclined to take things out of the zip locks.

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

Thanks for the info...Was wondering if oxygen absorbers work on mason jars for dried vegies? What is the best way to store smaller amounts of dried vegies?

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

We have stored our home dehydrated vegetables & fruit in plastic food bags
and kept the bags in plastic buckets without ever using oxygen absorbers.
Never had any problems...some have been stored that way for years.

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

Absorbers in jars would be fine,as would a vacuum sealer like tilia or pumpNseal,or even just a jar with a lid but would have some oxidation.I have some in ziplocks inside buckets,I dont think its the best solution at all.I really wouldnt do it again,oxidation is noticeable and I feel greatly reduces storage time.Ziplocks really breathe.

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

The key here is simply getting as much oxygen out as you can. The ziplocks are fine. But I would pack each bag with an oxygen absorber AND suck out as much air as possible before sealing. Then I would put O2 absorbers into the bucket also. It will help if the bucket is completely full of the small plastic bags as this will reduce the amount of oxygen in the bucket.

To do it properly for "long term" storage, you really should put all the ziplocks(with absorbers in them) into a mylar bag with the O2 absorbers, remove as much air as possible and seal. Then put it into the bucket and put a couple O2 absorbers in to bucket too. Thats a lot of absorbers in my opinion and not real cost effective.

Mason jars might be easier for this application. Read Techguys Sticky. It's real good. All of my storage in buckets is bulk grains beans and rice, which is done in bulk and much, much easier.

s

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

Dont put ziplocks in pickle buckets unless you like your food tasting like pickles.I have a LOT of pickled dehyrated apples.To give you an idea how much ziplocks breathe.
They are worthless as an oxygen sealer.

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

Thanks for all your help. We've decided to go with the quart sized jars, similar to tech's sticky, for all of our fruits and veggies. We plan to get rice, beans, grains etc... and we'll use our buckets for these items.

If anyone has a link for small oxygen absorbers to put in the jars... that would be a big help.

Do we really need to heat new jar lids to make sure they seal? IF we just check the softness of the seal by hand and it seems good... no reason to boil or heat them.. right?


Thanks again!

sewneo:wink:

Re: Bucket Storage Questions
 

you can get them oxy absorbers from:

http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/ind...ROD&ProdID=309

or

www.mredepot.com

Dont worry about a smaller size. For 9 bucks per 100, just use the more versatile 500cc size. The 500cc size are good for any size up to #10 can. You only need a few for a 5 gal bucket.

These are really not that big in physical size.

As far as heating the lids? If you are not pulling a huge vacuum using a foodsaver, then yes I would heat the lids. For very short term use, you could probably skip the step.