Oxygen absorber question
 

okay so I bought a package of 200. They all came in 1 vacuum sealed package.

So, if I were to open this package just to use a few of them, do I need to re-vacuum the package (I don't have a vacuum sealer yet) or what?

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

nvm, google found my answer on an ebay auction...

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

I would suggest you take them out now and immediately put them in a quart mason jar with a good lid. That way you know they are sealed and you can get some out when you need them.

s

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

The fewer times they are exposed to air the better. It might not be possible to prepare 200 jars at one time, but I wouldn't open the pack until you had a few ten's at least.
Then like Squirrel Bait suggested store the remainder in a glass jar with a tight lid.

I've been vacuum sealing jars without 02 sorbers and when I get close to 100 I'll buy some more, open the jars, then re-vacuum seal them with one inside.

Just used a $50 Wal-Mart card to buy 10 bags of coffee tonight, I'll seal this up tomorrow :)

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

I definitely agree with Bill that the fewer times they are exposed to the air the better. What I was trying to say is that the vacuum sealed plastic they come in can get a hole in it an spoil your absorbers. This happened to me, so now as soon as I get them I put them into quart jars. If the lid is popped down it know for sure it is sealed. Technique only.

s

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

When we open a bag, we count out how many we need for that batch, I put the rest of them jars, like 20 in one jar, 30 in another jar. Then I write how many are in that jar. Next time I use them, I can use the appropriate jar with the 02 sorbers with out wasting any more than necessary! Usually we use the can sealer and do 100 #10 cans at a time. We are getting that down to a 2 hour project.!
:banana:

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

Oxy absorbers are cheap enough not to worry too much about them IMHO.

I usually do about 50 to 100 jars at a time. So I just double up on the oxy absorbers until I run out.

I just don't trust storing them, and to me it is not worth the 4 bucks or so saved to bother with it. Of course I always overkill the situation....

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

They don't need to be vacuum sealed, just remove the oxygen. One way to do that is to use a chunk of dry ice in a jar with the lid on but not tight. When the dry ice has disappeared, tighten the lid. Another way is to put as many as possible into the smallest container you can get, such as a 35 mm film can or small pill bottle and close it. They will absorb the oxygen but there isn't much to absorb.

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

I don't know about a pill bottle, but film cans (the plastic ones) are made of low density or high density polyethylene (probably LDPE). This is the same stuff that plastic sandwich bags are made from, and is pretty lousy as an oxygen barrier.

I use mason jars for mine. If I've got a "spare" package of 100 packs (that I don't plan to use for a couple months or so), I'll seal that inside a 7 mil mylar pouch as added insurance against damage.

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

Sorbent Systems has a couple of items that make dealing with absorbers a little easier:

Oxygen indicators -- keep a few in with your absorbers to make sure they're still good.
http://www.sorbentsystems.com/tell-tab.html

Specialty bag clip to re-seal the oxy absorber bags (squeeze the air out first)
http://sorbentsystems.com/bagclips.html

I prefer storing mine in low-oxygen-permeability mylar rather than glass. With mylar, I can get most of the oxygen out pretty easily, first just by squeezing the bag, and then with a vacuum sealer when the session is over. With a slightly oversized bag, you can just trim off a little every time you open it. Glass bottles require the use of some type of dense-pack filler material, which is a much bigger hassle.

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

WHY AREN'T THOSE SMALL OXYGEN ABSORBENT USING DEHYDRATED PACKAGES USED TO GET FOODS RID OF THE OXYGEN IN THE CAN?

We don't think they work as well as the time- tested method of drawing a vacuum, then flushing the can with nitrogen. We've used this method for the past 25 years. Those oxygen absorbers, which are really iron dioxide crystals imported from Japan, were only introduced in this country a few years ago. They were used to try to keep the weevils from germinating in those 5 gallon buckets of wheat. Some companies then began using them as a cheap method to try to extend the shelf life in cans of dehydrated foods. We question the practice for several reasons: (1) No track record; (2) The oxygen combines with the iron dioxide to produce other compounds and by-products (hydrocarbons) which react with the food and can; (3) the shelf-life of the food using this method is questionable at best, maybe 1-2 years. Bottom line � we wouldn't chance our food reserves to such a questionable, unproven procedure.



http://www.foodreserves.com/



I think I'll just pack mine in dry nitrogen AFTER I kill the weevils ...

Re: Oxygen absorber question
 

Buy them in packs of 20.