How to Store Food in Mylar Bags

Storing food in Mylar bags is an effective method for long-term preservation. Mylar bags are made from a durable, flexible material that provides excellent protection against light, moisture, and oxygen, making them ideal for maintaining the quality and longevity of dry foods. By using proper techniques and combining them with oxygen absorbers, you can significantly extend the shelf life of items such as grains, beans, and dried fruits, ensuring a reliable food supply for emergencies or future use. This guide will walk you through how to store food in mylar bags, providing tips and techniques to help simplify the task.

What are Mylar Bags?

Mylar bags are storage containers made from a polyester film called BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate). This material is highly durable, flexible, and resistant to light, moisture, and air, making it an ideal choice for preserving food and other items. Mylar bags are designed to create a barrier that protects their contents from environmental factors that could cause spoilage or degradation. They come in various sizes and thicknesses, allowing for versatile storage options, whether you’re sealing small portions or bulk quantities. Commonly used with oxygen absorbers, Mylar bags are one of the most popular solutions for long-term food storage due to their reliability and effectiveness.

Importance of Long-Term Food Storage

Long-term food storage plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and preparedness, especially during emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. By preserving food for extended periods, you can reduce dependency on regular grocery trips and safeguard against potential supply chain disruptions. It also provides peace of mind in the face of natural disasters, economic instability, or other crises, ensuring you have access to essential nutrients when resources may be scarce.

Additionally, long-term food storage supports sustainability by minimizing food waste, as properly stored items remain edible and safe for years. Whether preparing for personal needs or larger family requirements, building a long-term food storage system is a smart, proactive measure that helps cultivate resilience and self-reliance.

Choosing the Right Mylar Bags for Food Storage

Selecting the right Mylar bags is an essential step in ensuring effective long-term food storage. The quality, thickness, and size of the bags can greatly impact their ability to preserve food over time. Thicker Mylar bags, typically 5 mil or more, provide better protection against light, oxygen, and moisture, making them ideal for extended storage periods.

For smaller portions, such as dried herbs or spices, smaller bags are convenient and reduce the risk of waste, while larger bags are better suited for bulk items like grains or beans. Additionally, it’s important to choose food-grade Mylar bags that are safe for direct food contact. Pairing the correct Mylar bag with oxygen absorbers and proper sealing techniques will help ensure your food stays fresh, safe, and ready for use when needed.

10 Methods How to Store Food in Mylar Bags

1. Choose the Right Thickness of Mylar Bags

When storing food in Mylar bags, selecting the correct thickness is crucial. Mylar bags come in different thicknesses, usually measured in mils (one mil = one-thousandth of an inch). For long-term food storage, opt for 5-mil or thicker bags, as they provide better protection against light, oxygen, and punctures. Thinner bags, such as 3-mil, may be sufficient for short-term storage but are more prone to damage. A thicker Mylar bag ensures better durability, especially when storing food items with sharp edges, such as pasta or grains.

2. Use Oxygen Absorbers for Long-Term Storage

Oxygen is the enemy of long-term food storage because it promotes spoilage, mold growth, and insect infestation. To prevent this, always include oxygen absorbers inside your Mylar bags. The size of the oxygen absorber needed depends on the size of the bag and the type of food being stored. For example:

100cc to 300cc absorbers for quart-sized bags

500cc to 1000cc absorbers for gallon-sized bags

2000cc+ for larger 5-gallon bags

These absorbers remove oxygen from the sealed bag, creating an environment where bacteria, mold, and pests cannot thrive. Make sure to seal the bag quickly after adding oxygen absorbers to ensure effectiveness.

3. Store Only Dry Foods to Prevent Spoilage

Mylar bags are ideal for storing dry, low-moisture foods, as moisture can lead to bacterial and mold growth. Some of the best foods to store in Mylar bags include:

Rice (white rice lasts longer than brown rice)

Beans and lentils

Oats and grains

Powdered milk

Pasta

Dehydrated fruits and vegetables

Dried spices and herbs

Avoid storing fresh, wet, or high-moisture foods unless they have been properly dehydrated. If moisture levels exceed 10%, the food may spoil even when stored in an airtight Mylar bag.

4. Label and Date Your Mylar Bags

Proper labeling helps with food rotation and prevents confusion. Once your Mylar bags are filled and sealed, use a permanent marker to write down the following information:

The name of the food inside

The date it was packed

The expected expiration date (based on the food type)

Any special notes (e.g., “requires rehydration” for dehydrated foods)

This simple step ensures that you use older food first and keep track of shelf life, preventing waste.

5. Seal Mylar Bags with a Heat Sealer or Iron

To effectively store food in Mylar bags, you must create a strong airtight seal. There are several sealing options:

Impulse Sealer: A heat sealer designed specifically for Mylar bags is the best option.

Flat Iron or Hair Straightener: If you don’t have a dedicated heat sealer, a regular flat iron or hair straightener can do the job.

Clothes Iron: A standard household iron, set to a high setting, can also be used.

To seal the bag, leave about 2 inches of space at the top, place the iron or heat sealer over the edge, and press firmly for a few seconds until the bag is sealed. Ensure there are no gaps in the seal to prevent air from entering.

6. Store Mylar Bags in Food-Grade Buckets for Extra Protection

For added protection, especially for long-term storage, place your sealed Mylar bags inside food-grade plastic buckets. This provides an extra layer of security against:

Rodents and pests that can chew through Mylar

Physical damage, such as punctures or crushing

Light exposure, which can degrade food quality over time

Using 5-gallon buckets with airtight lids is especially useful when storing large quantities of staples like rice, wheat, or beans.

7. Keep Mylar Bags in a Cool, Dark, and Dry Environment

Temperature, light, and humidity are the main factors that affect food shelf life. To maximize storage time:

Keep Mylar bags in a cool location (ideally between 50°F and 70°F)

Avoid direct sunlight, as Mylar does not block 100% of light

Store bags away from humidity, as moisture can damage food and compromise seals

A basement, pantry, or climate-controlled storage room is an excellent choice for long-term Mylar storage.

8. Use Desiccant Packs for Moisture-Sensitive Foods

While oxygen absorbers remove oxygen, they do not remove moisture. Some foods, such as powdered milk, flour, or dehydrated vegetables, benefit from desiccant packs (silica gel packets) that absorb any remaining moisture inside the bag. These help prevent clumping and spoilage in foods that are sensitive to humidity. However, never use desiccants and oxygen absorbers together, as they serve different purposes.

9. Double Seal for Extra Security

To ensure long-term food preservation, consider double sealing your Mylar bags. This means sealing the bag twice—once near the top and again just below the first seal. If the first seal fails or becomes compromised over time, the second seal acts as a backup. Double sealing is particularly useful for large bags storing bulk grains, beans, or powdered foods.

10. Regularly Inspect Stored Mylar Bags

Even after properly sealing and storing Mylar bags, it’s essential to check them periodically for any signs of damage, air leaks, or spoilage. Look for:

Puffed-up bags: This indicates that oxygen absorbers failed, or food is producing gas due to spoilage.

Punctures or tears: Any holes or damage allow air, moisture, and pests to enter.

Changes in smell or color: If the food inside smells off or looks discolored, it may have been exposed to moisture or air.

By routinely inspecting your stored food, you can catch issues early and prevent waste.

Conclusion

Proper food storage using Mylar bags is a practical and effective way to ensure long-term food preservation. By following essential steps such as utilizing oxygen absorbers, sealing bags with reliable methods, and storing them in optimal conditions, you can significantly extend the shelf life of your food supplies. Additionally, labeling and routine inspections help maintain organization and prevent spoilage or waste. Thanks for reading, and we hope this has given you some inspiration on how to store food in mylar bags!