Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers: Long-Term Storage for Dry Foods
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How it works
“Mylar” is a trade name, now used generically, for foil-laminate pouches. Utah State Extension says the foil layer dramatically reduces how much oxygen and moisture get through. An oxygen absorber is a packet that pulls the oxygen out of the sealed bag. Air is about 21 percent oxygen; once that's absorbed, what's left is mostly nitrogen in a partial vacuum, per the same Extension newsletter. Low oxygen helps control insects already in the food and preserve quality and taste, per Utah State.
NCHFP points the same direction: for thoroughly dried foods, it recommends oxygen absorbers (or a vacuum sealer with jar adapters) instead of oven “dry canning,” and notes absorbers help preserve quality and aid insect control.
How long does it last?
- White rice: up to 10 years at a constant 70°F with oxygen absorbers, per Utah State Extension. It's been known to last longer in cooler storage (up to 30 years, per Utah State).
- Dried beans and dried milk: Utah State recommends oxygen absorbers to extend shelf life and minimize off-flavors.
- Cool storage matters: BYU's food storage guidance says foods stored hot (attics, garages) have a much shorter shelf life.
One more note from Utah State: rodents can easily chew into foil pouches; an outer bucket or bin is one way to protect them.
Wallaby 1-gallon kit
Thirty heat-sealable 1-gallon bags (7.5 mil), 30 oxygen absorbers rated 400cc, and labels, per the listing. It has a resealable zipper; for long-term storage, the listing says to heat-seal above it. The listing also gives a useful heads-up: absorbers only remove oxygen, about a fifth of the air, so bags won't shrink down like a vacuum bag.
Wallaby 1-Gallon Mylar Bags with Oxygen Absorbers (30)
- 30 heat-sealable 1-gallon bags (7.5 mil), 30 oxygen absorbers (400cc) and labels, per the listing
- Resealable zipper; heat-seal above it for long-term storage
- Listing notes absorbers remove oxygen (about 1/5 of air), so bags won't shrink like vacuum bags
1-quart bag kit
Smaller portions: 60 zipper, heat-sealable 7 x 10-inch bags with 60 oxygen absorbers (400cc) and labels, per the listing. Bags are PET, aluminum foil and PET layers.
1-Quart Mylar Bags with Oxygen Absorbers (60)
- 60 zipper, heat-sealable 7 x 10 in. bags with 60 oxygen absorbers (400cc) and labels, per the listing
- PET/aluminum foil/PET layers
Absorbers on their own
If you already have bags or buckets, buy absorbers separately and match the size to your container. All three of these come in factory vacuum-sealed packs, per their listings.
Oxygen Absorbers, 300cc (120)
- 120 food-grade 300cc absorbers packed 10 per vacuum bag, per the listing
O2frepak Oxygen Absorbers, 300cc (30)
- 30 absorbers, 300cc capacity each, per the listing
- Factory vacuum-sealed pack
SurpOxyLoc Oxygen Absorbers, 3000cc (30)
- 30 large 3000cc absorbers, per the listing
- Factory vacuum-sealed; anti-oil design
Compared
| Product | What's included (per listing) |
|---|---|
| Wallaby 1-gallon kit | 30 bags (7.5 mil), 30 x 400cc absorbers, labels |
| 1-quart kit | 60 bags (7 x 10 in.), 60 x 400cc absorbers, labels |
| 300cc absorbers | 120 absorbers, packed 10 per bag |
| O2frepak 300cc | 30 absorbers |
| SurpOxyLoc 3000cc | 30 large absorbers |
We couldn't find an Extension or USDA guide to sizing absorbers in cc for each bag size, so follow the absorber maker's chart.
Sources
- NCHFP: 'Dry canning' isn't canning
- Utah State Extension: Food storage newsletter (oxygen absorbers, moisture warning)
- Utah State Extension: Packaging methods
- Utah State Extension: Food storage packaging
- Utah State Extension: Storing white rice
- NCHFP: Packaging and storing dried foods
- BYU: An approach to longer-term food storage