Nervous About Long Term Food Storage - Better to Buy or do Myself?
Posted by Agora5465@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 34 comments
Hi! New pepper here. I have unofficially maintained a deep pantry for years and would like to start to build out my long term stockpile. I have been reading and researching about foods that can be stored in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, but am stressed about the less than 10% moisture thing.
How do I know if the rice is dry enough for example. Everything I read says white rice can be stored this way, but then I google average moisture content of white rice is around 12%. Do you have to do something to dry the rice more? Is the 12% wrong? Am I overthinking this?
Should I just stop stressing about this and buy from a company that has prepackaged products? And if so, what are reliable sources?
TLDR: I don’t want to accidentally kill myself with botulism and am not sure how to proceed with long term food storage.
smsff2@reddit
Botulism is not a concern with rice.
Present_Figure_4786@reddit
All cooked food should be refrigerated immediately, especially cooked rice and potatoes, in shallow small containers, uncovered till 40 degrees. Dry , sealed rice cannot support life .
fedfuzz1970@reddit
All prepared rice should be eaten. If leftover rice can't be immediately refrigerated it should be discarded. It is very dangerous to eat leftover rice that hasn't been refrigerated, it is a breeding ground for pathogens.
ApprehensiveStand456@reddit
Just started getting into dehydrating foods. Started off with things like extra veg that was going to go bad soon. Also buying a few extra bags of frozen veg. We do a lot of camping, so I'm making pre-made dehydrated recipes. I will make a few for camping and a few extra for storage. I'm using homemade backpacking recipes. I'm trying to go beyond just beans and rice to mix it up a bit. I am not trying to dehydrate and meats for long term storage. I'm not up to that level yet. I'm using mylar bags and oxygen absorbers from Wallaby
SufficientCow4@reddit
I have a mix of stuff. Augason Farms is a great, budget friendly, way to do long term storage. I have found their sales to be cheaper than other companies and I have never been disappointed with their products that I have opened and used.
Idk if it’s the right way to do it or not but I have had a 5gl food safe bucket with a gamma lid for rice storage for years. When it gets low, I dump the leftovers into a bowl, fill the bucket back up with fresh, and pour the oldest stuff back in on top. We eat rice frequently in my house and in the past 6yrs of using the same bucket/method nobody has ever gotten sick. I make sure that no extra moisture gets in the bucket when taking stuff out of it.
Pinkcoconuts1843@reddit
The problem with the storage food companies is that…
Haha, never mind, kinda tired of being nice about these people. I have bought a lot of this crap. The claim of 25 years isn’t even close. I just threw away swollen tomato powder cans. Forums have lurkers from these companies and people who have wasted thousands that downvote complaints. After 5 years, the food is dead, and so is the warranty.
I store in mylar gallons with O2, in actual Rubbermaid 18 gallon totes. For some reason, rodents can’t get their little exacto-knife teeth in those things.
The grocery store is a 100% better deal.
SufficientCow4@reddit
Interesting. I have some stuff that is older than 5yrs and the cans are still fine. All the stuff we have opened and used has been in the pantry for 3-4yrs and the taste is fine. I may have just gotten lucky though. My long term stuff is rotated out and used eventually. I don’t plan on it ever being in there for 25yrs. It’s just an extra layer of protection in my emergency planning.
No-Experience-8625@reddit
If you try the DYI route, makes sure you open some of those foods after a year or so to make sure you got it right. I did rice in Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers following the guidance carefully. I opened up a bag after a few years and it was all bad. Not sure what I did wrong but it certainly was not suitable for eating. It scared me enough to where I largely go with number 10 cans now, as well as simply keeping a well stocked room and rotate through.
JRHLowdown3@reddit
Your overthinking it - as most "preppers" do.
Read this article, it will have all the answers for you from someone with almost 40 years experience
https://survivalandpreparednessforum.net/forum/the-basics/1154-diy-food-storage-basics-ask-questions-get-answers-etc
MerelyMortalModeling@reddit
Check out the morman church, they sell canned long term storage items like rice flour and beans.
Honestly it's cheaper for me to buy their 30 year cans then it is for me to do it myself.
For rice I think the issue with rice is the germ going rancid which leads to bacillus cereus growth. Bacillus cereus spores are on everything but in small enough amounts it generally doesn't matter.
CatsAreMajorAssholes@reddit
Don't support the mormon "church"
MerelyMortalModeling@reddit
It's not really supporting them, they aren't making money selling and shipping at the price point they are at
CatsAreMajorAssholes@reddit
The Mormon "church" will do anything to make a buck. I don't believe for one second they're not making a profit off this.
preppers-ModTeam@reddit
Not the place for this
uhyeahsouh@reddit
https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance/home-storage-centers?lang=eng
We prefer to be called by our official name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormon/s as a way to describe us is a pejorative.
preppers-ModTeam@reddit
Enough of this. If people are using outdated but still widely acceptable terminology, you're just going to have to deal with it. This isn't the place for religious debate. We're not debating the proper name of religions here and you need to stop abusing the reporting system or you're going to be banned.
Dialaninja@reddit
Absolutely not a pejorative. The church has changed its preferred name, but the sudden change in tone to act like it's a slur after running the 'I'm a Mormon' and 'Meet the Mormons' campaign is absolute nonsense.
Pres. Nelson had just been biding his time to get that pet project done for decades, ever since Pres. Hinckley hit him with the 'Nah Mormon is fine actually' in the 1991 conference.
uhyeahsouh@reddit
The campaign was in responce to the musical.
Nice try.
Dialaninja@reddit
"And so, while I sometimes regret that people do not call this church by its proper name, I am happy that the nickname they use is one of great honor made so by a remarkable man and a book which gives an unmatched testimony concerning the Redeemer of the world.
Anyone who comes to know the man Mormon through the reading and pondering of his words, anyone who reads this precious trove of history which was assembled and preserved in large measure by him, will come to know that Mormon is not a word of disrepute, but that it represents the greatest good—that good which is of God."
'Mormon' is not a pejorative, it's just been the pet obsession of Pres. Nelson to try and fight the nickname instead of being savvy and leaning into it, like his predecessors did.
MerelyMortalModeling@reddit
I obviously can't speak for you but the Mormans that live around me seem to very much disagree with you. I tend to say Morman after being corrected in real life.
uhyeahsouh@reddit
It’s Mormon. At least spell it correctly.
preppers-ModTeam@reddit
Your submission has been removed for breaking our rules on civility, trolling, or otherwise excessively hostile.
Name calling and inflammatory posts or comments with the intent of provoking users into fights will not be tolerated.
Comments that discourage others from prepping, demean them, or otherwise harm genuine discussions are not permitted and will be removed. A common example of this is discussions involving "nuclear war". If your "prep" involves suicide or inaction, keep your fatalistic commentary to yourself.
If the mod team feels that you are frequently unhelpful or cause unnecessary confrontation, you may be banned. If you feel you are being trolled or harassed, report the comment and do not respond or you may be sanctioned as well. The report function is NOT meant for you to fall back on if you start losing an argument. Similarly, if you are rude and hostile, then report someone for being the same, you may face the same punishment as them, if any.
Provoking others into becoming mean and nasty is trolling and will be dealt with accordingly.
Feel free to contact the moderators if you would like clarification on the removal reason.
BallsOutKrunked@reddit
The church officially shifted a few years back. Some folks care more than others.
MerelyMortalModeling@reddit
Yeah I try to work around people desires with that, like I said to the other guy the only reason I even say Mormon is others in my life have expressed preference for that.
BallsOutKrunked@reddit
We actually had some missionaries over for dinner the other night (long story, basically they were unfed in our rural area and we'd feed nearly anyone in that situation). They used Mormon.
The guys I've heard push LDS the most are church leaders who are more tuned into current doctrine.
IlliniWarrior6@reddit
just have your dry goods food inside the home and adjusted to a temperate climate - especially so during the more humid times of year - not the worst policy to avoid the humid months entirely for food packing .....
you need to use desiccant packs for extra insurance - they need to be separated from the 02 absorbers used >> the desiccant go in first for a bottom bucket position - 02 absorbers are always deposited on top and last minute before the bags are heat sealed >>> there's a "open air" time limit of 15 minutes on the 02 absorbers - **** MOST IMPORTANT PACKING STEP *****
forget the dumbazz freezer crap - Mother Nature provides for the survival of bugs - freezing won't kill the bug larva - grain is silo/warehouse stored in the US Frozen North for winter months >>> freezer treating can in fact add moisture to the dry grain foods and if not properly treated effect the storage .....
*** EXTRA *** >>> if you're into DIYing - desiccant packs can be DIY - Fresh Step Crystals brand cat litter is 100% pure calcium silicate - same industrial chem used in factory OEM desiccant packs >>> the outer layer wrap of your desiccant pack needs to be Food Grade" - coffee filters are a good choice - small handful with a poly twist tie finishes it off .....
hoardac@reddit
Well thanks for the el cheapo tip. Ordering cat poop stuff now.
Dadd_io@reddit
Both plus a garden. I buy canned food and eat or donate it as it nears expiring. For things that aren't really sold in cans such as breads I buy dehydrated. For meat I have a mix of canned tuna, spam, and beef with some freeze dried.
Cute-Consequence-184@reddit
Canned food works well and usually have distant sell by dates.
If you have room, garden
Take classes on food preservation, they are available in the US I know
Read books. Many many books
NewEnglandPrepper3@reddit
Honestly most people should just get bulk freeze dried foods and customize it to their needs. r/preppersales has a great deal on a year supply of freeze dried food right now that comes out to $5 a day for 2k calories a day. I would personally add some freeze dried protein, lots of seasonings, and maybe some canned food for my liking. You just set and forget it.
beautyinmind@reddit
I've personally been stocking white rice and pinto beans in mylar with oxygen absorbers. It's recommended to put the rice and beans in a sealed package in the freezer for at least 24 hours before storing to kill off any potential pests. Don't let your hesitation stop you from getting started, now is the time to prepare in any way you can afford to do so.
BallsOutKrunked@reddit
if you pull put the o2 with an absorber the bugs die as well
Piratetripper@reddit
I agree here, don't let uncertainty stop progression.
uhyeahsouh@reddit
Buy a moisture tester, they aren’t too bad. Make sure you freeze rice for about a week to make sure you kill the pests that hitch a ride and eat the germ.
But as always, variety is the spice of life. Pack your own, but also grab a few of the commercially available ones as a sort of insurance.