PSA: Vacuum sealed Ritz Crackers and Oreos still perfect after two years
Posted by ibkickinit@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 26 comments
I decided to test some of my comfort preps. I cracked open two Quart mason jars that were Vacuum sealed just over two years ago. One was Ritz Crackers, the other was double stuff Oreos. They were stored @ \~70F in a pantry, no sunlight. Both came out just as good as the day I put them in.
I have alot of variety and about 2 million calories stored, but I have ben looking for ways to enhance my comfort preps and these are two things that we LOVE snacking on.
xanadu0324@reddit
As a single person who can't eat ritz before they go stale, thank you. This thread came up when I asked about vacuum sealing them! ❤️
infinitum3d@reddit
I’m a bit surprised about the Ritz crackers.
Ever since the companies cut out the trans fats, the “healthy” fats have a tendency to go rancid more quickly.
https://www.cleveland.com/taste/2012/04/whats_that_smell_rancid_food_i.html
roger_oss@reddit
I've been experimenting off and on with vacuum bagging crackers and other dried like breads for a while. They seem to get softer while within the vacuum bags, maybe due to the extended time period alongside included moisture and oils? Or, they seem fine for the first day or so opened, seemingly tasting fine at first, but quickly degrade, again, likely due to the small amount of oils used within commercial crackers. I've yet to get sick, from eating 2-3 year old vacuum repackaged products.
And I keep forgetting, you can place the crackers within the oven for further drying before bagging them, attempting to significantly dry-out any residual moisture. (eg. The commercial bagging/packaging for crackers likely incurs some minimal moisture between after being packaged and time of purchase.)
The process is called twice baking something, for long term storage, usually performed at a very low temperature and lengthy period of time. A food dehydrated can also be used for further drying crackers, and probably far more cost effectively. However, baking in an oven at a slightly higher temperature than a food dehydrator is capable, may solidify the minimal amount of oils within the commercial crackers.
After all is said and done, and all of this effort is put forth, likely just best home baking some crackers without oil, and vacuum sealing. There are a couple of hard bread/tack/crackers available commercially, for which survival enthusiasts praise for vacuum sealing.
xaidin@reddit
Yeah, I've had saltines go rancid on me. Looking forward to hearing 5 years in.
Drake-R8@reddit
Yep this works. I just recently opened a jar of Ritz from 2017 and it was as fresh as new - I just add a 300cc oxygen absorber and seal with my Foodsaver Jar Attachment.
ibkickinit@reddit (OP)
I considered using oxygen paks as well as the vacuum only gets about 3/4 of the air out. I think it would give even better results than my vacuum-only method.
Drake-R8@reddit
Ya it definitely will keep dry goods fresh for years stored in a cool dark space - mine are kept in the basement.
Ganon_Enjoyer@reddit
So a humid environment like East Texas wouldn’t be conducive to keeping them as long as you did? (Assuming a no-A/C scenario)
Drake-R8@reddit
I would assume they wouldn't keep as well but you could always experiment and test. Mine are always kept in a basement that remains cool even in hot weather and when I do open a jar it is kept inside a kitchen cabinet.
ibkickinit@reddit (OP)
Added some photos of how I store them. Quart mason jar, two columns vertical, and then stack kinda sideways to fill the dead space. Highest density I was able to acheive.
Independent_Fox8156@reddit
Why not store them in vaccuum sealed plastic bags ? Instead of jars to save extra space ?
ibkickinit@reddit (OP)
Trying to keep from breaking them. I do alot in Mylar, but some things I prefer is glass to protect its shape.
Independent_Fox8156@reddit
Ah! That’s a good point :)
SkyConfident1717@reddit
Nothing wrong with comfort preps, glad they’re in good shape! Did vacuum sealing them affect their texture/flavor?
ibkickinit@reddit (OP)
I have fresh of both as well and there is no discernable taste difference. If you put a gun to my head I might say the ritz were ever so slightly less buttery, but I swear I have had more variation in fresh ones that these 2 year ones are giving.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
But what about Twinkies?
ibkickinit@reddit (OP)
Actually thought about doing some Twinkies the same way! Maybe I'll try some this batch.
dabdelma@reddit
What device do you use to vacuum seal? Thanks
ibkickinit@reddit (OP)
For jars I have a Foodsaver V2460 with the jar attachment.
Also have an Impak KF108 for Mylar and other bags (Works AWESOME)
and a generic impulse sealer for mylar, but I usually just use the Impak.
NoCoyote2409@reddit
This is great. Based on your experience, I am going to try this myself.
Did you remove the Ritz crackers from their paper sleeve before putting them into the jars, or did you just take the whole sleeve from the box right into the jar?
Any reason to think this wouldn't work with other snacks like Triscuits or Cheez-Its? Hard candy? Thanks!
ibkickinit@reddit (OP)
I removed from the sleeves and stacked them in the jars. I added pics to the OP of how I fit them in. same stack for Ritz or Oreos.
Triscuits and cheeze-its should do just as well. I'm not as confident in kisses, but it could work?
NoCoyote2409@reddit
Thanks!
WildAcresFarmAR@reddit
I now know how I’ll survive my wife’s wrath post-SHTF! You’re a godsend
69420FappistMonk@reddit
Well what do you expect from junk food that's 99% preservatives?
Few-Ad-890@reddit
Guess I expected your mom to terminate the pregnancy.
Thank you for your contribution!
HashtagFaceRip@reddit
This is a great post! I love this post. You are sharing knowledge and making this sub a better place. Great work, please let us know what else you find. I have a few experiments with repackaged KD and Boxed Scalloped Potatoes going on. Will let you know findings in 2-3 years.