The question, has in fact, been keeping me up at night! All of my bags don't look airtight. I redid them and I was thinking of redoing them again until I watched your video. I also love the wallaby bags! Thank you for this, now I can sleep easy :-)
Love your channel - same thing here I woke up today thinking I need to redo all these bags after I did them with the seven mill mylar bags and it was pinto beans too !! and none of them sucked in so I took one of them and re-did it inside of the bag into a new bag with another oxygen absorber and still it did not suck in lol but I will take this as advice and not redo the rest of the bags
Mylor bags is nightmare, waste of money and headache . vacuum seal is the best cheapest strong plastic under percent success. The only thing you have to put it in the dark place.
Thank you for this video!! I HAVE lost sleep over this. I used the Wallaby, one gallon bags to store my rice, and beans. I used the 300 oxygen absorbers and none of my bags look “hard”. I did a second batch and used two 300 oxygen absorbers and still none of them are “hard”. I can sleep better, but I will still worry a bit 😊😂
this is me, I just this morning redid a whole bunch of bags...then after I was done, I found this video :) better late then never, now I am a bit more educated and wont be "re-doing" bags unless they actually need it
If I may add , if you freeze dry certain foods there is a good chance that the food will be brittle and possible poke a hole in the bag, so you may not want it to be to tight
Thank you very much for that video! I have reopened and thrown away like 20 good oxygen absorbers because I wasn’t getting that tight brick bag look! Oh well, got to expect a little waste in the learning process. I would like to point out something that you all could mention in your next video (that would help us beginners); and that is, that the 300-600 ccs per gallon is not rated for an EMPTY gallon. I thought it was and that was a big part of my problem. Apparently, the actual ccs needed to absorb all the oxygen in an empty gallon bag is 800; 400 for bags containing loosely packed goods; and 300 for tightly packed goods(give or take). I was packing my rice in 2 gallon Mylar bags and NOT filling them completely up. I also assumed that 2 gallons was 2 gallons 🤔. 2 gallons of rice is not the same as 2 gallons of oats by weight. Even without filling the bags to the top, I had packed roughly 17.5 lbs of rice which is actually 2.5 gallons and provided only 2 gallons worth of oxygen absorbers! Whew! I’m glad I made these little mistakes while there was still time. Jesus is coming back soon, but this world is going to go through a lot of hell first and there ain’t gonna be a rapture! God’s people, get ready!
Those “pinholes” are NOT holes! It’s just a spot where the metal coating has worn off. Mylar is actually just a clear plastic, coated in metal. This tiny “pinhole” of lost coating does not affect the functionality of the bag! This information comes directly from the manufacturer.
I'm so glad that y'all made this video. I've been wondering about stuff like this, because I had these exact problems, when I vaccum sealed some food for storage, a few weeks ago.
Thank goodness I found you, I'm new to prepping and bagged a whole heap of flour yesterday and this morning they look flatter but not sucked in, I had previously done rice and ended up redoing them 3 times. I over compensated with the oxygen absorbers, so now I feel confident, after watching your video, that all is good.
Thank you so much for this video. I purchased large boxes of individual packets of hot cocoa for storing in Mylar bags but am not sure if I can just toss them in the Mylar bag and add OAs or do I need to poke a pin hole in each packet then add to Mylar bag with OAs. Same with dry powdered milk. Each box contains 4 pkgs that make 2 qts each. New to prepping and could use advice on this issue. Thank you!
Yep. I was worried when I did my beans and they weren’t airtight. They’re beans, so I figured they’d be good for at least a while. Your video hit just the right point. Thanks!
Because of you guys I went ahead and started the first steps to preserving. I’ve purchased what Is needed. My son has dietary restrictions and food preferences (to put it lightly). Gluten free oats are 60% of his diet. I will start packaging this weekend. Thank you very much.
.... I read once to put a little less food in the bag, and when you seal it, do the first, then a second seal 1 cm above the first - always seems to help and you are adding a layer of safety in case the first seal is not 100% perfect - always works well for us ....
Thank you so much for making this video! It has given me peace of mind!!!!! I have watched a lot of your videos and learned a lot. I wasn’t sure what kind of mylar bags to buy until, I watched your videos. I’m so glad I waited I purchased Wallaby bags, they are excellent! ❤️🇺🇸💙
I'm glad you explained how some of the bags are a little puffy. I have a few spaghetti bags that did tt. I store the mylar in a food grade bucket after. Your channel is wonderful. Thanks!
Watching this, the thing I most wanted to know was how to find a partner who would be into food storage like I am... the phrase that came to mind is "seeking a friend for the end of the world", lol. You two are adorable. I hope I find my guy one day.
My various types of flour have been in the freezer for at least 3 years. I was going to put the flour into Mylar bags soon, but now I’m afraid they may be moist. Some are in their bag in freezer bags. Other are just in their bag in plastic grocery bags.
Do you have a chart of how long properly sealed items stay good for short and long term storage? I.e. flour in Mylar bags with oxygen absorber should last xx years. I know you have various videos that address individually but was wondering about a cheat sheet or if in the book ?
Thank you so much for your video. I did exactly what you said: bought the Wallaby mylar gallon bags; used the 400cc oxygen absorbers; squeezed as much air out as I could and then quickly sealed with a hair straightener. I then decided to buy a vacuum sealer. I'm doing pretty much the same as before, but removing almost all of the air out (with the vacuum sealer) before I finalize the seal with my hair straightener (which I have to do because the seal from the vacuum sealer isn't sturdy enough). The bags are pretty solid at first, but after a day or so (sometimes quicker) the bags are filling with air. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but clearly this method is not working for me. If anybody else is having a similar problem, I'd love to hear how you overcame it. Or if anyone just has any suggestions for me I'd love to hear.
We did our first mylar project last night. Bagged 10lbs of rice and about 20lbs of beans. This morning the bags were still puffy and didn't seem "right" i thought the bag would suck down more. So i ran a sink full of water and dunked all of our mylar bags and squeezed them under water looking for signs of a leak. And there was NO evidence of a bad seal. We used 1gal bags with two 500cc Oxygen absorbers(overkill, i know) but for our first time i went overboard. But i think my bags are puffy because i wasn't focused on squeezing the excess air as my wife sealed them. Thoughts???
I have a question please: What's the advantage of using Mylar vs "food saver" type bags? Is there really a difference and is it really worth the extra effort/cost? Thanks for your great videos!
I just did a bunch of honey oats cereal in 1 gallon Mylar yesterday with a 400 oxygen absorber and oxygen was fresh in packets but seems all bags I did look as puffy today. I’m worried somethings wrong. I have used Mylar before and most bags were sucked in tight. Help please? I also used wallaby products.
I don’t see Wallaby mylar bags on Amazon, they just have the absorbers. Can you suggest a good Mylar bag? I did just order some from Azure, but I still need the oxy absorbers. Thank you for this video. This is perfect and answered my concerns more than any other video.
Hi - I am new to this so I really appreciate all your explanations. I have a question. I see some videos from others showing that some items can be stored in mason jars. For example, sugar without an O2 absorber and oats with an O2 absorber - and of course stored in a cool, dark, dry place. What are your thoughts on this?
Everyone says don't worry if some bags don't look vacuum sealed and explain it away by talking about its only 21% oxygen in the air. This does not explain why some bags look vacuum sealed and some don't (if treated the same)! The air composition in one bag is not different from the air composition in another bag. What food you put in the bag will make some difference as less dense foods will leave more air gaps than others. In other words the denseness of the products stored could explain this difference which means that it does matter as surely less dense foods like pasta will have more air gaps and need more oxygen absorbers to work. Does anyone know whether I am correct in my thinking? I for one would like to know if it really matters or not!
Our milk powder here in New Zealand is packed in laminate bags made of PET /Al / PE. My question is - Is it ok to leave the milk powder in these for long term storage, or do we need to re bag it into mylar?
I am concerned that the white rice I packaged yesterday didn’t seal correctly. I weighed 5 lbs for each mylar bag, added the OA, took out as much air as I could, sealed it with the ziplock on the bag and sealed again with my vaccuum sealer. After a few hours they all looked like your first package. By morning they were all soft. Did they leak already or is this normal?
Hi, I just did wheat berries and oats in 5 gallon mylar bags with oxygen absorbers in buckets, and a couple days later more than half of the 10 buckets I did are sucked in, yes the plastic buckets are sucked in. The O2 absorbers did their job, but not the seal on the bags. So I guess I have to try again?? Or are they ok since obviously the bucket is sealed?
I did the freezing on my beans and rice to sanitize, can I still use the mylar bags after thawing them for 24 hours/room temperature? Ty! Love the channel.
Thank you for this! I have a question that i can't find the answer for. Maybe someone here can help. We did a bunch of Mylar bags and they all looked vacuum sealed; but then sometime later, maybe a few weeks, i noticed they looked like they have air in them again. Not a ton of air, but not tight like they were. Am i loosing air through possible little holes or is that normal? Thanks for reading!
Talk to us about dry storage of brown rice and botulism even if you use O-2 absorbers. Dried fruit also. Apparently botulism bacterial spores are in soil and water and the bacteria does not need Oxygen to grow?? As I understand, botulism is not a problem with Freeze-Dried foods as there is no moisture in those. But, with other bulk foods it can be an issue. Is there some way to treat dry rice, brown rice, lentils, etc., to prevent botulism poisoning?
Hi, Once I have opened a Mylar bag, can I re-use it by packaging a smaller amount of food in the bag, which has had the top cut off and re-sealing it with an impulse sealer or hair-straightener? Every time I re-use them the bag will get a bit smaller, which is okay. Maybe a good idea rather than sending the bags to landfill after using them once?
Hello. When you slit the bag and put another oxygen absorber, just in case, how exactly do you reseal it and where should you slit it at? I slit mine in front and resealed it, but it didnt seem to work. So, i cut the top, with the closure strip off and resealed it that way. So, can that be done too? Just sealing a mylar bag without a secondary closure on the bag. You guys are wonderful! Thank you for your posts!
we only use nut flours(and other grain free flours)- what is the best way to store- buy in bulk when we can and keep in freezer in bags using commercial vacuum sealer(keeps light off them-- but would like to try mylar and free up some freezer space- not sure if it needs an o2 absorber thanks in advance- have not seen anything on youtube on this
Do u guys have a list of foods that u don't use the oxygen absorbers with , cause after watching ur video I learned that u said not to use in sugar because I would of put it in and hammered it in 20 yrs but I loved and learned from your video ..Thanks so much
You definitely should want the bag to tighten up from the oxygen absorption. How else will you know that the bag has done its job after years??? It's also a good indicator that you put enough oxygen absorbers in or that they were still good.
Hello You said : "if you decide to use a desiccant and an oxygen absorber, do not place them near each other in the package". Why ? I have putted them near each other. Do I need to re-pack everything ? thanks
In 2020 I packaged white rice in water containers that I saved a clean thoroughly. Now it is 2022 my question is can I take that rice out of that containers and put it in mylar bags?
This only happens with the wallaby bags which really makes me question if my food will be good when I need it down the road. I really want to love the wallaby bags and I have a bunch but I'm not sure I'll continue to use them.
None of my mylar bags sealed correctly they were vacuumed with oxygen absorbers and the very next day the bags completely lost their vacuum can somebody please help any advice would be appreciated.
Being provident is already understood and indeed already said in the word prepper. So there is immediate evidence here of inefficient thinking. And browsing the prepping subject today I have to say my immediate view of it saw the error in thinking that continuing to live domestically should be in the plan of being prepared for a disruption or ending of societal safety which of course would mean the ending of domestic safety. So there is no logic in hoarding as a preparation for societal disruption and I think the only logical preparation would be along the lines of travel, not homesteading.
Once you put the mylar in a secondary container... Would it be ok to store them in a cellular? It would be cool and dark but it would be in an environment with humidity.
Thanks for all your tips. It is reassuring to know that the OA doesn't pull out all the air to make them drum tight. My question is how to folks organize their mylar bags so they know what they have? We just got a freeze dryer and already I have lots of mylar bags but in time, I know I wont be able to know what I have.
I picked up some used frosting 3 lb containers from my local grocery store bakery. The seal of course has been broken but I can use them to store my mylar bags, can't I ?
I gave up using mylar. I was vacum sealing mine. Too delicate, very easy to accidentally bump it and get a nick in it and whoosh , there goes the seal.
Thank you for all your knowledge. I have learned so much from you both. I have saved Big money by not making mistakes, by following the rules I learned here!! 😊
If the bag is good and Arnold leaks and the oxygen absorber is good and you packaged two different bags of rice and you seal them both correctly and one get a thief lated and hard and the other one doesn't deflate all the way it's still fluffy then I say why? No one has given a suitable explanation where you had the same conditions on both bags yeah one becomes hard and yeah other one does not but it got to be a scientific reason why and I think the only option is either the bag has a hole or they oxygens or is not up to the task I believe in most cases it's the oxygen absorber
I was curious since I had some oxygen absorbers that didn't seem to do the job so I took the indicator and put it out in the air in my kitchen and have had it out for a month and it hasn't changed color at all. I don't trust the indicators anymore. I will try the feel test and pray. I also use my iron to seal my bags.
You guys are awesome. I just did my first paging with white rice and I was already concerned I did something wrong but they pulled down from what they started at. And you put my mind at ease. I appreciate your videos for us starting out. We need this info. 👍
I got Wallaby bags & brandnew O2 absorbers, & squeezed air out & heat sealed & it’s been 24 hours & only 1 bag is hard!!?? The others have done nothing🥹I AM quite upset because my bags are now wasted & they weren’t inexpensive😢so to me it seems we can never really KNOW if our food will last if bags stay soft??? So what’s the point in spending money in this case. I am single & wanted a lighter alternative to using mason jars😢
That is so frustrating Jan! It is probably just fine but if you want to make certain you can slit a little hole under the seal and slip in another oxygen absorber and heat seal that hole closed. I'm so sorry! Hey we made a video for you today. Check it out ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ERJlgTEmIfs.html
My question pertains to the oxygen absorbers. I am unclear whether or not the oxygen absorber should be removed from its plastic wrapping before being inserted into each bag. Thank you.
If the oxygen absorber is wrapped in plastic you take it out. It should be in a packet that is frequently made of a permeable plastic. Leave it in that one.
I like to buy the Avery printable labels, that way I can put loads of info on the packages like original Best Buy date, lot number, gluten free status etc without having to write it all using my chicken scratch handwriting.
Thanks for the great video! Your visual demonstrations clarify everything so well. I have two questions 1) Are there any situations where it’s acceptable or advisable to use both a dessicant and an O2 absorber? 2) if I use an O2 absorber with food that has any moisture, including oils, does that make the contents of the bag susceptible to botulism growth? Foods I’m thinking of would include dehydrated fruits, meats, nuts, pancake mix, eggs, etc. thank you!
@@TheProvidentPrepper Thank you so much for your reply! Does this mean that oils don’t count as moisture and it’s ok to put them in mylar with an oxygen absorber?
I just today ordered the bags you mentioned in the video but they are 5 mil and not 7 mil. Same brand just not as thick. They don’t show any 7 mil on their website, not even on back order. Do you think the 5 mil will be strong enough quality ?
@@TheProvidentPrepper Wow ! Thank you for the prompt reply !! I do hope you are right because I sure am depleting the bank account to begin this prepping journey. I’ve purchased a pressure canner (NOT the All American I REALLY wanted); dozens of canning jars ; canning tools; now just have to purchase the food to process. Ready, set, GO !! Lol
No. The difference is only in looks not function. Remember black absorbs heat while Mylar reflects it. I'm not sure it makes much difference in a dark storage room
That's weird. Maybe try with different oxygen absorbers. I really like these. packfreshusa.com/?rfsn=7503114.ecc85c Use the promo code PROVIDENT to receive 10% off your purchase.
What would give me peace of mind is also understanding better what exactly is a good oxygen absorber. So, soft and sandy is fresh, and if it has had a good amount of oxygen absorved, it starts to get more gritty and hard?
@@TheProvidentPrepper Got it! Thanks so much for showing how you store them. I was wondering how people deal with opened packets. It would be nice if they came in textured plastic bags that you could just reseal.
I just bought the 5 gallon and 1 gallon gusseted Wallaby bags. I've packaged 15 gusseted bags with rice and beans. Sealed all with an oxy absorber, and none have sucked in. They're all still soft but sealed as far as I can tell.
Same here. Disappointed in Wallaby. The Mylar bags from packfreshusa are like night/day. All of the Mylar bags worked perfectly but the wallaby brand were a waste of $$$$. All the prepping channels it seems recommends them because I’m guessing they are affiliated and make $$$$
