Newbie Prepper Food Storage Questions Answered

[@pinschrunner]

I think we always need to be welcoming by assisting newbies in food storage. Not one of us can know everything and we must vary depending on our climates

[@MousyLeigh]

your channel has been one of the most helpful i've found on this subject. thank you for you help

[@tracydisney4645]

I put flour for long term storage measured out into a brown paper lunch bag, label it with the amount and date, and then vacuum seal it. Brown paper lunch bags are cheap, keeps light out, and allows you to seal without having to worry about powder or glass.

[@melmelbry5754]

Do you fold over the paper bag or what? Put the absorber inside the paper bag inside the mylar?

[@allyderaaf129]

My gramma used to put a paper muffin cup in the jar before sealing. This prevents flour and other dry goods from sucking up into the machine

[@Iamconstantlyevolving]

This video has given me so much insight and a better understanding on how to properly store my food. Your family's channel is truly a blessing! Thank you!

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

i've had a couple cardboard cans of Crisco for just a wee bit too long. Rather than tossing them, however, I've re-packed them in glass jars, labeled them "CANDLE USE ONLY" and have given them a potential second life.

[@sabaof8]

I queried the USDA about long-term food storage. They provided many links to state agencies and several universities. None addressed storing dry foods, vacuum sealing, mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, repackaging retail products, or other topics that preppers are passionate about. You do. You are a treasure.

[@pianogalRN]

From what I'm reading lately, the U.S. DUH is not our friend, far from it unfortunately. So thankful instead for our friends, the Provident Preppers!

[@FtLivingRoomHomestead]

Thumbs up great vid 👍 I will just say that I am very picky when storing food. Back in 2008 I made 12 buckets with 1 large mylar bag and left spices and other things in original packaging. In 2019 when the pandemic started I went into my buckets and some things did better than others. Now, I package EVERYTHING in individual mylar bags and THEN put it all in the 1 large mylar bag in the bucket. This pandemic was a good field test. I personally recommend wrapping everything individually from my experience. I was truly impressed with the capabilities of mylar. This is TRULY a reliable storage method. Again, great vid!

[@nan-ban3891]

Just subscribed....learning soooooo much! Thank you, God bless.

[@MarkFaust]

I have been a true prepper for many years and this channel is one of my favorites..

[@nightowl7052]

I just found your channel, and I love it!!! I subscribed to it because I feel confident about the accuracy of your content! I’m trying to do the right thing for my family, and one person says don’t do it this way and then another person will say yes do it this way! 🙄 Very confusing, your channel is like a breath of fresh air. 🙂

[@nan-ban3891]

I've always kept my flower in the fridge in the original container. Hint from my grandmother.

[@ragnarmjolnir9654]

My first thought, when I saw your stores,was: you've got a warehouse. Then I remembered: you guys have a platoon strength family. 😁🤣😂👍🇺🇸🖖

[@rivershere01]

My grandma volunteers at a food pantry. She will take things left over and give it to us. Even if we dont like something we store it back in case we need to give something to others. That way we arent taking from our own preps.

[@janiselow7482]

Thank you so much Kylene for making a video to answer all my questions...I really so so so appreciate your kind effort. Love your video and it's really so helpful especially for newbie like me and now i can share this video with all my friends out there who is also looking into food storage. Thank you once again and God Bless You & your family.

[@brmicmatthews8398]

I like to store my long term spices in little Mylar bags. They usually fit an entire spice bottle (I buy my spices from BigLots) with minimal air space left in the bag. Then I iron them shut with a straight iron. Thanks for your experience with storing white flour as well. I have about 200 pounds stored in Mylar bags inside five gallon buckets. The oldest bucket isn’t even three years old yet so I figure now that I know, I’ll use it in the next couple years. You guys always have great practical videos this is why I stay subscribed. Many preppers know nothing of what they’re storing.

[@fabricdragon]

Vacuum sealing flour: my preferred method is to put the entire bag into a long vacuum bag. you can make a tiny tear or hole in the bag if you like (preferably at the far end) and vacuum. never had a problem with dust. since its short term storage i dont worry about the air permeability of the plastic. if you need to store something very powdery in a jar and vacuum it? you can use a thin clean fabric (think handkerchief weight?) and press it down over the top of your power inside the jar, then put the mason id on and vacuum.

[@kb6lcw99]

God Bless you and yours for all you share.

[@sheilarogers8719]

Sugar can also be put into brown paper bag fold over top. Be sure to tape bottom of bag with a wide tape same with flour. Then vacuum seal

[@pianogalRN]

Someone answered another comment, saying those paper lunch bags (any paper bags) are porous; you will lose your seal.

[@jacquiollard8784]

freezedried instant coffee lasts 20 years in mylar with an O2 absorber - i have drunk ordinary instant coffee that was in it's unopened original container 7 years past it's use by date and it was good

[@Hklbrries]

I’d wondered about that. Thanks for the tip! Guess what I’ll be storing next? 😉💕

[@melmelbry5754]

Wouldn't that be the same for regular instant coffee if you put it in mylar with 02 absorbers?

[@mastiffpeople4868]

For coffee, my son said freeze whole beans, do not grind. He worked at Starbucks.

[@2Ryled]

How long does it last in a normal storage on a prepper shelf, or does it need to be frozen?

[@mastiffpeople4868]

@@2Ryled 1 year

[@2Ryled]

@@mastiffpeople4868 thank you. Good to know:)

[@ravelanone9462]

Thanks for this tutorial. Really, really good and pretty comprehensive information! Thank you so much!

[@J_LOVES_ME]

This video was so informative! I thought I knew a lot, but I learned a few new things!

[@jc.1191]

I read the plastic bottle section. I think Teflon plumbers tape may be the best tape solution because the adhesive doesn't wear out. I suppose it could be taped over too. Maybe glue would work?

[@reesysorganicworld1989]

I appreciate you so much. Have a blessed day

[@sidneybennett5278]

Very good advice, I need to do my inventory and rotate due to I am reaching about 2 years now. God Bless

[@Laura.4]

I just found your channel I’m so excited!!!!

[@kjefferson3014]

Semolina flour for pasta says its 12 to 15% moisture content. I am new to long term storage. I used a mylar bag with a desiccant on bottom of bag & put in 5 gallon bucket with gamma lid. Should I not have used a desiccant? I didnt use oxygen absorber because of moisture content.

[@coolpop19]

YOU CAN PUT ANY FINE DUSTY PRODUCTS IN A PAPER BAG. FOLD THE TOP DOWN ONE TIME AND PUT IN A FOOD SAVER BAG AND THEN VACUUM IT DOWN. THIS KEEPS THE DUST FROM GETTING IN YOUR MACHINE

[@nan-ban3891]

NOTE: mice are off put by citrus fragrance, lime in particular and MINT. Mice hate mint. I learned this the hard way!

[@jessicaSmash]

Great video. Will share with my friends.

[@jcb8858]

How do you find out how much moisture is food? EXAMPLE- I seal n mil instant oatmeal packages (the apple cinnamon & brown sugar maple syrup flavors) and I'm worried about them but I have no idea how much moisture is in them.

[@beigebiscuit8081]

I'd like to know that also

[@melmelbry5754]

Apparently the flavored oatmeal go bad faster. So it's better just to do plain oatmeal and add freeze dried fruit and honey etc to it. Too bad because I love cream of strawberry oatmeal only. Meh

[@goofyroofy]

Great video, as always PP, I have some info regarding storing coffee, another channel, Bear Independent has a coffee company that advertised bags of green coffee beans for long term storage (Bunker Coffee IIRC?) you basically use a mylar bag and oxygen absorber, and once you're ready to use the coffee, you would open the bag and roast it. There are several options for that, most ppl use an air pop popcorn maker, theres loads of videos out there on how to do it. I know some coffee varieties once roasted have a lot of oil on the bean, so storing them green seems to be the best route. Now you can store freeze dried coffee (yes, the taste is not great) but i've seen guys on the MRE channels make some from back in ww2 that was still good. If you wanted to store that long, you'd need small mylar/vacuum pouches, as in the MRE/K rations they were in a small sealed pouch. Hope that helps the coffee drinkers out there. You also could look at giving it up as well, verboten, I know, but once I had some hard times where I had to do it, and after a few days, you get used to it. Luckily I had winter preps, although not as organized as I am now, to see me through. If you're like me and like the good stuff, it's an expense that could be put to better use, even though on the luxury scale its pretty reasonable. If you were worried about needing to be alert in a crisis, you could always keep some caffeine pills on hand. It's been something I've been considering as the desire to prep expands. Speaking of dry goods, lunar new year is at hand, and hopefully there are deals on rice wherever you are, I just was blessed enough to get 500 lb of rice at a 25-30% discount, so check around and hopefully when those once a year sales come around you'll be able to take advantage. Next project is making pemmican, if that works out, it will save the need for additional freezers, as well as a lot of the bulk associated with regular dry goods. Being on a carnivore diet it seems odd buying large amounts of grains and legumes, however, if the info about Grand Solar Minimums is correct, food prices could price me out of that market. For those starting out, don't be discouraged, you'd be surprised how fast an extra can of beans or bag of pasta adds up over time, thats how I started, I would try and have extra for the house each autumn for the upcoming winter, mostly to not have to go out in storm for supplies, then in late Jan/early Feb, I saw the videos on Peak Prosperity and realized things could go sideways real fast and upped my game. When it became time to ready my preps for long term storage I came across PP, and I cant recommend the videos highly enough, they are a fantastic resource, and I've been blessed to have the peace of mind knowing many items are covered. For rodent control, I'm lucky to have a few 4 legged paw-trollers to keep the area clear & they work for food, catnip and chin scratches^^

[@DanaKot336]

Hey, how about non caffein coffee ? Can you store it for long term though ?

[@goofyroofy]

​ Yes, you can xD Had to check if they were a thing & found this...Green coffee is decaffeinated before roasting. This process changes the color of the green coffee. The main process we offer is the naturally-chemical-free Swiss Water Process, which is a light brown color before roasting!

[@DanaKot336]

@@goofyroofy Interesting, thank you. So where's the caffein coming from? Do you need to roast the green beans to drink coffee? How can you roast without doing the process of filling it with caffeine? I thought it was naturally inside the coffee beans as it is and the decaffeinated & roasted is made by some process in the factory

[@goofyroofy]

@@DanaKot336 The caffeine is in bean, when picked, dried, etc. its removed either with a chemical solvent process, or the swiss water process before they roast the beans.

[@DanaKot336]

@@goofyroofy can you remove in manually or naturally at home ?

[@pianogalRN]

Thank you for your helpful tips, I'm learning lots. Re the PETE plastic storage containers, is that some kind of tape seal you have wrapped around the lids?

[@sheilarogers8719]

Storing coffee freeze it then put in vacuum seal once back to room temperature.

[@lauradellarocco1009]

I store instant coffee long term. It's freeze-dried so it lasts long time.

[@cbass2755]

Corn Meal? Jars or Mylar bags? I had to remove it because it came in a cardboard box. I have 3 Quarts of them. I can vacuum seal or use 02 absorber’s or desiccant if needed…….

[@melmelbry5754]

What is corn meal for?

[@47retta]

Rain Country on KZbin had a video recently about how to store coffee.

[@NayokeHenji]

Excellent information as always, thank you so much!

[@teresaherrera4307]

I forgot to ask my second question lol When storing five gallon buckets in garage, do you need to put cardboard or some type of barrier on floor so the buckets are not directly touching concrete ? Thanks again !

[@unnamed2737]

I really need help with storing some things for people with special diets that no one ever talks about. Everyone talks about wheat flour but we have celiac disease so we have to live gluten free. I have found an all purpose gluten free flour but can’t find specifics on how to store it long term and how long it will last. The ingredients are: rice flour, whole grain brown rice flour, sorghum flour,tapioca starch, potato starch, cellulose, xanthan gum, and added vitamins and minerals. It has zero fat. Please help! Also we can’t have peanuts but do buy almond butter. I just threw two bottles away last month because they were past expiration. Would they have lasted years like peanut butter does?

[@mcorbeil144]

Thank you so much for this! I was taking notes the whole time! God bless y'all!

[@RhodeToPrepping]

Have you ever stored your properly packaged long term grains in 55 gallon steel drums. Things like wheat berries, rice, rye, dent corn, white corn, pearl barley, cracked 7 grain, oat groats, steel cut oats, plus beans?

[@RhodeToPrepping]

@@TheProvidentPrepper Thank you. I was wondering about a desiccant. We are putting the 55 gallon barrels on those small roller “mover” type things that we’ve gotten at Harbor Freight. The barrels are going to be off the concrete floor. Considering loading each barrel with 2, 3.5 gallon buckets containing wheat berries packaged in 7 ml Mylar with o2. Now we will add the desiccant. Plan on filling the excess space with smaller 7ml Mylar bags. The plan is to put the smaller bags in those orange 50 lb capacity mesh bags so we can easily reach in and pull out. Getting older and wanting to think about ease of removing products. Thanks again.

[@RhodeToPrepping]

@@TheProvidentPrepper not sure how to send you a photo. I do already have a photo.

[@susanhunter8272]

Very good! Thanks.

[@carriekimble2994]

I enjoyed this video thank you so much!

[@Nicole-em4nd]

Can you please do a video on 72 hour kits ?

[@reenabalroop4369]

Very informative thank you

[@jeanpaspa]

I'm a newbbie, so i'm not clear about salt storage. You showed it in it's original package. Is that the best way to store it? I'm learning so much from your videos. Thank You.

[@ThePreparednessGuyOfficial]

This is fantastically done.

[@aaronchambers1703]

Question about the Honey in glass. Would you vacuum seal the mason jar or just leave it as is? I am newer to all this, you guys have hit me back a few times with some answers to other questions, which I really, really appreciate. I love that you guys do these videos and I am very grateful to you all. Sometimes I wish I can just come visit and spend time learning in real life, real time with you guys. A heart felt thank you. :)

[@melmelbry5754]

I'm pretty sure ethe have 400 year old honey in clay jars that is still good to eat. I don't think you have to vacuum seal and honey

[@UnbornLivesMatter]

Thank you! I learned a LOT!

[@megmourain3731]

Pasta storage question. When you put a bag or a box of pasta in a plastic bucket with an oxygen absorber, do you need to cut a hole in the bag of pasta (to get the oxygen out) How many oxygen absorbers do you need per bucket size. Is it better to put the pasta in mylar bags with an oxygen absorber and then put the mylar bags in a plastic bucket? I thought I remember you saying that if you put an oxygen absorber in a plastic bucket, it doesn’t really work because plastic doesn’t block oxygen. So the mylar bags are to keep out the oxygen and bugs and the buckets are to keep out rodents. Am I understanding this correctly? I have heard you say your preferred choice for mylar bags and oxygen absorbers is wallaby. What is your preferred choice for new buckets? Because of the war in Ukraine I understand we are going to have a pasta shortage in the near future. Can you make a video just about pasta storage.

[@uponamidnightdreary]

Thank you for the wealth of knowledge!! Subbed! ✅

[@evilroy6568]

This was very helpful, thank you.

[@Dynamytguy]

Newbie and put flour and cornmeal in freezer for 3 days before vacuum sealing in mason jars. Found out I probably introduced moisture to grains. Should I use dessicant to remove before sealing?

[@peggyoconnell3733]

A fantastic video! Thank you!!!

[@roserea3156]

I live in a trailer. No storage space. I bought large out building how do I make. It so I can put my food pantry there and keep my food storage safe to eat. I got 5 gal food grade buckets for rice bean oat meal etc can I leave rice and quinoa in their original vac sealed bags and place in bucket with O2 absorbers?

[@brightstarr57]

Super video...great Q&A!

[@marygallagher3428]

Lots of good information, thanks!

[@michelerichard5523]

If I put my pasta noodles into vac bags with oxygen absorbers and then into buckets, would that make them good for long term. Or still better to use Mylar bags( expensive) or mason jars.

[@youtrades]

I've had mice chew through plastic totes before, just FYI. If keeping in mylar bags or anything of the sort, I would recommend 5 gallon buckets or an impervious container. Excellent information here though :-)

[@youtrades]

Oh! And what about freezing "better than bullion"?

[@youtrades]

Also, I absolutely love you guys and your explanations and your thorough thought that you put into all this. I've been following quite a few people for information on prepping and I only just now started delving into you guys and your wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for your sharing and openness about it all!!

[@OGbrick420]

use a bit of dry ice in conjunction with an oxygen absorber, the dry ice creates carbon dioxide as it evaporates/dries.

[@nicolesimon6202]

When you were talking about flours you didn’t mention bread flours. Would they fall into white flour? I would think yes but when wheat flour is a no go....... thanks for all the great info m

[@Hklbrries]

Thanks for this. Wondering if I could put Grape Nuts (nuggets, not flakes) in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers for long-term storage. They don’t have any appreciable fat, are low-moisture, and are wheat. Should work, right? Thanks again! 💕

[@Hklbrries]

@@TheProvidentPrepper THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love science and credible sources and thank you for directing me there! 💕 BTW, I recently attended a Cooperative Extension workshop through the University of Idaho on safe water storage. The volunteer presenting the workshop had extensive training - and had a link to your website on his handouts. That ain’t nothing! Rose Red Homestead is another wonderful KZbinr who provides science-based information I trust. Thanks again! 💕

[@cbass2755]

Crackers…how to store them? I have a ton of Graham Crackers bc I use it for crusts. Other crackers too…cheese crackers, etc. I’d like it to store for at least two years? Is that possible?

[@ShadowScoutSwede]

Thanks for sharing another awesome video with great and useful tips much appreciated as always stay safe and take care.

[@ShadowScoutSwede]

@@TheProvidentPrepper Anytime

[@alexscrubs1]

How would you store rice cakes? My kids love them and we eat half a pack a day.

[@GetUrPhil]

So I understand that nuts, granola, Brown rice are not to be in the long term food storage but don't understand why dried eggs are included. I have Augusta Dried Whole Egg Powder that says a shelf life of 10 yrs and the directions say to remove the oxygen absorber.

[@GetUrPhil]

@@TheProvidentPrepper Thanks for the reply but I think 10 yrs and above, in my opinion, would be long-term storage.

[@halo218813]

I wanna know the recipe for what grandma was making on the slow cooker lol 😹 that looked good!!

[@halo218813]

@@TheProvidentPrepper omgggggggosh it looks good!!! I thought it was creamy chicken soup. Thank you for replying ❤️. I'm a new subscriber and kinda new to prepping, we've been waiting for the rapture forever and the way the world is now it doesn't seem too far off 😿

[@sherrireed2792]

How do you store water for long term use, drinking water?

[@sterlinghills6038]

My family is down to 3, 5 if the kids come home. Is it possible to store beans, rice , pasta, flour and legumes in their separate bags with oxygen absorbers in a mylar bag. Say things i would use and cook with for the month.instead of huge bags of each item. Thank you , love watching you both.

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Absolutely it is possible. You could line a bucket with a 5 gallon Mylar bag. Add packages of beans, rice, pasta, etc. with a small hole in each so that the oxygen absorber can suck the oxygen out of the individual bags. Heat seal the Mylar bag closed.

[@luciaazcarraga3140]

Hi love your family and the way you display info. Please help with these: In an off grid situation how do you store yeast. And how, things that once opened need to be in the fridge: Maple syrup, jelly, peanut butter, salad dressing...Thank you!

[@luciaazcarraga3140]

@@TheProvidentPrepper thank you so much!

[@nildamartinez6188]

Just saw your video & learned a few things about storing food. Question “which 5 gallon containers do you recommend are best to purchase” to store long term food?

[@leamay56]

Can we make mylar bags out of emergency blankets? heat seal 3 sides and fill then vaccumn the bag closed...any answers

[@DH-en4th]

Do you have any experience saving gluten free grains/flours? Quinoa, millet, tapioca, nut flours, etc? Fats are so important for health. Are there any healthy fats that can be stored without going rancid?

[@claudeneverlinden6786]

Very informative video. I’m prepping for just myself so my plan is prep the food pails that I can just grab and go if need be. My question is can you store can goods and package goods in the same pail for up to a year together? Also do you have knowledge on how to store dog food?

[@jenniferchadwick9323]

Can you vacuum seal quaker instant apple and cinnamon packets. Can you pour the favor oatmeal all in one jar and vaccuum seal it. will it store up a long term life shelf.

[@leereneecee]

Good idea

[@Aperture67]

When storing white rice for long term storage, should there be any concern taken for white parboiled rice? We would love to long term store the 50lbs we have on hand but want to make sure we don't waste it by storing improperly. Thank you!

[@mainstreet9788]

How do you clean and sterilize the food grade plastic buckets?

[@WayneEvansGuitarCowboy]

Do you have a video on what size Oxygen absorber to use in a specific size storage container per a specific food item?

[@heatheringram2976]

I want to store higher fiber grains for long term storage. Can I store Bulgar, quinoa, and kamut in mylar bags with absorbers in buckets? Also can I store freeze dried yogurt to use as a starter? Or can bought powdered starter be stored long term?Thank you!

[@titanpreparedness]

Another excellent video. Lots of good information covered

[@EatsTreatsMREs]

Great video and very informative thank you.

[@gurkamalkaur3207]

What attachment to vacuum seal in empty spaghetti jars and the likes

[@deepun9091]

So, it's better to buy, beans, oats rice in small packets so can freeze them easily rather in larger, cheaper 10kg bags? Then put packets in plastic buckets? With oxygen absorbers or dried ice?

[@jilladoni]

Peanuts ? Storage? Container had o2 absorber in can. The Cans came broken, put o2 absorbers back ? Seal or not ? Thank you 😊

[@deepun9091]

@@TheProvidentPrepper Thanks a lot! I don't have much space in freezer, So oxygen absorbers in buckets would be great Many thanks

[@jilladoni]

Yes, I looked at it and was surprised. I’ll take them out of bags tomorrow. Thank you so much. Got nervous. I’ll seal without absorbers and use them sooner than later. I’ll do the peanut butter too, great idea. Again, very grateful for your response 🙏🏻

[@jilladoni]

I can vacuum in a jar, no oxygen absorbers tho👍🏻

[@The-Grateful-Hippie]

Do you have a favorite chart or list that helps you keep track of your food storage? We are solid in short term but moving towards long term and am just overwhelmed keeping it all organized. Fingers crossed that a freeze dryer is in our future as well!

[@claudeneverlinden6786]

I have watched tons of videos on becoming a prepped because I am new to this and starting from the bottom. In most of the videos they talk about having food already packed that you can just grab and go in a crisis situation. Although you have the most awesome food storage I wondered if you have meals together that you can grab in a emergency? Can you share that if you do or tell me where to find it in your videos? I’d love to see how you prepare for that. Thank you.

[@jojogomez26]

Should i spray paint the outside of my maspn jars to help with light barrier?

[@douglasschmitt6645]

Clarification on freeze/thaw/freeze of white rice and beans. I can do the f/t/f after I have finished the storage process in mylar bags. Or is the f/t/f completed before I store in mylar bags? Thank you.

[@reeree4735]

That's what I want to know.

[@tinas1129]

To dry vacuum in glass jars. I was and sterilize the jars in the oven. My question is do I let the jars cool down before I put the beans/ rice in or do I put the beans/rice in while it is hot? I use silica packets and they have already turned colors and need changes. Not sure how there is still moisture in there

[@pattyg6803]

How do you store potatoe flakes, and corn meal?

[@kellyzent2415]

Could I use clean Tidy Cat containers to hold mylar or packaged foods? They save space and are usually free.

[@barbaraaderinto3704]

Can you put pasta in mason jars with oxygen absorbers?

[@costalclassics5423]

Once I have placed my food in the mylar bag and put it in a bucket can I use a gamma lid for long-term storage or should I get on a lid that stays on?

[@kimberleecherry]

HELP when storing flour salt sugar etc which require no O2 absorber, then storing those in the food grade bucket do you still put an o2 absorber in the bucket.

[@jjmcwill1881]

what about potato flakes and powdered milk?

[@kimhayden954]

I’m not a new preppier, but I am new to Mylar bags….I just can’t get it right! My moisture removers are bland new. I sealed a bag with my iron, waited 24 hrs…..no go….not sealed. Please help, I bought a bazillion bags to put in 5 gal buckets with too

[@mastiffpeople4868]

Do you have video on storing pet food? I hear it goes rancid quick. Thank you for this!

[@mastiffpeople4868]

@@TheProvidentPrepper thank you will stock up on canned dog food and probably mix with rice!

[@childofyah-u-ah1370]

Can you vacuum seal freeze dried foods? You would think that would work....