There are few things more delicious than a fresh-picked apple or home-cooked meal. Sadly, fresh foods spoil quickly.
Mylar is an incredibly versatile material that is used for everything from insulation, blueprints and kites to equipment labels and solar filters. Itโs also used in crisps packets to prolong the life of food.
Food Storage
When it comes to long-term food storage, Mylar Bags are a prepperโs best bet. These bags protect foods from moisture, oxygen and insects that can cause them to spoil. They also offer a long shelf life and have an extremely low Oxygen Transmission Rate. In addition, they are very durable and resist stains, punctures and tears. There are other packaging materials that can be used for food storage, but these often have a learning curve or are more expensive.
Mylar bags are commonly used for storing dry foods, such as beans, rice and sugar. They are also ideal for storing fruits and vegetables that have been dehydrated. However, it is important to note that dehydrated fruit and vegetables must be very dry before storing them in Mylar bags, otherwise they will go bad. To achieve this, many people recommend using a desiccant to remove any moisture before packing them in Mylar bags. This will ensure that the food is safe to eat in case of an emergency.
Another reason why Mylar bags are great for food storage is because they have an oxygen barrier, which prevents the growth of bacteria and mold. They also protect the contents from oxidation, which can alter their color and flavor.
Moreover, custom Mylar bags can be used with oxygen absorbers to increase the storage length of certain foods. Oxygen absorbers are small plastic pouches that contain granules that will absorb the air inside the bags, preventing it from being released. When paired with Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers can extend the shelf-life of nuts and seeds, dried fruit and vegetables, brown rice, and quinoa by up to 5 years.
It is important to note that while these results are very promising, it is not a good idea to store fresh, whole foods in Mylar bags for the long-term. This is because of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can cause deadly Botulism poisoning. This anaerobic bacterium only grows in low/no oxygen environments, and it will produce spores to help it survive in the absence of oxygen. Therefore, it is very important to rotate through your food supply frequently, so that you do not end up with spoiled food.
Electronics Packaging
Whether itโs protecting electronics, long term food storage or a simple bag to carry home groceries, Mylar Bags can help. These bags have an airtight seal that keeps foods fresher for longer than other packaging methods. When used with oxygen absorbers, these Mylar bags can extend the shelf life of most foods to over thirty years.
The silvery appearance of Mylar Bags is the result of an aluminum layer sandwiched between polyester layers, making it an effective light and oxygen barrier. Mylar has been around for over fifty years and is renowned for its durability and flexibility. Itโs been used in everything from protecting maps, as thermal and electrical insulation, to confetti, diaphragms for loudspeakers and headphones, and components of spacesuits. Itโs also been a common choice for food packaging for astronauts in space.
Mylar bags are an excellent option for storing dry foods and can be sealed to create a vacuum seal. When using Mylar bags for food storage, itโs important to add oxygen absorbers before sealing the bag. The o2 absorbers help to keep the air inside of the bag at an even lower pressure than it would normally be. This prevents the food from spoiling or absorbing bacteria or mold as quickly as it otherwise might.
When storing Mylar bags with food, itโs helpful to label the contents and date they were stored. This will allow you to find and use the oldest food first, as well as know when itโs time to discard any that are past their prime.
Itโs also a good idea to store any wet foods in aluminum cans or tins rather than Mylar bags. This will prevent the wet food from becoming soggy or spoiled in the bag.
Regardless of which type of food youโre storing in your Mylar bags, itโs best to place the items in Tupperware-type containers to make them easier to handle and position for sealing. Youโll want to wear gloves when handling the Mylar Bags so that you donโt cut yourself on the sharp edges of the plastic. Depending on your preference, you can choose to heat seal the Mylar Bags or use a commercial sealer machine.
Pet Food
Many pet parents are concerned with preserving the shelf life of their dog or cat food. This not only helps to keep their pets healthy but it also helps to reduce waste and cost. Prolonging the shelf life of wet and dry pet foods and treats is accomplished by using fresh ingredients in their manufacturing processes, effective storage methods and by adhering to “best-by” dates.
Keeping pet food stored properly can also help to prevent problems like molds, bacteria or rodents. The latter problem is especially common with dry pet food and can cause everything from GI upset to severe itching and allergies in dogs and cats.
To help avoid these issues, it’s important to store pet food in a cool, dry area away from sunlight or heat sources. It’s also a good idea to place the food in a plastic or galvanized metal bin with a tight-fitting lid. In addition, the pet food should be kept in its original bag if possible since this will contain date code information about the manufacturer, factory, time and production line used to make it.
Another way to extend the shelf life of pet food is by storing it in Mylar bags. While food-grade plastic buckets are usually a better choice, Mylar is more durable and is easier to seal. You can also use the bags as liners inside 5- or 6-gallon plastic buckets for added protection from rats (as well as simpler handling).
All Mylar bags wholesale have a low oxygen transmission rate, meaning that it is almost impossible for them to let air in. However, it’s a good idea to purchase food-grade Mylar bags with a middle layer of aluminum and 2 different plastic layers on the inside and outside designed specifically for long term food storage. This ensures the best level of quality and prevents the oxidation of food that could shorten its safe shelf life.
While all Mylar bags are transparent, not all of them are x-ray proof. It’s important to know this before purchasing your food storage bags so you can be sure that your product will stay protected. If you’re interested in a specific type of Mylar bag, be sure to contact the seller before buying to see if they can offer this option.
Medical Supplies
Mylar Bags are becoming the gold standard in long term food storage. The bags protect foods from heat, light, humidity and outside oxygen. They are used by companies of all kinds from grain farmers to granola makers and natural supplement manufacturers. The most popular thicknesses are 3.5mil and 5mil, though there is a wide array of options on the market.
What are Mylar bags made out of? Mylar bags are made from a special film called BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate). This is a thin plastic that has many useful properties, including high tensile strength, chemical and dimensional stability, transparency, light, gas, aroma, moisture and electrical insulation. The film also resists punctures, making it ideal for packaging.
The film is also a good insulator, making it perfect for mylar blankets, emergency kits and more. You may have seen the reflective emergency blankets that are popular with hikers or marathon runners; they use Mylar to reflect body heat back to the person, keeping them warm and comfortable. Mylar is also commonly used to make food storage pouches and lids like coffee foil pouches in the food industry.
When you are ready to seal your own Mylar bags, be sure to use a vacuum sealer. This will ensure that the air is completely removed from the bag, extending the shelf life of your food. You can also choose to add an oxygen absorber to your Mylar bag for even more protection. This can help your food retain its taste, texture and color for longer.
While all plastics breathe a little, Mylar bags are incredibly durable and slash that transfer to nearly zero. This makes them great for storing dry, low-moisture foods like whole grains and dried fruits. However, they do not work for wet foods with a higher moisture content. For this reason, you should store wet foods in food grade storage buckets or in tinned foods with an oxygen absorber.
You can buy Mylar bags at most grocery stores or online. They are a great way to prepare for emergencies or simply extend the life of your food. The bags are available in a wide variety of sizes, and you can also get the oxygen absorbers and food grade storage buckets needed to preserve your food safely for years.