Bulk staples sealed properly are the cheapest long-term calories you can store — and mylar bags with oxygen absorbers are how you do it. Done right, this method takes food that would spoil in a year and preserves it for 25 years or more. It is the single most valuable skill in food storage.
Why it works
Food degrades from oxygen, moisture, light, and pests. A mylar bag blocks light and moisture; an oxygen absorber removes the oxygen that causes rancidity and supports pests and mold. Together, sealed inside a rodent-proof bucket, they create a near-perfect long-term environment.
What you need
- Mylar bags — thick enough (5+ mil) to resist punctures. Kits like the Mylar Bags + Oxygen Absorbers Kit bundle bags and absorbers together.
- Oxygen absorbers — sized to the container. For a standard mylar bag in a bucket, Oxygen Absorbers (300cc) (around 300cc per gallon of space) is the common target.
- Food-grade buckets — Food-Grade Storage Buckets protect the bags from rodents and crushing. Add Gamma Seal Lids to make them easy to open and reseal.
- A sealer — an Impulse Bag Sealer makes clean, reliable seals far faster and more consistently than a household iron.
The process
Fill the mylar bag with a dry staple, drop in the correctly sized oxygen absorber, then seal the bag almost fully — leaving a small gap to press out air — before sealing it completely. Place the sealed bag in a bucket, label it with contents and date, and store it cool and dark. Within a day the absorber pulls the bag tight, a sign of a good seal.
What stores well (and what doesn't)
Low-moisture, low-oil staples store best: white rice, beans, wheat, oats, pasta, sugar, and salt. Avoid this method for high-oil foods (brown rice, nuts) that go rancid regardless, and never seal anything with moisture, which invites botulism. Pair this method with your bulk staples plan.