How to Use Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers for Long-Term Food Storage

If you want to store food for 10, 20, or even 30 years, there’s no better duo than mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. Done right, this combo can keep dry goods safe from oxygen, insects, rodents, light, and even time itself.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to use mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, how to pick the right sizes, what foods work best, and how to avoid common mistakes I’ve seen (and made myself) after years of testing and experience.

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📆 Quick Answer

For long-term food storage, use thick (5+ mil) mylar bags paired with oxygen absorbers sized for your container. A 5-gallon bucket typically needs 2,000cc, and a 1-gallon bag usually needs 300–500cc. Seal bags with a flat iron or heat sealer, label them clearly, and store them in a cool, dark, dry place. This combo can preserve dry staples like beans and rice for 25+ years.

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✅ Why Mylar and Oxygen Absorbers Work So Well

Mylar bags block light and moisture. Oxygen absorbers remove the oxygen that insects and bacteria need to survive. That’s two of the biggest enemies of food storage knocked out in one move.

When sealed right:

• Oxygen is removed (so no spoilage or bugs)
• Light can’t get in (no nutrient degradation)
• Moisture is sealed out (no mold)
• Rodents are blocked (if stored in a bucket)

Need a refresher? 🔗 How Long Will Beans Last in Mylar with Oxygen Absorbers? explains the science behind how this method works.

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🏦 Best Foods to Store in Mylar Bags

Only store dry goods with less than 10% moisture. Anything with residual moisture can grow botulism if sealed without oxygen.

Some of the best foods to store in mylar include:

• White rice
• Dry beans (check out 🔗 Best Beans for Long-Term Storage)
• Rolled oats
• Pasta
• Freeze-dried fruits and veggies
• Powdered milk (dry)

Avoid:

• Brown rice (too much oil)
• Dried fruits (unless truly dehydrated)
• Sugar or salt (can clump with absorbers)

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🔢 Oxygen Absorber Size Guide

Choose your oxygen absorber based on volume, not just the bag size.

Quick size chart:

• Pint jar: 50cc
• Quart jar: 100–200cc
• 1-gallon mylar: 300–500cc (2x 300cc if you want extra assurance)
• 5-gallon bucket: 2,000cc minimum (I usually use 2x 1,000cc)

And no, you can’t “overdo it.” If in doubt, round up. More capacity just buys you time in case of micro leaks.

Want more on sizing? 🔗 What Size Oxygen Absorber Do I Need?

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🪤 How to Use Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers

1. Fill your bags with clean, dry food. Don’t open the absorbers yet.
2. Line up your bags so they’re ready to seal all at once.
3. Open the oxygen absorbers and immediately drop the right amount into each bag.
4. Seal the bags using a flat iron, clothes iron, or impulse sealer. I use a hair straightener set to 430°F.
5. Label each bag with contents, date, and cc size of absorber used.

I walk through this process step-by-step in 🔗 How to Vacuum Seal Rice and Beans for Storage (The Right Way), which also applies to mylar sealing.

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❌ Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

• Opening absorbers too early. They start working fast. Wait until all bags are filled and ready.
• Using with high-moisture foods. Never seal moist foods in mylar with O2 absorbers.
• Skipping the bucket. A sealed bag is great, but rodents chew through plastic. Always pair with a food-grade bucket.
• Relying on visual shrinkage. A sealed bag doesn’t always look vacuum-packed. That’s normal. As long as the seal holds, oxygen is gone.
• Storing in a hot area. Heat shortens shelf life. Aim for 50–60°F storage temps if you can.

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🛅 How to Store Extra Oxygen Absorbers

If you have some left after sealing, don’t toss them. Here’s what I do:

• Put extras in a mason jar with a lid
• Add the pink indicator card from the original package
• Vacuum seal the jar (optional but best)
• Store in a dark cabinet

Once opened, they’re only good for about 10–15 minutes unless sealed up again.

More storage tips here 🔗 How to Store Oxygen Absorbers Between Uses

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🌟 Final Thoughts

If you want food storage that can sit for decades and still be edible, sealing dry goods in thick mylar with oxygen absorbers is about as good as it gets. I’ve opened bags of black beans 12 years later that cooked like they were fresh.

Stick to the basics, use quality supplies, and label everything. And if you ever second-guess whether you did it right, check out 🔗 Troubleshooting Mylar Storage Fails for a full checklist.

Thanks for stoppin’ by!

Jelly Grandma

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🔗 Recommended Reading:

• How Long Will Beans Last in Mylar with Oxygen Absorbers?
• Best Beans for Long-Term Storage (Nutrition + Shelf Life)
• How to Vacuum Seal Rice and Beans for Storage
• Mylar vs. Plastic Storage for Rice and Beans