Do you hate storing dry food without getting the expected results? I know how it feels because I've been there before. Do you want to know how to store dehydrated food to preserve it for the next season?

If yes, you are in the right place. Storing dehydrated food allows you to maintain the vitamin content in your food until the coming season. However, you need to store dry food properly if you want the best result.

In this article, I will emphasize the importance of knowing the different methods of storing dehydrated food. Your storage method will play a vital role in determining the shelf life of your food.

You will find essential principles, commonly used appliances, and practical steps in storing dehydrated food.

So let’s get down to business.

Steps To Storing Dehydrated Food

• Ensure the food is thoroughly dried

• Fully and accurately cool the food

• Do not store warm food, because if it still has moisture, this can lead to mold growth

• Get clean, dry, insect-free, and water-resistant storage containers

• After cooling the dried food, pack it in storage containers

• Seal the storage containers

•  Put the boxes in cold, dry, and dark areas

• Inspect dried food frequently to check if they are still dry

Containers Where Dehydrated Food Are Stored

• Mason jars

• Mylar bags

• Glass jars with lids

• Plastic freezer containers and boxes

• Metal cans

• Vacuum sealing technology

How To Store Dehydrated Food In Different Containers?

1. Mason Jars

I'm sure you have a mason jar or two in the kitchen. You can store all kinds of dehydrated food in mason jars. I would recommend mason jars to store dried food in your kitchen that you may use regularly. Mason jars protect dehydrated food from moisture, insects, sunlight, and other external effects on food. In addition to that, wash and dry these jars properly before storing dehydrated food in them. Remember, any trace of moisture in the mason jar can cause deterioration of your food. Ensure you close the lid tightly after taking out any dehydrated food.

2. Tight-fitting Glass Jars

This is one of the best techniques for storing dehydrated food. If you keep dried food items in glass jars with fitting lids, it can serve as short or long term storage. But a warning: keep glass jars away from direct sunlight, because light can penetrate the products via the glass. Sunlight can decline the quality of your stored food.

3. Mylar bags​

It's needless to say that Mylar bags are a common long term storage choice. These bags come with prefabricated seals, and you can also seal them manually with the use of an iron. Depending on the amount of dehydrated food you want to store, these bags come in different sizes. If you are looking for a long term storage method, this might be the best option.

4. Plastic containers and boxes

You can store dehydrated food in plastic containers. I suggest that you use food-grade plastic to prevent chemicals from contaminating your stored food. Ensure the plastic container you want to use has a tight-fitting lid. If you are storing a small quantity of dried food, use smaller boxes or containers, and vice versa.

5. Vacuum sealing technology​

This is the most expensive method of storing dehydrated food. If cost is not an issue, you can save your dried food very effectively using this technology. But, otherwise, choose any of the other cost-effective methods discussed above.

Advantages Of Using Vacuum Sealing Technology Over Others

You will have to buy a vacuum machine and purchase individual vacuum bags to make it functional. However, this method is advantageous over other mediums of storing dehydrated food. Some of the benefits are discussed below:

• Long shelf life​

It’s an unarguable fact that dehydrated food stored in vacuum machines have a longer shelf life. The vacuum machine removes air from the stored food; this makes it almost impossible for bacteria and mold to breed. Note that eliminating bacteria is not 100%, but a vacuum machine will drastically limit its occurrence.

• Store more and save money​

As discussed above, an extended storage period helps your products stay fresher for a longer period. Buy food in large quantities and store it for future use.

•  More storage space​

Vacuum machines have ample storage space to store your food. This is a massive advantage if you have bulk quantities of products to store.

• Saves Energy​

You can save energy by using vacuum sealing technology. In the sense that you don’t need to extend the freezing capacity, due to the spacious feature of the vacuum machine.

Factors That Affect Storing Dehydrated Food

Some factors affect the longevity of dehydrated food when stored. Can I be candid with you? Even if you apply the best storage techniques without following these factors, you might not get the results you're after.

1. Food quality​

If the quality of the dried food you store is low, the result will not be favorable compared to high quality. This is the bottom line; food items intended for long term storage should be of high quality.

2. Temperature​

The storage temperature should be stable to keep dehydrated food dried. The temperature should be in the correct range and maintained over some time. If you intend to store dehydrated food for the long term, ensure the temperature is cool. The cool temperature will reduce the activeness of molds and bacteria.

3. Moisture

If dehydrated food is exposed to moisture, then mold and bacteria will start breeding on it. After dehydrating your food to store, ensure you don’t let it come in contact with any moisture source again.

4. Oxygen​

The higher the level of oxygen, the higher the rate of deterioration. Ensure you keep oxygen level low to reduce the growth of microbes. The easiest way to remove oxygen is to seal your container or use an airtight lid for jars.

How To Check If Your Dehydrated Food Is In Good Condition?

We have different methods of checking if your dried food is expired; ask yourself the questions listed below:

• Can I see any sign of molds or bacteria?

• Is the smell still the same as when I stored it?

• Is the taste sour, bitter, or original?

Helpful Tip

Another thing that will help you to know if your stored dehydrated food is outdated;

• Use labels

• Write the date of drying

• Imprint the time of packaging

Typical Shelf Life Of Dehydrated Foods

Conclusion

You should now know the importance of storing dehydrated food and how to go about it. Properly storing your dried food makes it possible for you to have the food supply for an extended period. Above all, ensure you follow all steps to achieve long term storage of your dehydrated food. You'll be glad you did.