How to Store Dehydrated Food With a Seal-a-Meal Oxygen Absorber

Dehydrate, vacuum pack and freeze vegetables for years of freshness.

Dehydrated food will stay fresh and safe as long as it stays completely dry, according to the Oregon State University Extension Service. Many backpackers other outdoor enthusiasts invest in vacuum sealers to make sure their dried beef, vegetables and noodles stay dry. The Seal-a-Meal is an example of a vacuum packing system, drawing oxygen from around food in a specially designed plastic bag and then sealing it.

Things You'll Need

• Dehydrated food
• Seal-a-Meal sealer
• Seal-a-Meal bag

Instructions

Bag

1. Place the dehydrated food into a Seal-a-Meal bag. Leave 3 inches between the food and the top of the bag to allow the bag to shrink up with vacuum sealing.

2. Open the sealer lid, and tuck the open end of the bag into the drip tray. Close the lid.

3. Choose the right seal level. Seal dry foods on Regular.

Seal

1. Press firmly on the lid and keep up the pressure there. This starts the motor. When the Hands-Free Indicator Light shines, take your hands from the lid. The sealer will continue to draw oxygen from the bag.

2. Pressing the Open/Cancel button mid-cycle will open the lid and stop the sealing process.

3. When the motor stops and the Progress Indicator Lights go out, the bag has been successfully sealed. Press the Open/Cancel button, lift the lid and take out the bag.

Store

1. Keep the average temperature for the storage area above 32 degrees and below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooler the storage area, the longer the dehydrated food will keep its taste and nutritional value. Freezing or refrigeration is recommended.

2. Store the bags on shelves, off the floor. Keep the area dry and well-ventilated to prevent condensation from forming on the packaging.

3. Create a dark environment. Darkness prevents light from fading the color of fruits and vegetables, decreasing the Vitamin A content.

Tips & Warnings

• An undehydrated steak in a conventional bag, frozen but not vacuum-sealed, lasts six to 12 months. A steak sealed in the Seal a Meal system and frozen lasts two to three years.

• Discard dehydrated food after a year to guarantee you're eating the best-quality food.

• The sealer is not for commercial use, so wait at least 25 minutes between every set of 30 bags or containers you seal. Also, allow the sealer to cool down at least 20 seconds between cycles.

References

• Oregon State: Food Storage for Emergencies
• Seal-a-Meal VS230 Manual

Resources

• Seal-a-Meal homepage