Vacuum Sealing for Long-Term Food Storage

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Sealing your food can also be used in conjunction with other storage methods. For example, you can vacuum seal dry goods and then as an additional barrier, seal the vacuum packed goods in a heavy duty Mylar bag. See an instructional video here. Many preppers also use vacuum sealed pouches to make smaller and more usable food storage amounts and then store it into 5 gallon pails with a gamma lid. This way, all they need to do is unscrew the lid, reach in and grab the desired amount of food stuff and then screw the lid back on. Another way to store food using vacuum sealed foods is in the freezer. Freezer burn is eliminated, because foods no longer become dehydrated from contact with cold, dry air.


  • Vacuum sealing conserves space for food storage.
  • Insect infestation is eliminated due to a low oxygen environment.
  • Seal dehydrated foods and dried herbs for longer term storage.


As effective as this food storage method is, it is not without its downside. The most serious mark against this storage method is that if you are storing perishable items, there are dangerous bacteriaassociated with vacuum sealing perishable goods.

Another downside to vacuum sealing is the bags are not completely impervious to air, so after a couple years, they begin to leak. When leaks occur, the opened seals allow oxygen, insects and other enemies of your food to enter. However, if you plan to use the barrier method when storing your food, then you are taking added precautions to prevent this from occurring.


Storing Vacuum Sealed Foods for Long Term Use






To conclude, vacuum sealing your food and non-food preps is an economical and extremely effective way to save money and maintain a varied food pantry. Further, it can be used in conjunction with other food storage methods, thus creating a multi-barrier system for added protection from natural elements. If you plan to use this method, be sure that you follow the suggested ways to protect your food.


Delivered by The Daily Sheeple


Contributed by Tess Pennington of Ready Nutrition.

  • Allen

    I see nothing mentioned here about using canning jars and a vacume sealer. We store our sugar, powdered milk and other items in glass jars and use a vacume sealer with attachment to evacuate the oxygen.

  • Its pretty awesome to do this, but the thing that’s bad is when restaurants start doing this to cut costs. Then its just gross.

  • Ed Mithe

    I use my sealer all the time. I save empty soda bottles, mostly 2 LTR bottles fill them with rice, beans what ever…I tape the lid on without screwing it down then I suck all air out and seal. Then I go to Sam’s, I get empty icing buckets from the bakery, wash them out then place the newly sealed items into the buckets, I put the lid on, then I put tape around the lid edge and a list of the contents on the side then store. I fill these buckets with can foods as well and seal, So in short, my sealer with buckets makes for great preps.