Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you click a link and make a purchase. Thanks for supporting PriorityPrepper.com!
If you’re just getting started in food storage, you need to learn about oxygen absorbers and silica gel. They both help you preserve food longer. However, oxygen absorbers and silica gel work in two totally different ways…
So, what’s the difference between oxygen absorbers and silica gel? Which should you be using? Keep reading to find out!
What Are Oxygen Absorbers?
Oxygen absorbers are small packets that contain iron powder — you’ve probably seen them in some of the packaged foods you’ve bought at the grocery store, such as bulk flour and freeze-dried snacks.
The iron powder absorbs oxygen from a sealed environment. This helps preserve food because it deprives organisms of the oxygen they need to survive. When there is no oxygen present, mold, aerobic pathogens, and pests cannot grow.
Note: You might still feel air inside a sealed package that contains an oxygen absorber. This is because only oxygen is absorbed, not the nitrogen and other elements found in the air. However, the oxygen absorber still creates an environment where organisms cannot grow.
Oxygen absorbers were originally developed for NASA in the 1960s to remove excess oxygen from space capsules before launch. Today, they’re also commonly found in emergency preparation kits.
How to Use Oxygen Absorbers
To use oxygen absorbers safely and effectively, they should only be used with DRY foods.
Sure, many dried foods already last a long time, but oxygen absorbers can extend the shelf life up to 30 years when stored in mylar bags, or similar airtight containers. However, increased shelf life is not the only benefit; oxygen absorbers also help preserve vitamins that would ordinarily be diminished by oxygen, they preserve flavor, and they prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
Oxygen absorbers come in various size CCs. They are nontoxic and BPA free, but you should not eat them. A small, 1-quart bag typically only needs one 100cc oxygen absorber, but a 1-gallon bag would need 1-2 300cc oxygen absorbers.
Check out DiscountMylarBags.com for a chart of How Many Oxygen Absorbers to Use.
There are some no-nos, though…
Using oxygen absorbers to package oily foods, or foods with more than 10% moisture content (even if they seem dry) should be avoided due to an increased risk of botulism. In addition, leavening agents, such as baking powder, are not recommended for use with oxygen absorbers as they have the potential to react and cause the container to explode.
When you’re trying to preserve food that contains moisture, that’s where silica gel comes in.
What Is Silica Gel?
Silica gel is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used since the 1950s as a desiccant, or drying agent, due to its ability to adsorb water molecules onto its surface without changing shape or volume. It typically comes in the form of little beads contained in sachets.
Lots of preppers keep silica gel on hand — it has many uses. Silica gel can help dry out a wet cellphone and can also be used to ensure important documents, firearms, ammunition, and tools stay dry while in storage.
The types of food that are typically best stored with silica gel can be anything from nuts, jerky, dried fruits, and veggies to rice and other grains. Sprouting foods, such as onions and potatoes work well too. Silica gel packs are also the best solution for storing sugar and salt, as oxygen absorbers will cause them to go hard and clumpy.
Quick Tip: If you pop a few silica gel packs into a bag of freeze-dried food that has been opened, it will help preserve the texture and increase its shelf life.
So, there you have it! I hope this post was helpful. Please share it with your like-minded, prepper friends.
Also Read: 17 Foods That Last (Almost) Forever
