Comments on: How To: Long Term Food Storage Planning

By: Rudolph

Rudolph — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:08:26 +0000

I’ll have a separate post addressing storage methods soon. This post got really long and I didn’t want to go into too much detail.

I will also post more details about some specific items, like wheat, rice, etc. Including some recipes and whatnot!

By: Striker

Striker — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:37:13 +0000

I’m interested in long, longterm storage of grain. If I have access to large quantities of wheat relatively cheap, do I need to do anything in particular to make sure they last (in the buckets)? You say once properly stored, it lasts up to thirty years. I’d be interested to know more about proper storage.

By: Rudolph

Rudolph — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:14:53 +0000

Flour is good for about a year in a standard store shelf style packaging. You can repackage into a storage container with oxygen absorbers and store in a cool location for about five years. Storing flour even cooler will extend the shelf life longer.

By: Rudolph

Rudolph — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:11:45 +0000

Baking powder has an indefinite shelf life when stored correctly, actually. As with many items in your long term storage keeping it dry and cool is critical for shelf life. Once opened, however, baking powder will last about six months.

I’ve never tried powdered or canned butter. I’ve heard about it but never actually tried it. Sounds like something fun to try sometime!

By: 70s Earthmother

70s Earthmother — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:56:29 +0000

Adrianne, what about storing it in smaller amounts, like one month’s usage, so the container won’t be opened as often? And Rudy, will flour last longer if frozen? At least as long as there’s power for the freezer?

By: 70s Earthmother

70s Earthmother — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:57:34 +0000

another great post, Rudy. I learn lots of new stuff from everything I read here.

By: Adrianne

Adrianne — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:46:50 +0000

Oh and I forgot to ask – I went and bought a 50 pound bag of bread flour the other day. It’s sitting in it’s bag on my kitchen floor – I know it will be about a year before I go through it, do you know if I should just leave it in the bag or should I put it into buckets?

By: Adrianne

Adrianne — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:34:35 +0000

Hi Rudy

OK so I have heard a couple things that maybe you could clarify for me? You say to store baking powder but I heard that it has next to no storage life. How long can I keep it? I was advised to rotate mine every 3-6 months just because it loses it’s effectiveness pretty fast.

Also – have you tried powdered butter? Or canning butter? I haven’t tried either but I’ve heard that canning butter works really well, I’m hesitant to try though.