When it comes to preserving your precious freeze-dried foods, there's more to it than simply sealing them in containers. The secret ingredient that plays a crucial role in keeping your culinary creations fresh and safe is the humble oxygen absorber. These unassuming packets may not look like much, but they wield incredible power in the world of food storage. In this guide, we'll uncover the magic of oxygen absorbers and explore how to use them effectively to safeguard your food.
Humans need oxygen to survive, but when it comes to food storage, oxygen can be the enemy. Here's why:
Enter the oxygen absorber – a small but mighty tool that eliminates these threats by removing the oxygen trapped inside your sealed bags and containers during the packaging process.
When it comes to long-term food storage, there's one golden rule: always use oxygen absorbers. These tiny packets are your allies in the battle against spoilage and deterioration. The key is to use an absorber that is large enough to counteract all the oxygen in the container. It's perfectly fine to go a bit overboard because an excess of oxygen absorbers won't harm your food. However, using too few can be a significant problem.
To check whether an oxygen absorber is still effective, you can feel it. Fresh absorber packets have a granular iron component that feels like coarse sand. When they've done their job and absorbed the oxygen, they transform into a stiff and crunchy state, a result of the iron inside rusting from prolonged exposure to oxygen.
Oxygen absorbers work best when they have the right conditions to do their job effectively. Here are some key considerations:
1. Headspace Matters:2. Always Use the Right Size:
Oxygen absorbers need "headspace" to function optimally. This space allows them to extract oxygen from the atmosphere surrounding the food. To ensure their efficiency, work swiftly when using oxygen absorbers. These little powerhouses start absorbing oxygen immediately once removed from their sealed packaging.
Once you're ready, remove what you need from the oxygen absorber packaging, reseal it quickly, and then place the absorbers in your storage container. Push out any extra air and seal the container promptly. Keep in mind that oxygen absorbers do not remove nitrogen or other gases from the air, so the bag should not appear tightly vacuumed after sealing.
Tip: If you plan to use your freeze-dried food within a short amount of time, such as for your kids' lunch this week, you can skip the oxygen absorber and keep it in a canning jar until use.
Another crucial aspect of proper oxygen absorber usage is selecting the right size. Oxygen absorbers come in various sizes, ranging from 50cc (for a pint) to 2500cc (for 5 gallons). It's essential to match the size of the oxygen absorber to the packaging you are using. Here are some common size recommendations:
Now, you might be wondering about desiccants and whether you should use them alongside oxygen absorbers. Desiccants are moisture absorbers, and they play a crucial role in controlling the moisture content of various products. Silica gel desiccants, in particular, are commonly used for this purpose and are FDA-approved.
However, when it comes to freeze-dried food storage, it's essential to know that desiccants are not to be used. Desiccants, while great for keeping items like medication tablets safe and dry, are not suitable for your freeze-dried culinary creations.
Moreover, never place desiccants and oxygen absorbers in the same food storage container. Some might assume that using both simultaneously would provide an extra layer of protection, but that's not the case. Desiccants remove humidity from food, which is beneficial. However, when moisture is removed, it renders the oxygen absorber ineffective. Oxygen absorbers require a certain level of moisture to efficiently absorb oxygen, and the residual 2-3% moisture left in freeze-dried food is just right.
By following the principles of proper oxygen absorber usage and understanding their role in protecting your food, you can ensure that your culinary creations remain delectable and safe to consume.
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