I'm moving so I cracked open some 13 yr old preps.
Feb 6, 2024 11:48:17 GMT 10
SA Hunter, blueshoes, and 1 more like this
Post by shinester on Feb 6, 2024 11:48:17 GMT 10
I was looking through my long term stored preps as I was moving. Things of note.
Age 13 years - stored in buckets with a lid, in a shed so fluctuating temperatures, not otherwise sealed.
Age 13 years - stored in buckets with a lid, in a shed so fluctuating temperatures, not otherwise sealed.
Cans - most were ok, the insides of pineapple smelt, looked and tasted much the same. Some rusted or opened up created a terrible black mess.
Rice - whilst I didn't cook it to find out, it was in good shape, looked identical to new rice.
Rice - whilst I didn't cook it to find out, it was in good shape, looked identical to new rice.
Beans - bean soup mixes etc. - all in good condition, looked the same, unsure of taste as wasn't cooked.
Flour - fine, no discoloration, looked much the same.
Flour - fine, no discoloration, looked much the same.
Rolled oats - seemed to be exactly like new.
Chicken in cans - looked/smelled fine.
Pasta - perfect.
Chicken in cans - looked/smelled fine.
Pasta - perfect.
Vinegar - perfect
Unopened vegetable oil - that was a surprise as it didn't smell rancid as I was expecting. I would trust ghee more though as it is solid.
Worcestershire sauce - perfect
Soy sauce - perfect.
Worcestershire sauce - perfect
Soy sauce - perfect.
There were various things like toilet paper, razors etc that I also included that were ok so long as no moisture was introduced from split cans.
Age 11 years
Age 11 years
Ghee - I've been using my old stores up of it whilst cooking. No issues at all, still tastes like new.
Seeds - I stored them in the fridge for this time and upon testing germination I did get some though not like newer seeds.
Age 4 years
Cough-v preps
Seeds - I stored them in the fridge for this time and upon testing germination I did get some though not like newer seeds.
Age 4 years
Cough-v preps
Rice - all good
Pasta - all good
Pressure canning meals
All good - I have had an occasional faulty seal with mason jars, none with using normal pasta jars with the silicone rim under the lid.
In conclusion.
Whilst I took the advice that was around for long term storage at the time, its hard to know that the person giving the advice had good advice themselves, so in testing and experience, the evidence is clear. I am quite confident that my food stores are good. I do keep a slightly larger pantry though I don't see a reason to store 'normal foods' in excess anymore, it's just too much work, rotating and keeping track of it all, when your long term storage foods would suffice in a situation. I will replace some things such as seeds as they have lost their potency over the 10+ years and will refrigerate my next batch and rotate them every 5 years or so to be sure.
Easy 13+ years
Pasta, rice, beans, cans, rolled oats, flour, ghee, vinegar and vinegar based sauces.
10 years
Pasta sauce, oil.
Pressure canning meals
All good - I have had an occasional faulty seal with mason jars, none with using normal pasta jars with the silicone rim under the lid.
In conclusion.
Whilst I took the advice that was around for long term storage at the time, its hard to know that the person giving the advice had good advice themselves, so in testing and experience, the evidence is clear. I am quite confident that my food stores are good. I do keep a slightly larger pantry though I don't see a reason to store 'normal foods' in excess anymore, it's just too much work, rotating and keeping track of it all, when your long term storage foods would suffice in a situation. I will replace some things such as seeds as they have lost their potency over the 10+ years and will refrigerate my next batch and rotate them every 5 years or so to be sure.
Easy 13+ years
Pasta, rice, beans, cans, rolled oats, flour, ghee, vinegar and vinegar based sauces.
10 years
Pasta sauce, oil.
