How to recover freeze dried foods, to go back into long term storage!
I had food stored in a storm cellar, that was cracked into by a raccoon, AKA masked thief. What they couldn't eat, they shredded; and I lost thousands of dollars of prepping supplies!
This did two things; first they moved to my shoot on sight list, and second I need to recover what supplies were not destroyed.
I found this can of freeze dried chicken fettuccine that was rusted:
When they are rusted like this, with care you have a good chance of recovering the food inside!
The lid must be cleaned of rust first. I use steel wool. Then I wipe it with a wet wipe. Obviously the can opener is next, with lid removal.
The inside surface should be undamaged:
Be sure to look under the lid for damage too.
If it passes inspection, the fun begins!
Use a convenient mason jar, or jars; to hold the product inside. Using a canning funnel will help avoid spills!
You can use an oxygen absorber in each jar, but I prefer vacuum packaging. I use the vacuum adapters that go over a jar and sealing lid without a ring; and apply a Hard vacuum using a refrigeration pump! Once sealed with this hard a vacuum, there is no chance that moisture will compromise the contents.
They look much better after processing!
Remember to label them well, so you don't have to try to guess later! Here they are, ready for storage....
BTW, if you agitate the oxygen absorber from the can just opened; it will actually get warm, as a final check on a good can seal.
Glass jars are my favorite food storage container. The only drawback to them is that they can be broken.
I like them too, because after they are emptied, they can be reused many times. The only limit (if they aren't broken) is the lids, and I've been moving to tattler reusable canning lids, which solves this problem. A wooden strap across the front of the shelf, reduces the chance of breakage!
But with a hard vacuum, they are impressive! Using a refrigeration vacuum pump, the vacuum is about twice the vacuum most kitchen pumps provide.
Stay safe!
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Good ol' Mason jars. They've been around forever and are still the best! I have hundreds of them and there is no reason to alter this technology!
I will continue to buy them as long as I can find them! I can pressure can in them, ferment, store kitchen cooking supplies, and vacuum seal dry ingredients; all in the same container!🥛🥛🥛
This is calico beans, vacuum sealed for food, and seeds if needed:
I found 100 quart jars at a country store recently, and bought them all! My goal is 2000 jars, and I'm over half way there.
Keep on prepping my friend, Be blessed!
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