5 and 6 Gallon Mylar Bags
1.5 Gallon Mylar Bags
Half Gallon Mylar Bags
Mylar Bags for Food Storage
Mylar bags used in food storage have revolutionized the way food is stored long-term. The main factors that affect food in long-term storage are heat, light, moisture, oxygen, and rodents. Mylar bags help protect your food against all of these, although they do not replace a proper food storage container like food grade storage buckets. And when mylar bags are used in conjunction with our food grade storage buckets and oxygen absorbers, you are using the best storing solutions available (we have found) to keep food safe for many years to come.
How do I Use Mylar Bags in Food Storage?
Mylar Bags create a barrier between your food and the environment. Mylar bags are used to line food grade buckets and containers and with the necessary oxygen absorbers present allow your food investment to be stored in the best possible condition. Mylar bags can be sealed with an ordinary clothes iron. We have designed all of our mylar bags to be heat sealed including our ziplock bags and stand-up pouch bags. This is as simple as selecting the size of mylar bags, buckets, and absorbers based on the food type and how much you will be storing at a time. After opening the mylar bag in the food-grade container, place the food in the bag, add the appropriate number of oxygen absorbers, heat seal the top shut, package and label the container. For more in-depth instructions, please see our detailed guide on packing your own food storage.
How Our Mylar Bags Differ
We design and have manufactured our own bags. This means that we control all elements of their quality from start to finish. For over twenty years now we have been offering mylar bags as a proven solution for long-term food storage. Our mylar bags are a minimum 5 mils thick and have a complete aluminum foil layer core (.00035). We produce mylar bags that are not simply sprayed-on metalized polyester that other manufacturers produce. We ship our mylar bags flat, folded once or hand-rolled wrapped in food-grade plastic and never double fold our bags. Shipping double folded bags can weaken and even puncture the aluminum layer and defeats their purpose. All of our mylar bags use FDA and USDA compliant liner material for safe food contact. Please note that with the exception of the 18″ x 28″ bag, all of our smaller ziplock bags are a pouch style and can stand up on end.
You’ve invested in the very best food for your family, shouldn’t you store your food in the very best mylar bags on the market?
Mylar bags for food storage: What they are and how to use them for long-term food storage
Mylar bags for food storage are heat-seal bags used to package dry foods for long-term food preservation. Once sealed, they protect food from oxygen, humidity, and light.
For best results, we recommend following this simple process. Fill the Mylar bag with dry food, add oxygen absorbers, heat seal the top, and place the sealed bag inside a rigid container such as a food storage bucket or tote. Storing food grade Mylar bags in buckets or totes prevents punctures and pests.
When Mylar Bags Make Sense
These bags are well suited for storing dry staples like rice, beans, pasta, oats, and flour. They also work well as bucket liners for bulk storage in 5–6 gallon buckets, and for portioning bulk foods into smaller sizes so they are easier to rotate and use after opening.
When Mylar Bags Are Not a Good Fit
Mylar bags are not ideal for high-moisture foods because moisture can cause spoilage inside a sealed package. High-fat foods can also go rancid faster over time, so they typically need shorter rotation. Long-term storage without a rigid outer container, like food storage buckets or totes, increases the risk of punctures, crushing, or pest damage.
Benefits of Mylar Bags for Long-Term Food Storage with Oxygen Absorbers
A sealed Mylar bag creates a barrier between the food and the outside environment. When you heat seal the bag and add oxygen absorbers, you reduce oxygen inside the package. The lack of oxygen helps slow flavor and texture changes over time and supports longer storage for most dry staples.
Opaque Mylar bags are useful for blocking light. This matters because light exposure can degrade food quality, especially when food is stored in clear bins or in areas with regular indoor lighting.
A sealed bag limits outside humidity from moving in and out of the package. Mylar does not remove existing moisture, so it is important to use dry foods and create airtight seals. For long-term food storage, Mylar bags are often used alongside buckets because Mylar is a protective barrier, not a hard shell.
Mylar Bag Size Chart: How to Choose the Right Mylar Bag Size
Choose a bag size based on how much food you will use at one time and how you plan to store it. Smaller bags make it easier to rotate your food supply because you are only opening a small amount at a time, while larger bags make more sense for bulk storage in buckets.
We offer both standard heat-seal bags and ziplock-style bags. For better long-term storage, both formats should be heat sealed. The zip feature works best for bags you plan to open and reseal for regular pantry use.
A Practical Size Guide (By Use Case and Bag Volume)
| Bag Size | Standard Bag Dimensions | Ziplock Bag Dimensions | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 gallon | 18" x 28" | 18" x 28" | Bucket liner for bulk dry staples; fewer, larger packages |
| 6 gallon | 20" x 30" | Not listed on this page | Bucket liner with extra room for filling and sealing |
| 2 gallon | 14" x 20" | 14" x 18" x 6" | Larger pantry portions |
| 1.5 gallon | 12" x 18" | 12" x 16" x 6" | Medium portions for grains, beans, pasta |
| 1 gallon | 10" x 16" | 10" x 14" x 4" | Frequent-use portions |
| Half gallon | 8" x 14" | 8" x 12" x 4" | Smaller portions for rotation |
| Pint | 6" x 10" | 6" x 8" x 2" | Small portions and pantry organization |
If you are wondering “What size Mylar bag should I use for a 5 gallon bucket?” start with 18" x 28". For more room to fill and seal, a 20" x 30" bag is a common choice when lining a 6 gallon bucket. If you are unsure between two pantry sizes, choose the smaller bag to reduce the risk of food sitting open too long.
Mylar bag thickness guide: What “mil” means and why the foil layer matters
Mil is a thickness measurement. One mil equals one thousandth of an inch. Thickness affects how the bag holds up during filling, sealing, and storage. Thicker bags are more resistant to punctures and pinholes, especially with sharp-edged foods or when bags shift inside buckets over time.
Small damage matters. A pinhole can let air move in and out, which reduces the benefit of oxygen absorbers and can shorten storage life. To avoid this, start with 5 mil Mylar bags for long-term storage and choose thicker options for frequent handling or large bucket liners. If you are comparing 5 mil vs 7 mil Mylar bags, the main difference is their durability and resistance to pinholes during handling.
Material construction also affects performance. A true foil-layer barrier bag uses an aluminum foil layer to block light and reduce oxygen transfer. Metallized film bags can look similar, but their construction is different. For reliable long-term food storage, we recommend choosing a bag built to resist pinholes and maintain a consistent heat seal.
It is important to remember that hard creases can create weak points. Handle bags gently before sealing and avoid sharp folds.
How to use Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers: Sealing with a heat sealer, iron, or hair straightener
Food grade Mylar bags work best when you seal them quickly after opening the oxygen absorbers. To speed up the process, set up your work area in advance so the absorbers are not sitting out while you prep bags.
It is recommended to only use Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers for dry foods. If the food feels damp, clumps easily, or has been open in a humid area, dry it first or use a different storage method to prevent spoilage.
Gather Tools and Set Up Your Sealing Area
Before you begin, have bags, oxygen absorbers, a heat source for sealing, and a marker ready. An impulse sealer is the simplest option, but you can also seal Mylar bags with an iron or a hair straightener. Use a firm, flat surface under the seal area so the seal is even.
Fill the Bag with Dry Food and leave space for sealing
Pour the food into the bag and settle it gently. Leave a few inches of headspace so the seal area stays clean and flat. Keep food dust out of the seal zone.
Add Oxygen Absorbers at the end
Only open the absorber pack when you are ready to start sealing. Add the correct amount to each bag, then seal the bag promptly. If oxygen absorbers sit out in the open air for too long, usually more than 15 to 30 minutes, they start reacting with the air and lose their ability to protect your food. If you open more absorbers than you need, seal the extras in an airtight container right away.
Press Out Excess Air and flatten the seal area
Press out extra air, then smooth the top edge of the bag so there are no wrinkles where the seal will go. This step is important because wrinkles and debris in the seal often cause leaks.
Heat seal the bag with a straight, continuous seal
Seal across the top in one steady pass, then give it time to cool down. Creating a second seal above the first is a simple way to add a backup layer of protection. If you are using a ziplock-style bag, placing a heat seal above the zipper benefits long-term storage.
Check the seal and allow time for the bag to tighten
After the seal cools, tug lightly to verify it is closed properly. It is normal for the bag to tighten over the next several hours as oxygen is removed. Dense foods do not always look vacuum packed, so focus on seal quality.
Label and store inside a rigid container
Label the bag, then place it in a bucket or tote to protect against punctures and pests. Store in a cool, dry, dark place.
Oxygen absorber size chart: How many oxygen absorbers do you need
Oxygen absorbers soak up the air trapped in the bag once you seal it. Dense foods like wheat, flour, grains, and rice settle tightly, leaving less open space and trapping less air. Foods with more void space, like pasta and beans, trap more air between pieces. That is why the same bag size often requires a higher oxygen absorber capacity for pasta or beans than for rice or flour.
Use the chart below as a guide for total oxygen absorber capacity (cc) by bag size and food type.
| Bag Size | Best Match | Dense Foods Capacity | Less Dense Foods Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 gallon / 5 gallon | Bucket liners | ~2,000 cc | ~2,500–3,000 cc |
| 2 gallon | Larger pantry portions | ~1,000 cc | ~1,500–2,000 cc |
| 1.5 gallon | Medium portions | ~500–800 cc | ~1,000–1,200 cc |
| 1 gallon | Frequent-use portions | ~300–400 cc | ~400 cc |
| 1/2 gallon | Small portions | ~100–200 cc | ~200–400 cc |
| Pint size | Single-use items | ~100 cc | ~100–200 cc |
Use these targets to help you choose the right packet sizes to reach the total capacity you need. Seal promptly and cleanly so outside air cannot leak back in.
Storage best practices after sealing (temperature, buckets, labeling, pest protection)
After sealing, protect the bag from heat and physical damage. Store sealed bags in a cool, dry, dark location. Avoid garages, attics, sheds, and other spaces with large temperature swings because heat can shorten storage life over time.
Use buckets or heavy-duty totes for better protection. A rigid container reduces punctures, crushing, and pest damage. Avoid overstuffing, which can stress seams and make sealing harder.
Label each bag right after sealing. A simple label is enough:
- Food name
- Packed date
- Bag size
- “Use first” date (for rotation)
- Oxygen absorber total (optional)
Rodents can chew through materials, and Mylar is not rodent-proof by itself. Keeping sealed bags in lidded containers and storing them off the floor helps reduce risk.
Shelf-life expectations: How long can food last in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers
Shelf life depends on the food type, moisture level, oxygen removal, seal quality, and storage temperature. Dry, low-fat foods usually last longer than higher-fat foods. Use the table below as planning ranges, then rotate shorter-life foods more often.
| Food Type | Expected Storage Life | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hard grains | 10–12 years | Heat shortens storage life |
| Soft grains | ~8 years | Quality declines sooner |
| White rice | 8–10 years | Stores longer than brown rice |
| Brown rice | 1–2 years | Higher fat content |
| Dry beans | 8–10 years | Texture changes over time |
| Pasta | 8–10 years | Must stay dry |
| Flour | ~5 years | Ground foods decline faster |
| Dehydrated vegetables | 8–10 years | Needs very dry storage |
| Dehydrated dairy | ~15 years | Stores well when oxygen is removed |
| Honey, salt, sugar | Indefinite | Moisture is the main risk |
Cooler storage can extend these ranges, while warmer storage shortens them, even when packaging is done correctly.
What’s different about USA Emergency Supply Mylar bags: foil layer, 5 mil minimum, and food-safe materials
At USA Emergency Supply, we have been designing and manufacturing our own food grade Mylar bags for over 20 years. Our approach ensures consistency in materials and construction across sizes and batches.
Our bags are made with an aluminum foil layer and are a minimum of 5 mil thick. Their thickness helps reduce punctures, and the foil-layer barrier helps block light and support low-oxygen storage when sealed correctly.
Our shipping process is designed to promote better food storage practices. We do not ship bags double folded, which helps reduce sharp creases that can create weak points. We line our Mylar bags with material that is both FDA and USDA compliant for food contact.