When storing food, is it desirable to include a desiccant pack in the container? Are the packs readily available in a retail outlet?

I managed to locate two possible sources of desiccants:

http://www.uniteddesiccants.com

and another that can be reached at

desiccant@desiccare.com

Replies would be appreciated!

-- Ken Davis (kendavis@lookingglass.net), August 25, 1998

Answers

Ken,

1. The desiccant is used to dry foods before they are packed. Usually it is removed when the food is packed. (Example below)

2. Silica gel can be found in Walmart craft departments. It's used for dried flower work. I paid about $9 for a big container.

3. My first project was drying seed before freezing them. I first baked the dessicant to remove any accumulated moisture. I put the dessicant in canning jars, put the seed (still in packets) into the jars, and sealed them. After about 4 days I tooks the seeds out, put them back into jars, with new lids, sealed them and tossed them in the freezer. I rebaked the dessicant (it has tracer chemicals.....nice and blue when dry, white when it soaks up moisture.

4. There are only a few things you have to worry about drying. Generally you want foods down to about 10% moisture level. Wheat may need drying, rice probably doesn't.

5. If you're working with grains, etc., you might want to put oxygen absorbers in the container before sealing. The dessicant isn't needed.

hope this helps

-- food_packer (joe@blow.com), August 25, 1998.

see -- http://www.survival-center.com/foodfaq/index.htm for all the info yopu want (and more) about packing food for storage.

-- food_packer (joe@blow.com), August 25, 1998.

Thanks!!! An excellent resourse!!! Anyone interested in food storage should go to the aformentioned address.

-- Ken Davis (kendavis@lookingglass.net), August 25, 1998.