Food storage

[Fireinfolding]

Here is 3 ideas I am doing right now (thought I would add these here in one post)

1. Homemade desiccant packets
2. Homemade freezer packs
3. Homemade deodorant stone spray


1. Homemade desiccant packets (or moisture absobers)

These are way way cheaper to make yourself then to buy those little packets of this stuff, besides the fact that you can recharge them (which means they are reusable again and again) by either putting them in your dehydrater or the oven on a lower temp (around 200 degrees or so) for a couple of hours (which dries them out so you can reuse them).

You can just look up home made desiccant packets because you can also make it out of sheet rock (make sure you remove the paper) and bake it for an hour (then set aside in a mason jar for later use). That might even be easier to do without buying it if you have any of it around. Then there is this kitty litter called "Amazing cat litter" (which gives you like 8 lbs worth for $21) which is the pure silicagel (you can use that as well) and its also a better deal.

When searching youtube I ran across vides of guys making these for their long term ammo cans over there.

I would have never imagined

I got this one here ( just so you can see which one I bought)

However large or small you make them would depend on what you are using them for, and you can use coffee filters and make your own packets. You would have to fold it up (add what you need) and then either add a small piece of tape or staple it so the beads dont come out. I am taking one oxygen absorber and a homemade pack of this and adding it into our mason jar spices. The oxygen absorbers do a really good job by themselves, adding these couldnt hurt.

Especially here in the South, the humidity is so bad, can makes your spices clump sometimes, so this could sure help.

Its cheaper in bulk and is reusable (and so worth it)

---------------------

2. Homemade Freezer packs

My husband uses these, so I thought it was a good idea. I went back and picked the shortest vid on these 1 minute and 14 seconds (and this one has two ways to make these freezer packets) and then when you are finished with the way they can still be used for something else (I like that sort of thing).

---------------------

3. Homemade deodorant stone spray

I got some excellent mileage out of this deodorant stone, its a killer deodorant I love that it works so well (I had purchased the 4.25 ounce stone) not the smaller

My husband wasnt crazy about using a stone but I asked him to just test the spray for me to see how well it worked for him (and he did)

This is the 8 ounce spray

He couldnt believe it, he goes to the gym every morning and runs all day delivering packages and so he can really put something like this to the test and he did and he ended up really liking the spray. And he is a roll it on fella, but whatever works.

Then I thought, "great, this is not going to last all year" (not for him) and so getting him to actually like this form of the stone was somewhat counterproductive to my purpose (or so I thought) but then I got thinking, why not make the spray? Its only purified water (I used distilled water) and mineral salt (which is what the slowly dissolving stone is anyway). And I had what was left of mine (just to test it) and just letting sit it in the water will cause it to dssolve (as it would in use) but a bit faster in water that way and impart its properties into the water to be used as a spray.

I checked online to see if anyone else thought of this and a few have actually , one woman did the plain water and stone (but did not keep the stone in nearly long enough) she sort of swirled it around (and pulled it out). The other one was adding all sorts of lose salts, alcohols (which hazel) and essential oils (in a pretty bottles) and thats just not my style, I'm fine keeping the bottle it come with and the no fancy stuff.

The simpler and least ingredients is right up my alley)

Take a mason Jar

Fill it just under the rim with purified (I used distilled water)

Then I dropped what was left of my stone (which I got a year and a half out worth of mileage from it and its still useful).

I ended up making 2 quarts out of it. Which could actually refill his 8 ounce spray bottle 4 times.

So Im thinking (with the orginal bottle he has now) which is actually good to get first (not just for a spray bottle itself) but also to use as a test between the homemade to see when you have gotten it just right.

Im thinking he could get just under six months out of it, I am not sure though, time will tell, but when I see how long the first bottle lasts him I can probably get a much better idea.

How easy and cheap is that? Making 2 quarts more of from a $5 stone which was actually left over after getting a year and a half worth of use out of it.

I thought these could be economical and useful to someone.

 

[MrJim]

Here is 3 ideas I am doing right now (thought I would add these here in one post)

1. Homemade desiccant packets
2. Homemade freezer packs
3. Homemade deodorant stone spray


1. Homemade desiccant packets (or moisture absobers)

These are way way cheaper to make yourself then to buy those little packets of this stuff, besides the fact that you can recharge them (which means they are reusable again and again) by either putting them in your dehydrater or the oven on a lower temp (around 200 degrees or so) for a couple of hours (which dries them out so you can reuse them).

You can just look up home made desiccant packets because you can also make it out of sheet rock (make sure you remove the paper) and bake it for an hour (then set aside in a mason jar for later use). That might even be easier to do without buying it if you have any of it around. Then there is this kitty litter called "Amazing cat litter" (which gives you like 8 lbs worth for $21) which is the pure silicagel (you can use that as well) and its also a better deal.

When searching youtube I ran across vides of guys making these for their long term ammo cans over there.

I would have never imagined

I got this one here ( just so you can see which one I bought)

However large or small you make them would depend on what you are using them for, and you can use coffee filters and make your own packets. You would have to fold it up (add what you need) and then either add a small piece of tape or staple it so the beads dont come out. I am taking one oxygen absorber and a homemade pack of this and adding it into our mason jar spices. The oxygen absorbers do a really good job by themselves, adding these couldnt hurt.

Especially here in the South, the humidity is so bad, can makes your spices clump sometimes, so this could sure help.

Its cheaper in bulk and is reusable (and so worth it)

---------------------

2. Homemade Freezer packs

My husband uses these, so I thought it was a good idea. I went back and picked the shortest vid on these 1 minute and 14 seconds (and this one has two ways to make these freezer packets) and then when you are finished with the way they can still be used for something else (I like that sort of thing).

---------------------

3. Homemade deodorant stone spray

I got some excellent mileage out of this deodorant stone, its a killer deodorant I love that it works so well (I had purchased the 4.25 ounce stone) not the smaller

My husband wasnt crazy about using a stone but I asked him to just test the spray for me to see how well it worked for him (and he did)

This is the 8 ounce spray

He couldnt believe it, he goes to the gym every morning and runs all day delivering packages and so he can really put something like this to the test and he did and he ended up really liking the spray. And he is a roll it on fella, but whatever works.

Then I thought, "great, this is not going to last all year" (not for him) and so getting him to actually like this form of the stone was somewhat counterproductive to my purpose (or so I thought) but then I got thinking, why not make the spray? Its only purified water (I used distilled water) and mineral salt (which is what the slowly dissolving stone is anyway). And I had what was left of mine (just to test it) and just letting sit it in the water will cause it to dssolve (as it would in use) but a bit faster in water that way and impart its properties into the water to be used as a spray.

I checked online to see if anyone else thought of this and a few have actually , one woman did the plain water and stone (but did not keep the stone in nearly long enough) she sort of swirled it around (and pulled it out). The other one was adding all sorts of lose salts, alcohols (which hazel) and essential oils (in a pretty bottles) and thats just not my style, I'm fine keeping the bottle it come with and the no fancy stuff.

The simpler and least ingredients is right up my alley)

Take a mason Jar

Fill it just under the rim with purified (I used distilled water)

Then I dropped what was left of my stone (which I got a year and a half out worth of mileage from it and its still useful).

I ended up making 2 quarts out of it. Which could actually refill his 8 ounce spray bottle 4 times.

So Im thinking (with the orginal bottle he has now) which is actually good to get first (not just for a spray bottle itself) but also to use as a test between the homemade to see when you have gotten it just right.

Im thinking he could get just under six months out of it, I am not sure though, time will tell, but when I see how long the first bottle lasts him I can probably get a much better idea.

How easy and cheap is that? Making 2 quarts more of from a $5 stone which was actually left over after getting a year and a half worth of use out of it.

I thought these could be economical and useful to someone.

Might be the best post on the internet~~so much here to work with~thank you!

When I checked Amazon on the deodorant stone there was a complaint by many about how it's made in China now and not as good as when it was Thailand...any input here?

 

[Fireinfolding]

Might be the best post on the internet~~so much here to work with~thank you!

Thanks Bro, that was sweet, I love doing stuff like that (little experiments) its fun

God bless

 

[Fireinfolding]

When I checked Amazon on the deodorant stone there was a complaint by many about how it's made in China now and not as good as when it was Thailand...any input here?

I cant say, I had bought five of them which is basically enough deodorant for the next 5-8 years of my life (if I live that long).

Out of 583 41/2 star reviewers you key in on that one negative one star screaming China? LOL

There is a cult of "its made in China" ( one star) the product is not made here haters. Just browse every product made by China, there are "made in China" screamers (as I call them).

Id rather buy whats made in the U.S but I will be honest I dont always bother looking because my head is often at two places at the same time.

You could buy a few different ones, I havent had any trouble.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Heres one thing that actually failed this evening, I had been wanting to see if powdered vinegar could be substituted for the liquid vinegar in making cheese (only because it takes up less room then the gallon jugs). You can typically add in vinegar (or lemon) when it gets to a certain tempt but this vinegar powder stuff didnt work for me.

Then I tried to redeem it with real vinegar after I saw that no curds were forming and a fee formed but when I tasted the curd it was too vinegary I put too much in between them both.

That bit the dust. I will lose the idea of keeping any of that and stick with citric acid for the dry.

I have been wondering about this for a year I just never tried it till tonight (in case others wondered). Maybe someone else might have some better luck with it.

 

[MrJim]

I cant say, I had bought five of them which is basically enough deodorant for the next 5-8 years of my life (if I live that long).

Out of 583 41/2 star reviewers you key in on that one negative one star screaming China? LOL

There is a cult of "its made in China" ( one star) the product is not made here haters. Just browse every product made by China, there are "made in China" screamers (as I call them).

Id rather buy whats made in the U.S but I will be honest I dont always bother looking because my head is often at two places at the same time.

You could buy a few different ones, I havent had any trouble.

Yeah OK I'm odd that way

 

[MrJim]

Heres one thing that actually failed this evening, I had been wanting to see if powdered vinegar could be substituted for the liquid vinegar in making cheese (only because it takes up less room then the gallon jugs). You can typically add in vinegar (or lemon) when it gets to a certain tempt but this vinegar powder stuff didnt work for me.

Then I tried to redeem it with real vinegar after I saw that no curds were forming and a fee formed but when I tasted the curd it was too vinegary I put too much in between them both.

That bit the dust. I will lose the idea of keeping any of that and stick with citric acid for the dry.

I have been wondering about this for a year I just never tried it till tonight (in case others wondered). Maybe someone else might have some better luck with it.

Well I've never heard of powdered vinegar until this moment..the education continues!

 

[MrJim]

Thanks Bro, that was sweet, I love doing stuff like that (little experiments) its fun

God bless

My order of that silica kitty litter arrives tomorrow...going to try it out as kitty litter and make desiccant packs

 

[Goodbook]

Silica? Yes they put in dried silica in foodstuffs packaging to absorb the moisture. Beware its poison though, dont eat it.

I think vaccum packing can be a good way to preserve food, you can get those vaccum pack sealers. I dont do this myself, just a suggestion. But you need a good pair of scissors handy to cut those packs open.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Hey MrJim, let me know how it works out for you, I must admit I hate making the packets (thats a pain) so I was thinking, "why just use coffee filters why not tea bags"? Unless there is a reason for it that I dont know? So I went and ordered empty tea bags (3 packs of 100) but even that seemed like common sense to do, so there could be a reason not to? I dont know but one things for sure when removing the silica pack (in tea bags) to recharge (and cant replace the bag itself just dont confuse your cayenne pepper tea bag holder with your potato flakes silica tea bag

And I loved the idea of powdered vinegar, my husband loves vinegar potato chips and that works, and they have malt vinegar powder that works on fries, ever hear of malt vinegar fries? My husband used to love those at kerns market up north, cant find those here where we are, so I starting making them.

I am just as new to alot of these powdered things and I am in love with the whole idea.

Yeah, look up things like balsamic vinegar powder, apple cider vinegar powder, porcinni (mushroom) powder, worcestershire powder, au jus, powder, soy powder, honey powder, maple syrup powder, molasses powder, tomato powder etc etc its sort of endless, and alot of those work perfectly in cooking, and baking and a few not so much, or rather, at least not so much in the areas where you are looking for a reaction between (like cheese making) to separate the curds and whey (so to have cheese)

So I was always curious bout that vinegar powder (for the reaction thing alone) but it wouldnt be that big of a deal, (instead of using bottled liquid lemon or vinegar) I'll just stay with the citric acid (which is granulated in form). And citric acid takes very little for the effect but its always nice to have a second longer term option that isnt bulky (taking up too much room) or require refrigeration (after opening) since we like pizza and its so cheap but its the cheese that really makes it.

I tried the freeze dried cheeses and I am not particularly partial to the freeze dried cheeses, they are way too pricey especially for what you are getting taste wise. Might as well cut (*out*) cheese althogether (but I am trying to find a way around that). So I was curious whether I could get this one to work through the powdered milks (as I could get the liquid vinegar to do so) I did add the third cup of oil late, so maybe I should try it again to be more sure. Im always looking for people online that experiment with weird stuff and it working to save us a buck where you can save one.

But I dont have anything other than oxygen absorbers in the mason jars with my powders and they are doing fine. FreeinChrist uses those powdered lemon packs too, I have them but havent really used them, but I did open one up (stored outside a mason jar) after some time had passed which showed discoloured crystalization, but I have had this last bunch in a mason jar with an oxygen absober and so far (year late) they have not crystalized. I believe the first was more the humidity (thats a guess) but And I am just adding these home made packets (which you are going to try and make) to another dated (and so far good to go) jar and see how much longer (in our humid zone) they could last.

I open stuff taste and reseal for a better time frame estimate for myself

I wouldnt have tried those (meant for my home made ice tea) unless she reminded me, but those are amazing. I put them into my tea daily now, and if no one told me I would have never imagined it was not true lemon. Makes wonderful lemonade also the tast is true lemon. Im so hooked on that powder now. Just ordered it in bulk.

Although, there could be another idea, If we could use liquid lemon, would powdered lemon work?

Lord willing I will retry the powdered vinegar and also make a batch trying the powdered lemon (just to be more certain) its always good to know. Things that survive without refrigeration (but would be a little more likely to deteriorate in humidity) but if you got the humidity covered by these reuseable silica desiccant packs thats one less problem you have to worry about dealing with. And best part is you dont have to make repurchases of it either, its re useable. I love that sort of thing myself.

God bless

 

[Fireinfolding]

Here is more information on how silica gel is non toxic

From online search its not the silica gel but the cobalt chloride which is cacinogenic (which are the added moisture control "indicator" beads)

Thats why I bought the pure white and advise accordingly

Poison control center

http://www.ncpoisoncenter.org/body.cfm?id=113

From the above

Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel

 

[MrJim]

My silica kitty litter arrived this morning work to do...

 

[Fireinfolding]

My silica kitty litter arrived this morning work to do...

How on earth did you get it that fast?

One day delivery? No way, unless you live next door to Amazon?

 

[MrJim]

How on earth did you get it that fast?

One day delivery? No way, unless you live next door to Amazon?

I'm an Amazon Prime member that product is "Prime"...2 day free delivery

 

[Fireinfolding]

I'm an Amazon Prime member that product is "Prime"...2 day free delivery

You gloating?

Hey, I know there is amazon prime but that was just one day when the other is two days, but you got that in less than 24 hours from when we first talked.

I dont see any two days, but like 19 hours or something is why I asked lol

How is your little coffee filter packet building coming?

I was not very frugal in this purchase because I liked those little jugs the other silica came in, so I paid more getting three of those. Waiting on the tea bags.

These are sort of a cool idea as well (probably not for spices) but maybe the guys ammo cans or something

They are $9 for 50 sewn bags of them, because I would think they could also be washed and reused as well. The more reusable the more they appeal to me.

 

[MrJim]

I got the package in a couple days...my posting may be a bit off...and yeah I might gloat a bit..

 

[Fireinfolding]

LOL!

 

[Fireinfolding]

I thought this was pretty cool, to get your folding chairs up and out of the way (just hang them up) but then pull down their seats to use as storage shelves. Use the underpart of the chairs for things that you want hung up.

If you had a bunch of chairs similiar not only could you hang them up (out of the way) but unclutter the room by getting everything up off the floor.

 

[MrJim]

How is your little coffee filter packet building coming?

I'm an aquarist~~~so when it came to small mesh bags I automatically thought of these....

The local Petsmart sell them at .89 small & .99 large. Large is 4x12. While there is a drawstring closure I can easily cut these down~get up to 5 bags out of the large. I picked up 3 of each today.

The mesh is extremely fine~~perfect for the application. I stopped in at the local Petco and all they had was a rather large mesh (netting really) at $3.49 each....

 

[Fireinfolding]

I'm an aquarist~~~so when it came to small mesh bags I automatically thought of these....

The local Petsmart sell them at .89 small & .99 large. Large is 4x12. While there is a drawstring closure I can easily cut these down~get up to 5 bags out of the large. I picked up 3 of each today.

The mesh is extremely fine~~perfect for the application. I stopped in at the local Petco and all they had was a rather large mesh (netting really) at $3.49 each....

Wouldnt that be more expensive though? For example, I had ordered 150 of those mini 3x4 muslin bags (which really come in packs of 50 for around $9) where you wouldnt have to make bags out of them. I still ordered the tea bags also (these being of the disposable nature moreso) as I can use those for a multitude of other purposes.

Unless you are just using yours for a different purpose, because you actually purchased much more silica then I did, so I would think you would need more bags, and if you are cutting a larger one down to make 15 bags out of 3 of them for around $3 it would probably be worth less the trouble (and cost) to pick up those premade muslin bags premade for you.