Keeping food dry
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The key to storing food for long periods of time is to keep it dry.
Filling a container with grain and immediately sealing it will not prevent
moisture from accumulating. There is enough moisture in the air between
grains to cause problems over time. This is why vacuum sealed pouches
are popular - most of the moisture carrying air is removed.
You can dramatically reduce the moisture content in your food storage containers by adding a desiccant. A desiccant is a substance, such as calcium oxide or silica gel, that absorbs water and is used as a drying agent. You can usually find desiccants at WalMart, Craft stores or on the internet.
The best usage of a desiccant is to store your food during the driest time of the year and immediately before sealing the food add the desiccant. Desiccants are NOT edible, so make sure you have them properly packaged before using them.
If the desiccant mixes with your food - throw it all away. If you purchase a desiccant that is designed for food storage it will usually be prepackaged for use.
