Need help with Mylar bags

[Teapot]

oh great idea - thanks!!

[Ian]

I am not sure why there is a fixation about Mylar bags for storage here in the UK

What is required is an easily sealable bag that does not let oxygen through to degrade the contents, these are called 'barrier bags' of which Mylar is just one type. Oxygen whistles through ordinary Polythene bags, but they effectively stop moisture penetration, all to do with molecule sizes.

Mylar has a couple of layers of plastic which may be easily welded by heat, sandwiching a thin layer of metal, usually aluminium, which of course is an effective block to Oxygen. The plastic layer itself is quite fragile and easily torn.

Other types exist, such as three layers of plastic, outer tough, middle blocking oxygen and inner easily weldable, some have five or more layers for specialist use, e.g. having a tough inner layer for packing sharp materials.

Mylar is typically found in the US and because it is pretty and shiny, for bags of crisps.

In the UK transparent barrier bags are much more commonly used, your cheese, bacon and sausages will be sealed in transparent barrier bags.

All barrier bags slowly let through some oxygen so you put in an oxygen absorber to mop up what comes through, increasing the life of the storage, the bigger the oxygen absorber the longer you may store. For sizing see:

http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk ... free7.html

Transparent barrier bags are much cheaper in the UK and no less effective than Mylar, and are often tougher. Those of you that use the embossed FoodSaver bags are using barrier bags. Transparent barrier bags are tough enough that you will not need the plastic bucket, a big cost saving I use ex-copier paper boxes that stack well.

Have a wander around the Internet looking for "vacuum pouches", "vacuum bags" and "high barrier bags"

I have used Scobies with no problems:

http://www.scobiesdirect.com/VacuumPouches.asp

Another is:

http://www.thevacuumpouch.co.uk/vacuum_pouches.php

Don't waste money on a fixation that Mylar is the magic storage material that must be used. It is not.

[itsybitsy]

Better seek help for that 'mylar fixation' Teapot. It could be terminall...

[diamond lil]

I already decided to do this ian, Mylar is just a designer label fixation I think. If it keeps my porridge/flour/lentils dry and good, then its fine!

[Ian]

I really had in mind another forum which appears to preach 'If you don't use Mylar bags you are a cheap failure' and 'You have to spend a lot of money to keep up with us and prep properly'.

Tosh.

[diamond lil]

Ian, you are BAD!

[itsybitsy]

I really had in mind another forum which appears to preach 'If you don't use Mylar bags you are a cheap failure' and 'You have to spend a lot of money to keep up with us and prep properly'.

Tosh.

Interesting...care to name and shame?

[Ian]

Interesting...care to name and shame?

Absolutely and categorically:

NO

(I loath inter-forum wars)

[diamond lil]

I know. Send me your name on a £20 note and I'll tell you.
(well there's no point being a mod unless there is some pauchle involved eh !)

[itsybitsy]

Interesting...care to name and shame?

Absolutely and categorically:

NO

(I loath inter-forum wars)

Who's talking about a inter-forum war? It was simply tongue in cheek comment! Hence the smilie...

I don't belong to any more forums - one is more than enough to cope with at times!