There are four factors that affect food storage.
Learning all the different methods for batch cooking, canning, preserving and pickling, freeze drying and freezing is important but it is equally important to know how to store those foods afterwards.
The four factors that affect food storage are temperature, moisture, atmosphere and container choice.
You must be aware of these four factors when looking to gain the optimum results for your efforts, especially if your end goal is long term food storage.
Food Storage Temperature
Cooking food according to the recommended temperature is the safest way to ensure bacteria or other contaminants are not a subject of concern.
Prior to cooking food, however, you need to be certain that the food you are buying is kept in the proper section of your local grocery store or market and that it is kept at the proper temperature.
Before purchasing food, check the date on the label to ensure that it is not past its freshest due date.
Also, if you are purchasing a frozen item check to see that it is not semi-defrosted or too frozen, which may subject it to freezer burn.
Check your refrigerator and freezer for the appropriate recommended manufacturer setting and keep it at the highest setting recommended to avoid spoilage or over freezing.
A refrigerator or freezer thermometer that you purchase separately is an item I recommend keeping on hand to check the temperature inside both of these appliances from time to time.
How Moisture Affects Food Storage
When canning foods especially, moisture comes into play.
It is important to check your mason jars by either tapping the lid gently with a spoon or your finger to check and see if they have been sealed properly.
If you press the top of the mason jar, you should be able to determine whether or not you have a proper seal.
Moisture also comes into play when dehydrating foods.
Salt curing will remove moisture from meats allowing the drying process to continue.
Drying fruits and vegetables in the sun will remove moisture from them.
Taking the fruits and vegetables in during moist evening hours will ensure that the fruits and vegetables can be dried further over the next couple of days.
You can buy food safe desiccant to put into your dehydrated foods or other dried items such as homemade spices.
Some people also use rice but I cannot attest to how well that works.
How Local Atmosphere Affects Food Storage
It is important to note that while canning, atmosphere comes into play for certain levels above sea level.
Certain feet above sea level requires a change in how you can, the temperature at which you boil, and perhaps even the time allotment for boiling a particular food.
Always check the recipe directions for instructions.
Food Storage Airtight Containers Are A Must
Freeze food for no longer than six months as a base.
Store the in proper food storage containers.
Be sure to seal out air, and add proper labels so you know what is in the containers.
These are just some of the tips for keeping frozen foods safe and ready to use.
Some containers are good for freezer to microwave while others can stain easily when sauce-based recipes are placed inside them.
Always use a freezer marker and freezer tape to date items so that you can view the date you froze them with a quick glance.
Once you get the hang of freezing, freeze drying, canning, preserving, pickling, and drying out foods, the methods in which you store, temperatures for different recipes, and all the rules and regulations will become second nature.
You will be well on your way to successful long term food preservation.
Original Tweet Chat Transcript
Every Thursday evening at 7pm EST, I will be hosting a #homesteadchat on Twitter.
Be sure to include the hashtag #homesteadchat.
Tonight’s topic is making artisan bread making for the beginner.
We will be talking about how to use ingredients grown in your own garden – or ingredients you can find locally in grocery or health food stores to make artisan breads.
Have a question you would like to see answered tonight, but can’t make the chat?
Leave it in the comment box below this post.
Questions that are not answered tonight will be addressed either through a post or You Tube video.
I hope to see you there.
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Preserving Herbs For Winter Use eCourse
Do you love fresh herbs but wonder if there is an easy way to preserve them for the winter?
Do you seek other ways to use herbs other than just as a seasoning on food?
There are so many ways to preserve herbs for winter use – from various methods of drying them to freezing them, but it doesn’t end there.
Some of the best ways to preserve herbs in right in the foods you would normally incorporate herbs into – pre-made seasonings, teas, butter or oil.
Then this is the course for you!
What You Will Learn In This Course:
Hang herbs to dry
Use a hanging herb dryer
Dry herbs on a window screen dryer
Dry herbs in a dehydrator
Dry herbs in an oven
Dry herbs in a microwave
Freeze herbs whole
Make herb ice cubes
Add fresh herbs to freezer meals
Add herbs to canned sauces
Preserve herbs in vinegar
Preserve herbs in oil
Preserve herbs in butter
Preserve herbs in salt or sugar
Make pre-made seasonings
Make herbal tea
Make herb jelly (plus tips on how to use these)
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How To Dehydrate Food
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Canning Broccoli Is No Longer Safe But You Can Still Preserve It
Although canning broccoli was once considered safe, times have changed thus freezing, dehydrating or freee drying broccoli is recommended.
Preserving Herbs For Winter Use eCourse
Do you love fresh herbs but wonder if there is an easy way to preserve them for the winter?
Do you seek other ways to use herbs other than just as a seasoning on food?
There are so many ways to preserve herbs for winter use – from various methods of drying them to freezing them, but it doesn’t end there.
Some of the best ways to preserve herbs in right in the foods you would normally incorporate herbs into – pre-made seasonings, teas, butter or oil.
Then this is the course for you!
What You Will Learn In This Course:
Hang herbs to dry
Use a hanging herb dryer
Dry herbs on a window screen dryer
Dry herbs in a dehydrator
Dry herbs in an oven
Dry herbs in a microwave
Freeze herbs whole
Make herb ice cubes
Add fresh herbs to freezer meals
Add herbs to canned sauces
Preserve herbs in vinegar
Preserve herbs in oil
Preserve herbs in butter
Preserve herbs in salt or sugar
Make pre-made seasonings
Make herbal tea
Make herb jelly (plus tips on how to use these)
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Food