If you are dedicated to long-term food storage or just beginning to learn the ropes of long-term food storage, you might know that oxygen absorbers are a critical element of the whole process.

Designed to remove excess oxygen from storage containers, oxygen absorbers ensure the food remains in the best quality over a long period. Although the type of food and fat content will define its ability to stay preserved long-term, adding oxygen absorbers will assist in prolonging the life of food items.

mylar bags with oxygen absorbers

So, it is clear that you need to add oxygen absorbers to your storage containers.

But how many oxygen absorbers packets must be added to get the desired results? Is the number of oxygen absorbers packets added depend on the size of the storage container? Does it depend on the type of food you are storing?

This blog will answer all your questions comprehensively. So, let’s get started.

Does the number of oxygen absorber packets depend on the type of food you are storing?

Yes, absolutely! The type of food will determine the amount of air and thus oxygen trapped between food particles. This will determine the number of oxygen absorber packets needed.

oxygen absorber

For example, foods that are dense such as flour, rice, grains, wheat and more will trap less air in between food particles. This means it will have less oxygen between the particles. The number of oxygen absorber packets needed will be less.

On the other hand, foods that are less dense such as pasta, beans, and others will trap more air between food particles thus more oxygen. Hence, you will need to add a slightly greater number of oxygen absorber packets.

Does the number of oxygen absorbers packets added depend on the size of the storage container?

Most definitely! The larger the storage container, the more food items it can store, and the more air thus oxygen it will trap between food particles and will require a greater number of oxygen absorber packets.

For example, the number of oxygen absorber packets required in a 6-gallon food storage bucket will be more than the number of oxygen absorber packets required ina 1-gallon food storage bucket.

How many oxygen absorber packets must be added to get the desired results?

oxygen packets

As mentioned above, this will depend on the size of the container and the type of food. To make it easier, we have created a comprehensive size chart showing the number of oxygen packets based on the size of the container and types of food.

Dense Foods (Wheat/Grain/Flour/Rice)

Type of Food Container

Oxygen Absorber Capacity

No. of Oxygen Absorber Packets

5-Gallon Food Storage Bucket Item

100cc

20

500cc

4

1000cc

2

2000cc

1

6-Gallon Food Storage Bucket Item

100cc

20

500cc

4

1000cc

2

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 6in. x 8in. x 2in. (1/4 gallon)

100cc

1

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 6in. x 10in. (1/4 gallon) Item

100cc

1

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 8in. x 12in. x 4in. (1/2 gallon)

100cc

1-2

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 8in. x 12in. (1/2 gallon) Item

100cc

1-2

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 10in. x 14in. x 4in. (1 gallon)

100cc

3-4

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 10in. x 14in. (1 gallon) Item

100cc

3-4

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 12in. x 16in. x 6in. (1.5 gallons)

100cc

5-8

500cc

1-2

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 12in. x 18in. (1.5 gallons)

100cc

5-8

500cc

1-2

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 14in. x 18in. x 6in. (2.0 gallons)

100cc

10

500cc

2

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 14in. x 20in. (2.0 gallons)

100cc

10

500cc

2

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 18in. x 28in. (4.25, 5, and 6 gallons)

100cc

20

500cc

4

1000cc

2

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 20in. x 30in. (4.25, 5, and 6 gallons)

100cc

20

500cc

4

1000cc

2

2000cc

1

 

Less Dense Foods (Beans/Pasta)

Type of Food Container

Oxygen Absorber Capacity

No. of Oxygen Absorber Packets

5-Gallon Food Storage Bucket Item

100cc

25-30

500cc

5-6

1000cc

3

2000cc

2

6-Gallon Food Storage Bucket Item

100cc

25-30

500cc

5-6

1000cc

3

2000cc

2

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 6in. x 8in. x 2in. (1/4 gallon)

100cc

1-2

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 6in. x 10in. (1/4 gallon) Item

100cc

1-2

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 8in. x 12in. x 4in. (1/2 gallon)

100cc

2-4

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 8in. x 12in. (1/2 gallon) Item

100cc

2-4

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 10in. x 14in. x 4in. (1 gallon)

100cc

4

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 10in. x 14in. (1 gallon) Item

100cc

4

500cc

1

1000cc

1

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 12in. x 16in. x 6in. (1.5 gallons)

100cc

10-12

500cc

2-3

1000cc

1-2

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 12in. x 18in. (1.5 gallons)

100cc

10-12

500cc

2-3

1000cc

1-2

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 14in. x 18in. x 6in. (2.0 gallons)

100cc

15-20

500cc

3-4

1000cc

2

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag 14in. x 20in. (2.0 gallons)

100cc

15-20

500cc

3-4

1000cc

2

2000cc

1

Mylar Bag with Ziplock 18in. x 28in. (4.25, 5, and 6 gallons)

100cc

25-30

500cc

5-6

1000cc

3

2000cc

2

Mylar Bag 20in. x 30in. (4.25, 5, and 6 gallons)

100cc

25-30

500cc

5-6

1000cc

3

2000cc

2

Things to Remember

  • Make sure to remember the unit conversions. (1 cc= 1 ml; 1000ml = 1 Liter ; 3.78 Liters = 1 gallon)
  • The chart contains only the average amount of oxygen absorbers needed. Based on where you live and the atmosphere, you may need more or a smaller number of oxygen absorber packets.
  • There is no disadvantage to adding a greater number of oxygen absorbers packets than needed. It won’t spoil your food.

Bottom Line

Oxygen absorbers are critical to long-term food storage. And knowing how many numbers of oxygen absorber packets you will need is essential.

At Wallaby, we offer a wide range of food storage options such as mylar bags along with oxygen absorbers with different capacities. We also offer bundle deals on mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. Moreover, we also provide food storage tips and tricks through our extensive blog written by experts.

Check out our product collection now. Contact our team for further information.