Best Books on Food Storage

Proper food storage is extremely important to maintain freshness and longevity. One size definitely does not fit all when it comes to food storage. Depending on what food is being stored, different methods are more or less appropriate.

Food storage differs depending on the location. Food is either stored in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer.

The Pantry

Food storage in the pantry dark, dry, and cool with temperatures ranging between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer the temperatures, the more rapidly food deteriorates. The pantry should be located away from the stove, oven, and dishwasher which all radiate heat when used.

The best way to store food in the pantry is in glass, metal, or plastic containers. If food comes in cardboard boxes, it is a good idea to transfer it to an appropriate container after it is opened, to extend its life. Pantry food storage is appropriate for food you expect to use in the upcoming days.

The Refrigerator

For more fragile foods or things you want to keep fresh for a few days, the refrigerator is used to store food at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Some foods have to be refrigerated after opening or it will spoil rapidly. Perishable items such as eggs, milk, cheese, meat, poultry, and fish need to be refrigerated. Overloading the refrigerator can increase the temperature inside so it is a good idea not to stuff it full of food.

In order to retain the fresh qualities, place food in closed containers or tightly wrapped up in pastic or foil. This prevents food from drying out and also contains their odors. Use of plastic bags will allow odors to transfer from food to food easily, contaminating taste and quality.

The Freezer

Freezers are used to store food for longer periods of time at zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower. It is important that foods stored in the freezer are packed correctly to avoid freezer burn, which discolors and changes the texture of food.

Although food storage in the freezer doesn't kill bacteria, it does slow down their growth tremendously. To prevent bacteria from growing during the thaw process, it is best to put it in the refrigerator rather than on the kitchen counter. Assuring that the wrapping is airtight will help stop or prevent bacteria from growing.

In addition to storing food short-term in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer, people also stock up for emergencies. Some people believe in storing up to three months worth of food products in case something were to happen such as a natural disaster or economic crisis. In this case, most of the food stored is dry and can be mixed with water, which would also be stored for emergency purposes.

People cannot depend on refrigerators and freezers to store their food long term during emergency situations. Usually, there is no electricity, forcing people to prepare accordingly.

There are many resources out there that people can turn if they want comprehensive guides on how to store food long-term. Some of the best food storage books are reviewed below.

Anne Lang's The Prepper's Pantry: Building and Thriving with Food Storage is a wonderful resource for those who not only want to know how to store food, but also those who want to know how to use up their food storage.

No matter why people choose to store up their food, be it an emergency, a nuclear war, or an alien invasion, they end up with a ton of food that they need to eat up or leave it to waste. After years of storing different foods, they eventually have to be consumed. This book contains many scrumptious, savory recipes that help people in different situations use up their inventory.

In addition to the recipes provided, this book also outlines what people can do when there is no electricity. Since the cooking process depends greatly on different utilities, the suggestions are extremely helpful for emergency situations when gas and electricity are not accessible.

The book Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis by Peggy Layton provides readers with 10 steps to take to create a food storage program. Ms. Layton provides ideas on how to prepare for natural disasters, food and water contamination, and other emergency crises.

Readers will find out how to prepare a 'home grocery store' and 'home pharmacy' in case anything were to happen. In addition, the author also suggests many recipes and ways to use up your food storage as you rotate your inventory to maintain freshness. There is even an entire section on how to store water and keep your family sanitary during distressed times.

Food Storage: Preserving Meat, Dairy and Eggs by Susan Gregersen and David Armstrong is a book that can be used when you are preparing your emergency food storage. This book reviews a variety of food preservation techniques, including:

• canning,
• dehydrating,
• freezing,
• salting,
• brining,
• sugaring,
• smoking,
• pickling, and
• fermenting.

Preserving meat, dairy, and eggs can be essential to creating food storage that provides your family with a variety of nutrients they need to stay healthy.