Questions Answered
Mylar bags, what are they? Why can they be utilized as an alternative to glass jars? These are questions that will be answered during this blog.
Material & History
Mylar bags are derived from polyester resin and foil, creating a shiny side and a translucent or non-see-through thin plastic side. Some individuals prefer to see the products in bags, while others like the protection from the sunlight. Depending on the user’s preference, one can be used to let light in or keep light out of the bag. This illustration can be seen in the picture at the top of this blog post.
Mylar is thin and flexible, unlike other plastics. So, it is resilient from tearing and more durable than other plastic bags. DuPont Chemical invented this polymer in the 1950s, an innovative technology for numerous applications, from packaging computer parts to storing food. Used for over six decades, it is surprising that mylar bags are gaining popularity.
Mylar bags are starting to be utilized more for food storage in the agriculture and food industry. Mylar bags can prevent food from spoiling. They can be used for fresh, dried, or frozen produce, but dried produce is preferred for most mylar bag users. When storing produce in the freezer, it can prevent the onset of food becoming freezer burnt. Once food becomes freezer burnt, it reduces the overall quality and taste of the food once cooked. So, mylar bags have numerous applications with storage for food products alone.
Mylar Bags vs. Glass Jars
Glass Jars
There is nothing wrong with using glass jars to store produce. Still, both have advantages and disadvantages. Glass jars can be cleaned easily by hand or in the dishwasher, enabling them to be easily reusable. Glass jars can also be stacked, making them easy to store on shelves or in other storage areas. Glass, however, can break easily and is heavier than mylar bags. Glass jars also require different techniques to seal the jars. Sealers can pull out the air from the jars. When canning other food products, a pressure cooker or cooking pot in combination with heat is required to seal the lids to the jars.
They also need metal rings attached to the lids to stay connected and hold the seal. This may also provide extra protection from animals popping the lids. For users that store their glass jars in a humid area, it is known that these metal rings eventually rust. However, glass jars can store numerous other products due to their multiple different cooking applications. Glass jars may store food almost indefinitely because glass never deteriorates. The sealed component can be damaged or punctured, but it requires strong force for this to happen. Jars come in different sizes from small to large to fit the need for any type of storage.
Mylar Bags
Mylar bags are more difficult to clean, and most users use them for one-time use. That is not to say they cannot be reused, but it requires more work than glass jars. Mylar bags cannot be stacked (easily, at least) on shelves due to their slippery material. However, they can be easily stored in boxes, and a user can fit more produce-filled mylar bags in a box than glass jars. So, one may fit more mylar bags in a storage area than glass jars due to glass jars taking up more space. Mylar bags cannot be used in the application for boiling produce and storing simply because the plastic will inevitably melt. Mylar bags do not require additional tools than a sealer and, ideally, oxygen absorbers (which will be discussed soon).
Mylar bags are also cheaper to buy in bulk than glass jars. Users can get more bang for their buck by buying hundreds of mylar bags compared to glass jars. Mylar bags can be punctured, causing them to be useless, but with proper care and storage, they can last a long while. So, it is best to put them in a location to prevent them from being punctured or nibbled by animals. Food can be stored safely in mylar bags for approximately twenty years or even longer. Mylar bags can also be quickly shipped to consumers, whereas glass jars must be adequately packaged to prevent the glass from breaking. Mylar is also lightweight, reducing the overall shipping cost. Mylar bags can also come in numerous sizes to fit the need for any type of storage from small to extremely large (five gallons or more) packaging.
Proper Usage
Mylar bags can be used in conjunction with vacuum sealers. Vacuum sealers are multipurpose tools. They draw out any air (oxygen) and seal the bags using a heating element once the sealer indicates no air is present within the mylar bag. This ensures the product is in a contained environment because air will eventually spoil food, reducing storage shelf-life. Air may also have water particles, causing humidity to transpire within the bag, which will subsequently cause food to rot and spoil. This is not a full-proof method, so using these tools (mylar bags & vacuum sealers) in conjunction with oxygen absorbers is best. This will ensure that if the sealer does not pull out all the air, the oxygen absorbers will draw out the rest of the air within the bag. It is easy to tell when all air is out of the bag once the bag suctions to the food.
There are other tools one can use to seal the mylar bags, but are less efficent than a vacuume sealer that can pull air out and use a heat method to seal the bag. None the less, users can utilize tools like a hair straightener, iron, or anything else that can make a seal with the mylar bag. We would recommend using these alternative methods sparingly and to use extreme precaution because these methods can cause extreme burns. So, if a user utilizes these methods, take precautions like wearing heat-resistant gloves.
Summary
The invention of mylar bags has given users flexibility in storing produce. They can prevent light from penetrating the bags or be see-through to see the food stored inside. They are flexible, lightweight, and more durable than other plastics. They require minimal tools to store food for long periods. They can be stored in small areas and be hidden easily. Mylar bags can store more produce than jars can (e.g., five gallon bags). Mylar is a great product to use for food storage. In summary, mylar is a relatively new invention compared to glass jars. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. It is up to the user to decide the best fit for them.
References
C, S. (2022, May 4). Facts you need to know about Mylar bags. – Wallaby Goods. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://wallabygoods.com/blogs/food-storage-tips/facts-you-need-to-know-about-mylar-bags
Kirsh, R. (2022, May 10). Mylar bags: What are they and how do they work? Dymapak. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://dymapak.com/mylar-bags/