How to Store Dehydrated Food in Mason Jars

Purchasing the food in huge quantities and drying them in the dehydrator not only benefits you in saving money but also helps you in keeping stock of healthy foods.

However, the only problem of doing bulk drying of the food is how to store the food till the time you require it. You may use the mason jars for keeping and storing your dried food for a long time. You have to store and pack the dried foods in these jars properly for ensuring safety and good quality without any spoilage.

There are numerous benefits of vacuum sealing the foods and storing them inside the mason jars. The procedure itself might differ subject to the utilization of the vacuum sealer and the types of foods that you want to store. But the result and advantages will be similar if appropriately finished properly. You need to some practice and can effortlessly turn into a professional for storing dried foods in the mason jars.

So, how to store dehydrated food in mason jars?

In the below article, we will tell you that the way of storing the dehydrated food in mason jars by retaining the original flavors and nutrients of the foods. We will also share with you some useful info about the mason jars that will help you in the right storing of the foods.

What are the mason jars?

Mason jars are airtight containers that come in various shape and sizes in the market. They have different size of the mouth or the jar’s opening. You can get them in two standard sizes like the regular and wide mouth. But, there are few extra random sizes also available such as Gem; however, it is challenging to find lids and rings for such sizes.

The size of the mason jars may vary like 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 Litre and 2 liters. Between all these different sizes, the jar’s shapes differ marginally by jar’s size, style, and mouth. You can buy any one of them that suits your needs and budget.

List of things required for storing the dehydrated food in mason jars

There are a few things that you need for storing the dehydrated food in mason jars, like:

• Mason jars
• Dried foods
• Water
• Canner
• Tongs
• Ladle or funnel

The process of storing the dehydrated food in mason jars

Below is the step by step process of storing the dehydrated food in the mason jars:

1) Pick the type of food you want to store

You may store any food inside the Mason jar that sealed like dried spices, dried herbs, dried veggies, and dried fruits. You can use them in the stews, soups, and entrees. Below are the different kinds of foods that you can store in the mason jars:

• Few fruits which might be dehydrated and stored in mason jars consist of peaches, apples, pineapple, pears, oranges and many more.
• Few vegetables that you can dry and store in mason jars consist of green beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, and so on.

2) Arranging and Filling Foods for Sealing

Before storing the dried foods in the mason jars, you must ensure to wash your entire jars and their seals and the lids.  Place the water inside the canner and put the mason jars over the stand. Now simmer the water and don’t boil it. You have to keep the jars hot till the time you are prepared to use them.

After this, put the horizontal lids inside a pot of water and boil the water on low. Similarly, keep them hot until the time you are ready for their use. There is no need to heat the bands of the screw.

3) Treating and Heating Mason Jars

While storing the dried food inside the mason jars, fill them with the dried foods with the help of a ladle or funnel after the preparation.  You may utilize the canning tongs for removing the hot Mason jars individually for filling.

You should ensure that there is no kind of air bubbles inside the mason jars. There should be adequate space on the jar’s top. With the help of the dry and clean cloth, you have to take off any extra food from the jar’s rims for proper clean storage. Then, put the flat lid over the Mason jar’s center and fasten the band. Put the filled mason jars again in the canner with the 1 inches of water above them. Shield the canner and boil the water to the full once.

4) Storing of the Mason jar

You should store the Mason jar in a cool place that is away from heat and sunlight. But don’t freeze them. You can use your home’s basement, pantry or closet for storage. It is beneficial if you store them without using the band because if your food gets spoiled it will make the lid loose and you can see that easily.

The best temperature for storing the mason jars is between 50 degrees F to 70 degrees F. Don’t forget to keep the jar away from moisture and water that can rust the lids.

5) Sealing as well as Resealing Mason Jars for Reuse

You may reuse the mason jars as well as the screw bands by merely washing them carefully with water and soap. You have to boil the lids and jars for around the period of 20 minutes to get rid of any bacteria which washing might have neglected. You should wash and disinfect the mason jars correctly always as the left-over food bacteria can make you sick easily.

After washing and sterilizing the jars, you can refill them and boil them as per your recipes requirement. They will work for you like the newly bought mason jars.

Can the dried Foods Store inside the Mason Jars Go Bad?

If you do not store the dried foods properly in the mason jars then, this can make the dried foods to go bad. Some people do not seal the jars correctly which also spoil the food.

So, if you want to store the dried foods in the mason jars for long term period then, it is always beneficial to store them in the cold and dry place that is away from direct sunlight or heat. Moreover, you should keep the jars away from moisture and water also.

You can store the food inside the mason jars easily with the help of the vacuum sealer. It helps in keeping the air out for the prevention of bacteria formation that can take place when you store the foods for the long term period. Numerous vacuum sealers in the market are today equipped with ports that you can use with the sealers of the jar as well as other accessories.

Final word

So, after reading the above info, we hope that now it is clear that how to store dehydrated food in mason jars. Storing the foods in these jars possess several advantages, but if you do not follow the right storing steps then, it can turn into a costly business for you.

You should keep in mind that preparing, sealing and storing the dried foods correctly in the mason jars can make them last for numerous months or years. You get not only tasty dried foods but also the foods with full nutrition.

Is there any other way of storing the dehydrated food in mason jars that you have followed? If yes then, please share with us in the below comment box. Don’t forget to tell us how is your experience of using the above method of storing the dried foods in mason jars.

References

https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/pack_store.html

https://keeperofthehome.org/31-ways-to-use-a-mason-jar-in-your-kitchen/

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