How Long Does Flour Last in Mylar Bags? A Detailed Guide!

A common question that most bakery owners and people who deal with flour ask is the life expectancy of flour. When working with large batches of flour, it seems impossible to just keep running back and forth to buy more flour. Most people use Mylar bags to store flour and other dry food items. And if you have questions about it and want to know how long does flour last in mylar bags, this blog is for you. 

What is the Average life of Flour?

Before we look for the answer to how long does flour last in a mylar bag, we must know the average shelf life of flour. People have been using different containers and storage conditions to store flour, as it has not always been in a Mylar bag. 

• All-Purpose Flour

When you are storing all-purpose flour in your kitchen cabinet, it will last up to 8 months. However, the conditions of keeping the flour safe from dust, water, air, and other spices are mandatory. You must keep the flour in a tight container to ensure it remains safe from bugs and molds. And when the flour is kept inside the refrigerator, it can last up to around a year. 

• Wheat Flour

The freshly ground wheat flour can last up to 6 weeks if it is stored in a good container and a storage facility. The reason for this time being short is the oils that are found in the wheat, and they can go rancid when they come in contact with the air. So, if you are planning to buy a lot of freshly ground flour, you must remember the speed at which it will be oxidized or go rancid.

Factors that can Spoil the Flour 

There are several factors that can cause the flour to go bad. If you are thinking about starting a bakery business or you are about to host a summer café for your friends and family, you must consider these factors. It is not necessary for every factor to be present there for the flour to go bad; even if your flour is exposed to one or two factors, it will go bad. 

• Oxidation

Oxidation is one of the main factors for food items to go bad. This is why you must ensure that the flour you are about to store is kept in the absence of air. Big batches must be stored in air-tight containers and must only be opened when you have to use them. 

• Moisture

Moisture is also a big enemy of the flour. If you are intending to keep the flour stored for a long time, it’s best to keep it away from moisture. This means that you should always keep your flour stored in a cool and dry place. Most people use plastic containers and not paper bags to ensure the flour does not get wet.

• Bugs

When the flour is stored unmodified, bugs can find a way inside. There are a few ways you can ensure that doesn’t happen. When you buy the flour, you must ensure that it doesn’t contain any bugs, even a small one. Always get refined flour. Double-check the containers to see if there are any cracks that can help the bugs enter. 

• Absorbing Odor

Always store your flour in a separate cabinet or storage facility when storing it in bulk. The reason is that when the flour absorbs other smells, it can go bad. While it’s not as volatile as coffee, flour can go bad when stored with strong spices in a small cabinet. If you don't have a storage space, choosing Mylar bags is a wise decision as they can keep the odor and other factors away. 

Why Mylar Bag is a Great Choice for Long-Term Storage? 

Mylar bags are one of the best choices when it comes to storing flour for the long term. On average, the life expectancy of food can increase up to 15 years when stored in Mylar bags under proper conditions. Most people wonder how long does flour last packed in mylar bags, and if you are storing the flour in perfect conditions, you can go as long as 20 years. However, it is a wise choice to use the flour within 10 years. 

You can use vacuum-sealed bags to ensure the flour remains safe for as long as it is inside the packaging. The following properties make Mylar Bags an excellent choice for storing flour and other food items for a long time: 

• Smell Proof

One of the reasons for choosing Mylar bags is their ability to keep the products packed inside safe from the smells outside. This means that even if you are storing your flour-packed items inside these bags next to herbs and spices, the flour won’t absorb any smell. This is the same reason coffee brands choose Mylar bags to pack and sell their coffee. 

• Moisture Resistant 

Mylar bags exhibit excellent barrier properties, which means that they act as a strong wall between the product packed inside and the external moisture. Mylar bags can also keep the moisture inside a product, retained for as long as it is packed. Choosing Mylar bags in different sizes is a wise choice to store the flour for the long term.

• Reflects Light

Mylar packaging is favored over other types of packaging bags because it can reflect the light rather than absorbing it. This means that the products that need protection from the sunlight and must be kept in a dark place are packed in these bags. You should use Mylar bags when storing the flour. You can easily find 5 or 6-gallon Mylar bags to store a large amount of flour. 

Get High-Quality Mylar Bags for Storing Flour!

Before you store your flour in Mylar bags, it is important to know a few things about the storage conditions. Food items need to be stored properly and monitored to keep them fresh. You should always keep your flour stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. 

These three factors can increase the life of the flour, and it will be fresh even after 10+ years. You can get high-quality Mylar bags to store the flour in different sizes and even styles by contacting Custom Boxes Lane today.