I'm getting to the point with my food storage that I'll need to incorporate 5 gallon buckets. Before I start buying the supplies, does anyone have experience with using both mylar and vaccuum sealing? I know mylar is the staple for long term storage, however vaccuum bags are stronger and by putting them inside a bucket that should block the light? Any information would be awesome
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Your mileage may vary but I seemed to have a large failure rate with vacuum sealing as the bags would loose their seal over time. I seen a video the other day where that put whatever item they were storing in a paper lunch bag then placed that in the vacuum sealer bag and sealed it. I can't say that works better but it makes sense that it places an extra layer between to protect the vacuum sealer bag from the contents. I have had really good results use the vacuum sealer for small clothing items such as socks and underwear to place in bug out bags to keep them clean and dry.
Mylar is for the 10+ year dry stuff you want to tuck away. Mylar doesn't breathe. Vacuum seal bags will still breathe over time. Vacuum seal bagged food is probably better for a deep freezer. Any crops or foods with moisture are great for freezing for a year. Meats are also great under vaccum sealed bags. It's currently my excuse to not buy a pressure canner or know how to can foods. :) That's where I am right now anyway.
Recently started using Mylar bags with ribs that are made for the foodsaver sealer. I've been having about an 85% success ratio with them getting a total vacuum seal. Get them at Discount Mylar bags. Com. I then do a secondary seal. Seems fine so far.
I do that and go over the top with an iron anyway. I get about 90% success. It'd be cool if they made the 5 gal bags with a 12" neck at the top and the ribbed neck so it can go in the vacuum sealer.
Agree with above, plastic vacuum seal bags are permeable eventually plus they have a fair amount of failures. Not so with mylar. If you seal properly and protect from puncture you are good to go for a LONG time.
If you squeeze out most of the air and seal a mylar bag with an O2 absorber inside, the chemical reaction of the absorber will cause the bag to suck down tight anyway. Everything in that bag is completely inert. :)
because the mylar bags fill all of the available space in a bucket you will be able to store more using mylars. i'd put grains in legumes in mylars, salts, spices, and other goodies could go in a vacume seal bag.
I think an ordinary sealer bags will be enough for you. I use my Weston pro and it always help me perfectly. So, I think that an ordinary vacuum sealer like one of these and standard bags for it will help you.