Long term storage

Long term storage

First thing needed is an air-tight container. Second thing is nitrogen gas (which you can get from a local gas dealer or from a welding supply house.) In your air-tight container, make a hole up high and a hole down low, just large enough to introduce a small hose. Nitrogen is heavier than air so if you introduce nitrogen slowly into the upper hole it will force air out of the lower hole. To determine that you are full of nitrogen in your container, put a candle in front of the lower hole – when it goes out, the container is full of nitrogen. Seal both holes, the top one first. I use a clay that dries super hard. You can get the clay at the hobby shop.

This will work on any size container but is probably best used on containers less than 6 ft. long by 2 ft. in circumference, or width by 2 ft. high, or similar dimensions. I have heard of (never seen) entire rooms done this way in electrical and computer production facilities to ward off oxidization.

You can store foodstuffs, medical supplies, guns, ammo, clothing, etc., etc. No oxygen, no oxidization (rust), no rot, etc.

Additionally, I put silicone dehydrator packets in with whatever I’m storing. No matter what you do there is likely to be some humidity inside the container. These packets will soak that humidity up.

you can purchase in low quantities from online websites such as http://www.silicagelpackets.com/ or if you want to buy in bulk or get a couple of folks in on a larger purchase, http://www.uline.com/ is an excellent resource. Uline also carries the thick Mylar bags that are recommended when considering the underground storage cache for valuables.