How to Store Powdered Milk Long Term
Powdered milk can last a long time when stored properly. Its shelf life is extended by avoiding extremes in heat and humidity.
Mylar bags or #10 cans are ideal for storing products. Other containers, such as jars, may also be used, but their open structure will reduce shelf life.
1. Freeze it
Prep and storage techniques that extend dry milk’s shelf life can significantly increase its longevity, protecting it from oxidation, heat degradation, moisture, and more. An airtight container will prevent oxygen from entering and hastening its degradation; it is best kept cool and dark for best results.
To extend the shelf life of powdered milk, you can use a vacuum sealer to remove air, add oxygen absorbers and desiccants, and store it in an airtight jar or can. When you need some, scoop it out of a can or glass jar and reconstitute it with water!
Mylar bags offer another long-term storage option. When appropriately sealed, these metallic-looking pouches become utterly impervious to air and moisture penetration. You can add desiccants at the bottom and oxygen absorbers at the top before sealing—this combination can keep milk fresh for 15 years!
If you don’t own a vacuum sealer, one-gallon freezer bags with oxygen absorbers may still work to preserve milk for storage purposes. Transfer this method into either metal or glass airtight containers, as plastic can pick up flavors that affect its taste and smell.
You can utilize the methods described above and purchase canned dry milk that has been processed to prolong its storage. Such cans typically bear labels indicating nitrogen or carbon dioxide content to replace oxygen in the air; as a result, they will likely outlive traditional milk. Furthermore, their vitamin and mineral content exceeds that of standard products.
2. Vacuum seal it
Some individuals use vacuum sealers to repackage milk powder they purchase in bulk, increasing its shelf life by eliminating oxygen and reducing moisture. This method also preserves taste. To prevent spoilage, it is best stored in a cool area.
Dry powdered milk has an indefinite shelf life when stored in an ideal climate, providing emergency and long-term survival food storage options. To extend its longevity and maintain flavor consistency, it’s essential that expiration dates be checked regularly—rotate it every six months to prevent off flavors from developing due to oxidation; label all containers accordingly so you know exactly which contents they contain.
Mylar bags, metallic-looking pouches impervious to air and moisture, make an excellent long-term storage container for milk. Metal cans or plastic jars may be suitable for short-term storage; however, their shelf lives will be shorter. Furthermore, adding desiccant and oxygen absorber may reduce moisture accumulation, which causes rapid spoilage of milk.
#10 cans are another safe and cost-effective way of storing milk for extended periods. They offer protection from water, heat, and light exposure, as well as pressure from vacuum sealers, providing a convenient method of long-term storage of milk.
3. Place it in food-grade buckets
If you don’t have access to a vacuum sealer, food-grade buckets or Mylar bags offer an effective alternative for long-term storage of powdered milk. Mylar bags feature metallic-looking pouches that seal tightly against air and moisture penetration when sealed shut, providing effective long-term storage solutions. However, for even longer-term storage solutions, add oxygen absorbers and desiccants for added peace of mind.
Powdered milk’s shelf life depends heavily on its storage environment —temperature and humidity fluctuations, as well as cross-contamination risks, are key components. If left in its original 25-pound bag for too long, powdered milk will quickly succumb to high humidity and temperature fluctuations, which will considerably reduce its longevity.
Powdered milk’s shelf life is further determined by how much sunlight it’s exposed to. As powdered milk contains Vitamin A and D, which are light-sensitive, exposing it to sunlight can accelerate its breakdown more rapidly than storing it in an environment such as a basement or pantry. To maximize shelf life for powdered milk, avoid placing it under direct sunlight as much as possible.
It is always wise to have an emergency food supply in place, and powdered milk should be included as part of that supply. Not only is powdered milk an economical food option that can be used in various recipes and beverages, but storing it correctly will ensure its long-term survival. If you have any inquiries or require help regarding emergency powdered milk storage, please reach out—we are more than happy to assist!
4. Place it in #10 cans
Powdered milk’s shelf life depends heavily on how it’s packaged and stored, with vacuum sealing in a Mylar bag placed inside a food-grade bucket with oxygen absorbers being the ideal long-term method. Proper storage should extend its life up to 15 years. When storing powdered milk, it must remain out of direct sunlight as any UV rays could damage it irreparably, leading to yellow discoloration or off odors, telltale signs that something has gone bad with its nutritional value.
Online retailers also sell nonfat dried milk specially prepared for long-term storage, available in 25-pound bags or food-grade buckets. Canned products may provide another viable solution; they’re easier to open and close, however. You could place these cans into the freezer, but they will not protect against freeze burn as effectively as a vacuum-sealed product would.
Milk can also be stored effectively by placing it in a gallon-sized glass jar fitted with desiccant and oxygen absorber to protect it from moisture absorption. However, this will not stop its spoilage; this approach may prove more cost-effective than purchasing cans, though you won’t gain as much storage time.
Given the high nutrient levels present in powdered milk, you must stockpile enough for your family in an emergency. Use our food storage calculator to estimate how much should be stored away for future needs.
5. Place it in an airtight container
Dry milk can last indefinitely when stored in an airtight container. By contrast, keeping it open or using cardboard packaging shortens its shelf life. Therefore, investing in food storage containers that allow the vacuum sealing of powdered milk will significantly extend its shelf life.
This will prevent moisture and oxygen from infiltrating the product and will prolong its shelf life. It’s also crucial to store powdered milk in an ideal location, away from light or heat (factors that could hasten milk spoilage).
When purchasing nonfat powdered milk from a food storage provider, it will typically come packaged in either a 25-pound bag or a #10 can. Unfortunately, these containers aren’t ideal for long-term storage; to do this properly, you will need to repackage it using Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers—the best method is likely to be Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers.
Oxygen is one of the leading contributors to dried milk’s decomposition. Exposure to oxygen can speed up spoilage, and moisture hastens this process. Storing it in an airtight container will help preserve its quality and extend its shelf life.
Milk stored in the freezer will increase its shelf life, but for easier use and reduced space usage, it should be frozen in smaller batches. Furthermore, powdered milk should be stored in a calm and dark area so that it does not absorb odors or nutrients from its environment.
