How to Seal Mylar Bags? [4 Easy Ways]

Mylar bags have become a popular option for storing products and keeping perishable items safe for longer periods of time· These bags are made of plastic material known as P·T·E· and foil, which makes it easier to seal them· All you need to do is to heat this material up to create a seal· In this article, we will show you how you can seal up your mylar bags and how efficient and time-saving it can be·

What Things Are Needed Before Sealing the Mylar Bag?

You need to be sure that you have all of the supplies before sealing mylar bags· Prepare your food, and have the appropriate number of Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and your heat sealer ready· Remember to label supplies like stickers and a pen· For extra protection, consider using a food-safe bucket to store your sealed Mylar bags·

4 Easy Ways to Seal Mylar Bags Properly

You might be wondering how you can seal your custom mylar bags for food storage; worry not; here is a list of 4 easy ways to seal mylar bags properly·

1· Use Clothes Iron 

Almost everyone has this appliance in their home, and it is very effective at sealing bags· To set it to wool, select the wool setting· With a few passes over the bag, you can achieve a great seal that is safe for both the bag and the iron· 

2· Hair Straightener

Use a good quality clamp to close the bag ends if you have one· Place each bag end within the clamp and run it from end to end, sealing the bag· The best straightener for this is a metal one, not a ceramic one· 

3· Vacuum sealer to seal the bag

Vacuum sealers aren’t essential for sealing Mylar bags, but they can be helpful· They remove excess air before sealing, making your packages tighter and giving them a professional look· While helpful, vacuum sealing alone won’t offer the same level of long-term protection as using oxygen absorbers· If you already own a vacuum sealer, it’s a convenient addition to your Mylar bag sealing process, but not a requirement·

4· Food Saver

The food saver is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of sealing bags· Smaller plastic items like gallon-sized and quart sized bags can be handled in this manner· There is, however, a need for caution· The temperature in a food saver does not reach a point where Mylar can be heated· It is also possible that the sealer will create the seal before the vacuum is applied, thereby decreasing its effectiveness· When using oxygen absorbers, it is okay to have some air in the bag (removing the harmful air (oxygen) is their responsibility, after all)·

How much heat does it take to seal mylar bags?

There isn’t a single temperature that works for all Mylar bags, but here’s what you need to know:

Temperature Range:

Hair Straightening Iron: Most people have success with a hair straightening iron set between 375-425 degrees Fahrenheit·

Impulse Sealer: These specialized tools come with adjustable temperature settings, so you’ll need to experiment to find the best heat level for your bags·

Factors Affecting Heat:

Mylar Bag Thickness: Thicker bags generally need higher temperatures to create a good seal·

Type of Sealer: Impulse sealers often give you more precise control than hair straighteners·

How to Find the Right Temperature:

Start Low: Begin with a lower heat setting·

Test Seal: Seal a small section of the bag and let it cool· Try to pull the sealed area apart· If it breaks easily, the seal is weak·

Increase Gradually: Keep increasing heat in small increments until you get a strong, unbreakable seal·

Important Note: Too much heat can melt or damage your Mylar bag·

Where to Store the Mylar Bags?

Store sealed Mylar bags in a cool, dark, and dry location like a pantry, basement, or closet·. Avoid areas with temperature fluctuations or direct sunlight· For extra protection and to deter pests, place them in food-safe buckets or plastic totes·

How long will Mylar bags last?

The longevity of Mylar bags for food storage depends on several factors:

Quality of the Mylar: True Mylar is incredibly durable· Look for thick bags (at least 4 mil) from reputable suppliers·

Sealing: A strong, airtight seal is crucial· Poorly sealed bags won’t protect your food for the long term·

Oxygen Absorbers: Using the proper amount of high-quality oxygen absorbers removes the main enemy of long-term food storage·

Storage Conditions: Mylar bags must be stored in a cool, dark, dry area safe from pests and damage·

If all these factors are optimal, Mylar bags can protect dry foods for 20-30 years· However, if any of the factors above are compromised, the shelf life will be dramatically reduced·

Important Note: Mylar is less effective for storing foods with high moisture or fat content· These foods are prone to spoilage even with proper sealing·