Oxygen Absorbers for Dehydrated Food:
Lock in Long-Term Freshness

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your dehydrated foods fresh for years instead of months, the secret is simple: use oxygen absorbers. These little packets may look unassuming, but they lock in long-term freshness, protect against mold and bugs, and help you build a reliable food storage pantry.

✅ Quick Answer: What are oxygen absorbers for dehydrated food?
Oxygen absorbers are small, food-safe packets filled with iron powder that remove oxygen from sealed containers. By eliminating oxygen, they prevent mold, bugs, and rancidity, extending the shelf life of dehydrated foods like grains, beans, jerky, and dried fruits for years.

Think of oxygen absorbers as your food’s insurance policy — once you learn how to use them, you’ll never store dried foods without them again.

Please, scroll down for my free oxygen absorber SIZE chart!

Illustration of mason jars containing oxygen absorbers with chart overlay and text tiny packets big protection.

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Why is that? Well, if you're interested in storing food for the long term, make sure to add desiccant packets inside your dehydrated vacuum-sealer bags BEFORE sealing them with your FoodSaver machine or (whichever brand of vacuum-sealer you have).


📄 Free Oxygen Absorber Size Chart

Container Type Oxygen Absorber Size Needed
Half-pint jars 50cc
Quart-sized jars or bags 100cc
10"x14" Mylar bags 300cc
Airtight buckets (food-grade) 2000cc

The reason for different sizes depends upon what size container your dehydrated foods are to be placed in.

For food storage bins, always use a 2000cc absorber to ensure proper oxygen removal. Do a screenshot, save, and print it!


What’s Really Inside an Oxygen Absorber (and Why It Saves Your Food)

an opened oxygen absorber and its contentsClick to read companion story on Medium

Oxygen absorbers are made of iron powder combined with salt. When exposed to oxygen, the iron oxidizes, effectively removing oxygen from the enclosed space. They are necessary for the following reasons:

  1. Slow oxidation - Oxygen accelerates food spoilage. Removing oxygen drastically slows rancidity, mold growth, and insect infestations.
  2. Moisture regulation - Iron oxidizing creates a small amount of heat that helps remove moisture condensation, keeping food crisp. Less moisture also inhibits mold as stated in #1.
  3. Storage life extension - With both oxygen and moisture minimized by our oxygen absorbers, the shelf life of sealed dried foods like grains, beans, nuts, and snack items is extended several years longer than without.

While air-tight containers alone help, adding oxygen absorbers provides an extra level of protection by actively targeting the main causes of food deterioration: oxygen and moisture.

Why Oxygen Absorbers Are the Lifeline of Long-Term Food Storage

Remember: Tuck a 100cc oxygen absorber inside the food vacuum bag JUST BEFORE you vacuum seal it, or drop an oxygen absorber in the Mason jar just before screwing on its lid.

If you're using a small (half-pint) Mason jar, use a 50cc oxygen absorber.

For quart-sized Mason jars, use a 100cc oxygen absorber.

Don’t Skip This Step: The #1 Reason Oxygen Absorbers Protect Your Food

The Oxygen Absorbers protect our dried foods by removing oxygen, and help deter insect damage. Using them extends the shelf life of our dried food by preventing mold growth, eliminating the need for commercial additives such as BHA, BHT, Sorbates, etc.

The oxygen absorber packets are non-toxic - which is good to know - as they are in direct contact with our dried foods!

Where to Buy Oxygen Absorbers (and How to Spot Fresh Ones)

NOTE:
50cc are perfect for small jars and containers. Ideal for keeping spices and smaller dried foods fresh.
100cc are great for quart-sized jars and vacuum-sealer bags. The most versatile size for everyday use.

PackFreshUSA 50cc Oxygen Absorbers

50cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • PackFreshUSA Oxygen Absorbers
  • 200-Pack
  • Food-Grade, Non-Toxic
Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers

100cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers
  • 100-Pack
  • Long-Term Food Storage Freshness Protection
Oxy-Sorb 300cc Oxygen Absorbers

300cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers
  • Bags of 20 (60 Count total)
  • Super Effective for Dried Goods
Oxy-Sorb 2000cc Oxygen Absorbers

2000cc Oxygen Absorbers

  • Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers
  • Pack of 10
  • I use these for airtight bins and buckets

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.


Pink Pill = GOOD

Blue/Purple Pill = BAD!

If your oxygen absorber pkg has a pink pill = good

When the 100-pack of oxygen absorbers arrives, BEFORE OPENING IT or putting it away, immediately check for the little pill in the bag.

It MUST BE PINK. If it's BLUE/PURPLE... that's not good.

• • • • •

The pill turns BLUE/PURPLE when the pill has absorbed oxygen, therefore telling you that the contents of the shipment are probably no good.

So before you OPEN that shipped package, check for a pink pill.

If it's blue/purple, return that order unopened for a replacement!

Blue/Purple Pill =
NO GOOD!

If your oxygen absorber pkg has purple pill = bad

The photo shows the pills that have turned from a very definite pink to an almost blueish-purple color.

This indicates that the oxygen absorbers contained in the bag are highly likely "no good."



Pro Tip: The Right Way to Store Bulk Oxygen Absorbers Without Wasting Them

If the pill is good i.e. "pink," I'll open the new 100-pack bag and take out 5 brand new quart-size vacuum-sealer bags.

I then place 20 oxygen absorbers from the 100-pack bag into each of the quart-size vacuum-sealer bags and immediately vacuum seal them all.

The reason for splitting them up is we don’t want to open and seal the original big bag over and over just to take out one or two oxygen absorbers. Doing that would soon ruin all the other oxygen absorbers (by air infiltration) before we even get a chance to use them!

This means I now have FIVE quart-size bags with 20 oxygen absorbers in each of them.

The pink pill from the original bag can go into one of the five bags—no need to throw it away, we can reuse it until it turns purple!


Oxygen absorber packs with the pink pill - when resealing, cut DIRECTLY below the seal so there's still room to reseal it!

Step-by-Step: How to Open and Reseal Oxygen Absorber Bags Without Ruining Them

When I'm ready to use an oxygen absorber, I simply cut directly beneath the old seal at the top of the bag (shown as a dashed line at the top of the bag in the photo above).

Cut as straight as you can and as close to the old seal as you can—then I remove as many packets as I need and put them in the dehydrated food bags that are waiting to be vacuum sealed. Then reseal that package.

Because you're cutting off the top seal each time and then resealing at the top again, you will be moving farther down the bag, if you will. What I'm prattling on about is if you just just cut the bag willy-nilly, you're wasting the bag and resealing possibility. Heck, if there's a long way of describing an easy step, I'll find it! LOL

When that resealing job is done, you're good to carry on with vacuuming your dehydrated food goodies. Don't forget to add the dang oxygen absorber in the bag before vacuuming... (Yep, it happens).


100cc oxygen absorbers being re-vacuum sealed

Reseal Opened Oxygen Absorber Bags ASAP

Re-vacuum and seal the oxygen absorber bag (see photo above) after taking out what you need.

I can re-seal one of the oxygen absorber bags about four times... and if I've any remaining packets and the bag gets 'too short' to reseal, I'll put those remaining packets into a new bag and vacuum seal it!

Everyday Oxygen Absorber Uses You Didn’t Know You Needed

I use oxygen absorbers for dehydrated food storage for the following reasons:

  • For dry foods - Oxygen absorbers prevent stale flavors, bugs, and rancidity in stored grains, beans, dried fruits, nuts, coffee, spices, and other dry goods.
  • In Mylar bags - I use oxygen absorbers inside Mylar bags to remove oxygen when packaging bulk foods for long-term storage.
  • Dehydrated foods - They help retain nutrients and prevent oxidation in dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and meats.
  • Environmentally friendly - Oxygen absorbers reduce food waste by keeping home-preserved foods fresh for longer periods.

FAQs: Oxygen Absorbers for Dehydrated Food

Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about using oxygen absorbers for dehydrated food, choosing the right size, and keeping your pantry stash safe for the long haul.

What are oxygen absorbers for dehydrated food?

Oxygen absorbers are small packets filled with food-safe iron powder and salt. When placed in vacuum-sealer bags or jars, they remove oxygen from the air, which helps prevent mold, bugs, and rancidity — extending the shelf life of your dehydrated foods.

How do oxygen absorbers work?

The iron inside reacts with oxygen through oxidation. As the iron rusts, it pulls oxygen out of the sealed container and reduces levels to nearly zero. This simple chemical reaction keeps your dried foods fresher for much longer.

Where can I buy oxygen absorbers?

Amazon is my go-to for fast delivery and trusted brands. Always check the freshness indicator pill inside the package — it should be pink. If it’s purple or blue, the absorbers are no longer good, and you should return them.

What foods need oxygen absorbers?

They’re best for low-moisture foods, such as:

  • Dried beans, peas, lentils
  • Rice, oats, wheat, barley
  • Pasta, dehydrated potatoes
  • Flour, sugar, salt
  • Nuts, seeds
  • Dried fruits and vegetables
  • Jerky
  • Coffee, tea, spices, baking ingredients
  • Even dog and pet treats

Always make sure foods are fully dried and stored in airtight containers.

Can I reuse oxygen absorbers?

No. Once an oxygen absorber has fully reacted with oxygen, it cannot be recharged or reused. Always use a fresh packet.

How do I know if my oxygen absorbers are still good?

Check the freshness pill in the bag. If it’s pink, the absorbers are still active. If it has turned purple or blue, they’ve been exposed to air and should be replaced.

What's the difference between oxygen absorbers and desiccant packs?

Oxygen absorbers remove oxygen, while desiccant packs remove moisture. They do different jobs, but you can often use both together for maximum food protection.

Do oxygen absorbers make food safe to eat forever?

No. They extend shelf life dramatically, but food still needs to be properly dehydrated, sealed airtight, and rotated over time. They don’t make food last forever.

Can oxygen absorbers touch food directly?

Yes. Oxygen absorbers are food-safe and non-toxic, so it’s fine if they come into direct contact with your dehydrated foods inside jars or vacuum-sealed bags.

How many oxygen absorbers should I use in a jar or bag?
  • Half-pint jar: 50cc
  • Quart jar or vacuum-sealer bag: 100cc
  • 5-gallon bucket: 2000cc

When in doubt, it’s always better to use a slightly larger absorber to ensure full protection.

Thanks for taking the time to learn about oxygen absorbers and why they’re essential for safe, long-term food storage. Once you start using them, you’ll see just how much fresher your dehydrated foods taste — whether it’s crunchy apple chips, hearty beans, or jerky for the trail.

Before you go, don’t miss grabbing my free 5 Dried Food Recipes You’ll Actually Love PDF (below). Inside, you’ll get step-by-step instructions for favorites like carrot soup, minestrone soup, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls. They’re delicious, easy, and a great way to put your food storage to work!

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