who thinks rodents won't chew into mylar? - they chew thru light sheet metal and extra heavy plastic used on IBC totes >>> one of the reasons why a proper long term storage system usage involves food grade buckets - bare mylar food bagging isn't recommended - you don't see the professional food companies doing anything else ....
I certainly don't think so - at least anymore.
I've read it fairly often on "knowledgeable and reputable" prepsites and took the advice at face value, much to my chagrin. I've not seen them chew through an IBC tote but then again most of the totes I've been around were either full of soap, some industrial chemicals or - in my case - rainwater catchment.
You bring up another good point, Warrior. Not that I use anything but recycled food grade buckets - darn if I'm going to spring for new ones when once-used buckets and lids are available for $1.10 if they're not free for the asking - I've always wondered in the back of my mind "why food grade"? What difference does it actually make if the food inside is vacuum-packed and sealed in good mylar?
This thought maybe comes from my ignorance because of not researching the chemistry of various plastics. I understand that plastic in general is not as impermeable as we think it to be, etc. etc., and that it can and will absorb into its matrix whatever is being contained inside. But if the product is not in itself toxic or objectionable, does it really make a difference other than to soothe our concerns?
It's kind of like the question I have when friends will buy wheat, corn, oats or other staples at the local feed store and bag them right up, while I'm paying 3x that amount for a 50-lb bag of same because it's labeled "fit for human consumption". Yet no one can tell me if there are extra sifting or washing steps involved. One wonders if the only difference is the paper bag used. That would piss me off but wouldn't surprise me.
