Mike

Gatorade is a popular sports drink for athletes because of it’s high calories and electrolytes. It’s a fantastic thirst quencher while also helping maintain energy when playing sports or when you exert physical strain.

Does powdered Gatorade expire? Eventually powdered Gatorade can expire but it can last for years if stored correctly. This makes it great for SHTF and storing for emergency situations.

Why Drink Gatorade and other Sports Drinks

Gatorade was developed in the 1960s in the United States as a way to help athletes perform better during long football games and other sports.

When doing things like playing sports matches or other physical activity we sweat. Our bodies excrete electrolytes like sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, and even magnesium.

These electrolytes all serve important purposes in the function of our bodies and without them we will quickly notice negative side effects. Because of this, we need to replenish these elements through food and drink.

If our bodies become depleted of electrolytes it can cause things like muscle craps, headaches, and cognitive impairment. Drinks like Gatorade are designed to help quickly replenish these electrolytes.

In addition to the electrolytes, Gatorade also contains sugar for energy and flavoring. Originally there was just one flavor but now there are numerous flavors featuring sweet fruity notes.

Since the creation of Gatorade the market for sports drinks and electrolyte drinks has exploded. Many new products are on the market which incorporate electrolytes and are marketed as an energy drink and even energy chewing gum.

Types of Gatorade.

There are two main kinds of Gatorade available. Bottled gatorade and powdered gatorade mix. Both are commonly available and contain the same ingredients (with the exception of water).

The main difference is powdered gatorade mix must be reconstituted by adding water. Because powdered gatorade does not contain water it can have a longer shelf life than Gatorade bottles.

Gatorade Bottle Shelf Life

Unopened bottled gatorade will typically have a shelf life of between one and three years. The time will depend on when it was manufactured and when you bought it. An open bottle of gatorade should be consumed within five days.

One thing to note, Gatorade has a best by date. This means the product is best to be consumed before that date.

In most cases the Gatorade will taste mostly fine and be safe to consume well past the best by date. You can usually find the best by date on the bottle’s neck.

If a product has an expiration date you must consume it before the date. Consumption beyond the expiration date may be unsafe.

Powder Gatorade Sports drink Shelf Life

Unopened Gatorade mix has a best by date printed on the container of typically one to three years. The benefit of powered gatorade mix is that if stored properly it can be good to consume for much longer.

The Best way to Store Gatorade Long Term

If you’re adding Gatorade to your emergency food supplies or prepper stockpile you’re going to want to use powdered gatorade. It can be preserved much longer than bottles of Gatorade.

For information on storing rice check out our post here.

Considerations When Storing Gatorade Long Term

When storing any food products long term you must protect from the following:

• Moisture

• Oxygen

• Pests

• Sunlight

• Extreme temperature fluctuations

There are many ways to extend the usable life of Gatorade. The best method to store unopened Gatorade mix long term is by using mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and food grade buckets.

This method will protect the Gatorade from moisture, oxygen, sunlight, and pests. Excess moisture may lead to mold growth. By placing the sealed mylar bags in a bucket you will also have redundant seals should your bucket or a bag fail.

If done correctly, this method will extend the shelf life of your gatorade mix for many years. This technique can also be applied to many other electrolyte drinks.

What You’ll Need to keep Gatorade Powder Fresh Long Term

1. Mylar bags

2. Vacuum sealer

3. Oxygen Absorbers

4. Food-grade buckets (or normal buckets)

5. Gatorade mix

How to prepare your Gatorade for Long Term Storage

1. Place your Gatorade Powder (in it’s original container) in the mylar bags.

2. Place an appropriate sized oxygen absorber in the bag.

3. Vacuum seal the bag

4. Neatly place the bags in your bucket

5. Store your sealed buckets in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Other Ways to Store Gatorade Powder

If you choose not to use mylar bags, an airtight container can work to improve the long term storage of Gatorade powder.

Some people use mason or a glass jar along with oxygen absorbers to store their Gatorade. The downside is these containers can be fragile and they do not protect from light. You can place the tightly sealed containers in boxes or buckets to protect from light and breakage. For details on proper oxygen absorber usage check out our post.

How to Store Unopened Bottles of Gatorade

Even though bottled Gatorade cannot last as long as the powder, it can still be stored for several years.

Bottled Gatorade should be kept in a dry and cool place out of direct sunlight. High temperature may cause the Gatorade to deteriorate faster.

There is no need to refrigerate unopened gatorade bottles but it is best to keep it near room temperature.

Storing Opened Gatorade

Once you open bottled gatorade the airtight seal has been broken. This exposes the Gatorade to contamination from air and anything else that is able to get into the bottle.

If you’re drinking directly from the bottle you are also contaminating the Gatorade with bacteria from your mouth. This will dramatically reduce the time you can store the Gatorade bottle.

If you have opened the bottle it is best to drink it within five days. You should store the bottle in a refrigerator when you’re not drinking it.

If you freeze gatorade it can extend the shelf life if you have already opened the bottle. By freezing gatorade it will prevent the growth of any bacteria.

You can freeze a bottle of Gatorade but be sure to remove some or else the bottle may break. I like to use an ice cube tray to make convenient Gatorade ice cubes to add to other drinks.

How do I Know if my Gatorade has Spoiled?

Gatorade drinks can last a long time past the best by date if stored correctly. That doesn’t mean Gatorade can’t make you sick if you drink it beyond the date on the bottle.

Check your Gatorade before drinking it to be sure it is safe to drink. If the bottle is unopened make sure it looks normal. If you see any discoloration or particles floating in the liquid that is a clear sign that something is wrong.

Even the powdered mix can spoil after a period of time or if it was not stored correctly.

Old gatorade may start to clump or harden when it has been compromised. This is not always a sign it’s spoiled but something to consider.

Bad Gatorade may also have an unusual or sour smell. Pay attention to the taste when first trying the Gatorade. It you notice a bitter taste or other unusual flavor it may be a sign the Gatorade has spoiled.

If you have any doubts about the expired Gatorade, do not consume it.

Jello is tasty treat many know and love. It’s cheap, tastes great, and can be a fun wiggly dessert. People use it for all kinds of creative jello shapes. Kids love rubbery jello desserts and jello shots can add a unique experience to parties.

The gelatin found in jello is also surprisingly nutritious and high in protein. There are also numerous health benefits associated with consuming gelatin on a regular basis.

Powdered dry jello mix can have a surprisingly long shelf life if stored properly. For this reason it can be a great idea to add some jello to your emergency food supply.

Types of Jello

The main forms of jello that you will find are powdered jello and ready to eat prepared jello.

Ready to eat jello will generally be found in refrigerator section of most grocery stores. Powdered jello can usually be found in the baking isle.

Lastly, there are jello pudding pops which must be frozen and aren’t suitable for long term storage.

All jello typically has the following main ingredients:

• Sugar

• Gelatin

• Food coloring

• Flavoring

Does Jello Expire?

The short answer is yes, it can eventually expire. How long will jello last depends entirely on how you store powdered jello or prepared ready to eat jello.

Ready to eat jello generally won’t last more than a few months if the package is sealed and kept within a refrigerator.

How long does jello last?

If you keep jello gelatin mix powder in it’s original packaging in the pantry you can expect it to last about a year. The jello mix I just bought at the store has a best by date of 11 months from the date of purchase. Beyond that you may notice the jello powder to start to harden. The dessert may not have the best flavor if you decide to make it.

If you store jello power in vacuum sealed mylar bags with oxygen absorbers you can expect a shelf life of two years or more.

I recently opened a package of jello I have had in storage for over five years and it still tasted fine.

How long does prepared jello last?

Prepared and packaged jello won’t last more than a few months in the refrigerator. Freezing jello can extend the shelf life over a year if it is inside an airtight container.

If you decide to freeze jello you may find your jello turns to a watery liquid when thawed.

Eating jello past expiration date

If jello has been stored in a cool and dry place in the original package you can safely eat it beyond the best by date. This date simply means the flavor, texture, and nutrients of the jello will be best before this date.

Better storage methods will preserve the jello well past the date on the package.

Pre packaged prepared jello can be eaten past the best by date but one must be much more careful. Check to see if there is any sign of mold or dark spots on the jello. If the jello has a sour smell or unusual color that is an indication you have spoiled jello and it is not safe to eat.

Unless you are in a dire situation or if there is any doubt, avoid eating prepared packaged jello beyond the printed date. Food safety is not something to mess with.

How to maximize jello shelf life

If you’re looking to add jello to your prepper stockpile you’re going to want it stored correctly.

The best way to store boxed dry mix jello beyond expiration date is by using vacuum sealed mylar bags with oxygen absorbers placed within food grade (or normal) buckets.

If you’re interested in learning how to store rice long term check out our post here.

This method protects the jello from oxygen, moisture, light, and pests. All of which can spoil your jello and reduce it’s shelf life.

An alternative method to store jello is by using air tight containers. Glass mason jars or other plastic food safe containers will help preserve jello’s shelf life. If you include oxygen absorber better still.

Regardless of your chosen storage method, your containers should be kept in a cool dry environment.

How to prepare powdered jello desserts

One of the benefits of jello is how simple it is to prepare with limited resources. All you need is the jello mix, boiling water, and a container. It’s best to follow the instructions on the package of jello mix but here is a rough guide that should work for most jello

What you need:

1. Jello mix

2. Boiling water

3. A container to let the jello set

How to make homemade jello:

1. Mix about two cups of boiling water with twelve ounces of jello powder.

2. Stir until combined completely.

3. Pour the liquid into your container

4. Refrigerate until firm

Storing dry pasta is one of the best ways you can build out your emergency long term food storage supplies.

Not only is dried pasta cheap, readily available, and delicious but it can have a very long shelf life when stored properly.

Lets get into the nitty gritty details on how to store pasta long term. If you’re interested in how to store other foods like rice long term check our out post on the topic here.

What will cause your dried pasta to spoil?

You need to protect your long term food storage from the following. This applies to nearly all foods being stored long term.

• Moisture

• Oxygen

• Pests

• Sunlight

• Extreme temperature fluctuations

The best method for long term storage of dry pasta is by using mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and food grade buckets. This method protects the pasta from moisture, oxygen, sunlight, and pests. You also have redundant seals with the bucket and each individual mylar bag. Check out our post on oxygen absorbers to learn more.

How long can I store dried pasta?

Without any special care, most pasta can last two years in the pantry.

Some gluten free pasta contains extra oils which will reduce it’s shelf life.

In ideal conditions, pasta can remain edible for up to thirty years. If you’re interested to learn how to maximize your pasta storage keep reading.

What kind of uncooked pasta should I choose for long term storage?

There are numerous varieties of pasta. Most will work well for long term storage.

I prefer smaller pasta shapes because they can be packed more tightly in mylar bags and food grade buckets.

Avoid pasta with sharp edges such as bowtie pasta. Sharp edges can puncture your mylar bags.

Consider cooking effort and time of the pasta you choose. Smaller, thinner pasta cooks faster than large thick pieces of pasta. Faster cooking will help you conserve fuel and save time.

Non-traditional kinds of pasta such as vegetable pasta, egg noodles, egg pasta, flax pasta, semolina pasta, whole grain pasta, and buckwheat noodles may have shorter shelf life than traditional wheat pasta due to the extra oils and ingredients that may be present.

How to store pasta long term

I will cover multiple methods to store your pasta starting with the most effective.

Vacuum sealing pasta is a fundamental step. Food stored using a vacuum sealing method will have a longer shelf life than if kept in the original package.

A food vacuum sealer will typically be able to seal mylar bags but you can also use a hot iron or clothes iron for sealing.

Food safe buckets combined with the mylar bag method will improve pasta shelf life dramatically.

Mylar vacuum bags with Oxygen absorbers inside food grade buckets

This is the best and most effective method to store pasta long term. It’s also the best method to store other dry foods.

1. Remove your pasta from it’s original package and place it within mylar bags

   1. Choose an appropriate bag size. I like 1 gallon or half gallon bags most of the time. This keeps most of your food in sealed bags until you need it.

2. Place a oxygen absorbers in the mylar bags.

   1. Make sure to choose the correct size oxygen absorbers for your bag size.

   2. Half gallon bags need 200cc oxygen absorbers and 1 gallon bags need 400ccs.

3. Use a vacuum sealer to remove all the air from the bags and seal them.

4. Place the sealed mylar bags in food grade buckets with lids.

   1. Since your food is already sealed in mylar bags you can also use normal buckets from the hardware store.

5. Seal the buckets with lids

   1. I highly recommend Gamma lids. They are a screw-on lid that makes opening and closing buckets much easier than conventional bucket lids.

Canning jars with Oxygen absorbers

This is also a highly effective pasta storage method. Canning jars are an airtight container and they are very resistant to rodents and insects.

The downside to glass jars is they are fragile and don’t protect the pasta from light.

1. Remove your pasta from it’s original package and place it inside your jars.

   1. Fill the jars to the top to remove as much air as possible.

2. Place oxygen absorbers inside the jars

3. Attach the lids

4. Place the jars in a safe place for storage

   1. I like to keep multiple jars in buckets or cardboard boxes which helps protect them from damage and light.

   2. Be sure to store everything in a cool, dry place for optimal shelf life.

Food grade buckets with oxygen absorbers

Long term storage of pasta can be done simply using food grade buckets.

I don’t like this method because if the bucket gets cracked or fails your entire 5 gallon supply of pasta may be destroyed. If your pasta is also sealed in mylar bags it will still be protected should the bucket seal fail.

1. Remove your pasta from it’s original package and place it inside your jars.

   1. Fill the bucket to the top to remove as much air as possible.

2. Disperse oxygen absorbers throughout the bucket

   1. A 5 gallon bucket will need 2000ccs of oxygen absorbers.

   2. Using several smaller oxygen absorbers can be used to spread the coverage.

   3. Seal the bucket using the lid.

Vacuum sealer bags

Basic food vacuum sealers and plastic vacuum sealer bags are a poor choice to store pasta long term. The plastic bags are not moisture resistant or airtight. Eventually air and moisture will permeate the bags and cause your pasta to spoil.

Plastic vacuum sealer bags are not really an improvement over the plastic bags your pasta was in when you bought it.

Shelf life of pasta stored this way will be a max of two years.

Pest Prevention

All preppers need to be mindful of common pests such as rodents and insects. Improperly stored pasta or other foods can easily be contaminated or destroyed if pests are able to get to them.

Ensure your storage containers are kept in a cool, dry place free of wild temperature changes.

Vacuum sealing your mylar bags properly will keep things airtight and prevent moisture and insects.

Using durable, pest-resistant containers like a food grade bucket, glass jars, or metal cans will protect your pasta stores from rodents.

If you’re worried about insect eggs you can freeze pasta to kill them. Also, if you’re using an oxygen absorber it will prevent insect eggs from surviving.

For those looking to get into long term food storage rice should be near the top of your list. Not only is it versatile and tastes good but rice is one of the easiest foods for long term food storage.

Rice is a quintessential food for SHTF and emergency food storage. If you’re not familiar with the meaning of SHTF check out our post on the topic here.

Why store rice long term?

• Rice stored properly lasts a long time.

• Bulk rice is cheap and readily available!

• White rice tastes great!

• Rice is rich in calories

• Rice is easy to prepare

Can rice go bad?

As with every other food, rice goes bad if exposed to moisture, oxygen, and heat. Moisture is especially problematic due to rice being a sponge.

When stored at a high moisture level, rice can absorb moisture and eventually become moldy.

Oxygen, heat, and light can also cause problems with rice because it can cause the oils in the rice to go rancid very quickly. This is why brown rice has shorter shelf life than white rice.

Choosing your rice for long term food storage

White rice is generally the best choice when it comes to long term food storage. There are numerous types of rice available and they all have different shelf life depending on how they are prepared and stored.

Unlike white rice, brown rice has a much shorter shelf life than other rice due to it’s natural oils. Wild rice is much more difficult to prepare than white rice and I generally avoid it.

If your goal is to store rice long term, white and wild rice has the longest shelf life. Even basic storage methods can keep these rices good for up to five years. If you take it a step further you can store white and wild rice thirty years or more by ensuring the rice is stored in an oxygen free container.

If you’re looking to store other foods like pasta long term, check out our other post here.

Rice Storage Containers

It’s critical that you choose the right storage containers when preparing your rice. There are numerous storage methods and each has it’s own pros and cons.

Your containers must prevent pests from contaminating your rice. Preventing your rice from moisture and oxygen exposure is also critical.

Storing Rice Long Term

The best storage method to store rice long term is by filling mylar bags with rice and an oxygen absorber then placing the sealed bags in food grade buckets.

I’ll cover some alternative, less effective methods later.

What you’ll need:

Rice

White rice has the best shelf life and tastes best to me.

One five gallon bucket will hold about 35lbs of rice.

Food-grade buckets

Since you are using mylar bags normal buckets from Home Depot will also work.

I still prefer food-grade buckets if possible.

Bucket lids

Gamma lids are special bucket lids which thread onto the bucket. They allows you to easily access the contents of the bucket and reseal as necessary.

Traditional bucket lids are inconvenient but they get the job done.

Mylar vacuum sealer bags

Choose mylar bags in a size that allows you to keep most of your rice sealed. This helps protect your remaining rice from contamination as you start to use your supply.

I like 1/2 gallon bags for this reason. Some people use 1 gallon bags.

Food-safe oxygen absorbers

Choose a size appropriate for the mylar bags you are using

1/2 gallon bags need 200-400cc oxygen absorbers

1 gallon bags should have 400cc oxygen absorbers

You can’t use too much oxygen absorbers. If in doubt, use more.

For a deep-dive into oxygen absorbers go here.

Preparing rice storage containers

Place your rice in mylar bags

Put an oxygen absorber in the mylar bags

Vacuum seal the mylar bags

Place the vacuum sealed bags in your bucket

Label your buckets with the date they were sealed

Store your buckets in a cool, dry place off the ground

Other rice storage methods

Freezing rice

White rice can last nearly indefinitely when frozen. Freezing rice also kills any bugs in the rice. You can put the rice in an airtight container and simply place it in your freezer space.

The main downside to this method is it requires electricity to power your freezer. Many natural disasters will cause electrical outages and I prefer not to rely on my freezer. Secondly, you’re reliant on your freezer not breaking. In an emergency situation getting your freezer fixed will be a challenge.

Airtight container with Oxygen Absorbers

Mason jars and other airtight containers can work well in conjunction with oxygen absorbers to store rice long term. As long as you keep the containers in a cool and dry place out of the sun you can easily keep rice for at least 5 years.

Be sure to use large enough oxygen absorbers to ensure you have an oxygen free container.

Vacuum Bags

These are your standard plastic vacuum bags. They can work ok but these bags are not totally moisture or airtight. Eventually your rice can spoil using this method. It’s only marginally more effective than the plastic package your rice came in.

Dealing With Pests

No matter how you configure your rice storage containers, pests will try to get in. Be sure to periodically check your rice storage for signs of pest intrusion.

Rodents will try to gnaw through containers. I’ve had storage buckets compromised by rodents. Although buckets are still very resistant to rodent damage.

Rice weevils

These are going to be one of your main concerns when storing rice long term. The small insects will contaminate and damage your stored rice.

If you’re using oxygen absorbers in vacuum sealed bags the lack of oxygen in the bag will kill rice bugs.

An alternative method is to freeze rice which will kill any rice bugs.

If you discover rice weevils in your rice, they do not make the rice unsafe to eat should you absolutely need to.

Rodents

Depending on how you’re storing rice long term you may be dealing with rodents. Glass jars and metal cans are essentially rodent proof.

Food grade buckets are very rodent resistant but I have had rodents chew into a bucket before.

How much rice do I need to store?

According to FEMA they recommend having at least 72 hours worth of food and water stored for emergencies.

This is not nearly enough in my opinion. I’d have at least a month of food and water per person in your household if possible. More is better.

A five gallon bucket full of rice will have about 24 days worth of food for an adult if all you ate was rice.

According to Utah State University you should have 25-60 pounds of rice per person per year. Total grains in an emergency food pantry should be approximately 300lbs per person per year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rice Storage

What kind of rice should I store?

White rice has the longest shelf life of any kind of rice. It doesn’t matter if it’s long grain white rice or short grain. Basmati or any other variety of white rice, it doesn’t matter.

Can I use zip lock bags to store rice?

Ziplock bags are not airtight or moisture proof. Eventually air and moisture will get to your rice. A better alternative would be mylar vacuum bags, mason jars or other airtight containers.

Can I store rice directly in food grade buckets?

Yes, you can store rice directly in food grad buckets but I don’t recommend it. Firstly, there is potential for the buckets to fail causing your rice to spoil. Having your rice also in a mylar bag will help in this scenario.

Secondly, if you need to start eating your rice you will have to open the entire bucket thus exposing all contents to contamination. By rationing your rice into smaller mylar bags it protects your supplies.

Can I use instant rice for long term food storage?

Yes you can. It will keep just as long as normal uncooked white rice.

How can I prevent rice weevils in my rice?

You can freeze your rice before sealing in mylar bags. This will kill any potential insects. Also, if you’re using a airtight container with oxygen absorbers the bugs will not have air to breath.

What if I find weevils or worms in my rice?

Your rice will still be safe to eat. Although I’d try and remove any bugs or worms before eating. You can freeze rice to kill any bugs or worms in the rice.