Storing food in the garage can be a great way to maximize storage space, but it’s important to make sure that you are storing your food properly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the types of food that are safe to store in the garage, as well as the best practices for doing so. Keep reading to learn more about what food is safe to store in garage.
As temperatures start to drop and the winter months begin to roll in, many of us start to ask ourselves, “What food is safe to store in the garage?” The garage can be an ideal place to store food, as it often stays cool, dry, and dark – all of which are favorable conditions for food storage. But, it’s important to know what foods are safe to store there, and which are not.
When it comes to storing food in the garage, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, all food should be stored at least six inches off the ground and away from walls, windows, and vents. This will create an ideal climate for the food and help prevent contamination. Secondly, any food stored in the garage should be in airtight containers and labeled with the date of purchase.
When it comes to foods that are safe to store in the garage, canned goods are a great choice. Canned goods are very durable and can last for many years if stored in a cool, dry place. Other non-perishable items such as rice, nuts, and dried beans can also be stored safely.
Fresh produce, on the other hand, is not recommended for garage storage. Produce can spoil quickly, and the temperature fluctuations that occur in a garage can cause them to go bad even faster. Frozen foods can also be stored in the garage, as long as they remain frozen and are not exposed to air.
It’s also important to remember that the garage can be a great place for storing pet food. Pet food should be stored in airtight containers and labeled with the date of purchase. Be sure to check the expiration date on the food before feeding it to your pet, as some foods may have gone bad while stored in the garage.
Overall, storing food in the garage can be an ideal solution for those looking to keep their food safe and fresh. As long as it is stored properly, canned goods, dry goods, and frozen foods can all do well in the garage. Just be sure to keep an eye on expiration dates and keep all food stored at least six inches off the ground.
Which Conditions Matter for Food Storage and Why?
While it’s great to have lots of supplies, there are some things that can be too expensive to always have on hand. Luckily, you don’t need fancy equipment to know how to cook and eat well!
Most people already know about baking bread and making oatmeal before starting school or work, but what about cooking with vegetables and meat? If you’re ever forced to stay at home because of COVID-19, your diet will go out the window unless you are very organized.
Luckily, we’ve gathered some tips here to help you get started on eating well while self-isolating!
Don’t worry, this article contains all the information you’ll need to know. Starting from fresh produce to cooked meats, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about storing foods properly in your garage or other cool space.
Temperature
The two main things that affect how safe your foods are in our car storage methods is temperature and time.
Just like with cold garages, colder temperatures will preserve the nutritional value of some foods and help prevent spoiling.
However, too cold of a garage can be unsafe for another reason: frost!
Frost can damage or even destroy your car’s electrical systems, which would therefore not work properly. This could also cause accidents if you have to pull out of the garage or use your vehicle for business or personal purposes.
So make sure to check the weather forecast to see what kind of precipitation is predicted and find a way to shelter your car from any freezing rain or snowfall!
Time also plays an important role in ensuring the safety of your stored foods. As mentioned before, eating spoiled or contaminated food may hurt your health, so make sure your foods do not go bad longer than needed is very important.
Humidity
Another major factor that can have an effect on your baking ware is humidity. As mentioned before, moisture is very important for successful baking.
When dry air comes into contact with foods or liquids, it will eventually be absorbed by the foods or liquid. This process happens when you bake, fry, roast, or cook most foods- except when we are talking about wet or dried-out doughs or batters.
As these foods take in water from the surrounding area, they expand slightly. This may cause cracks in certain products (like bread) or even overflow due to capacity limits. Therefore, make sure to check your recipes ahead of time to see if this applies to you!
We cannot tell you how many times people forget this tip because they use their oven or frying station every day. However, let’s say you did not use yours for the past two days and there was a party next door. You would like to get some cooking done too!
Sunlight
While it seems obvious, most people forget about this major component of your stored food safety. Unfortunately, sunlight can have some unexpected effects on many types of foods. Some examples include color changes or chemical reactions when exposed to light. This could change the flavor or texture of the food, which may not be desirable.
The foods should always be kept dry in your garage
Storing any kind of food outside of the home will usually mean that it will go bad. This is not only annoying but can also hurt you or someone else who eats spoiled food.
General tips for storing leftovers include using either insulated containers or refrigeration. If keeping them cold is too expensive, then use plastic bags or tins as coverings to keep them protected from the air.
However, this does not prevent some types of unsafe bacteria from growing or eating away at the food. Bacteria may grow in an oxygen-rich environment so if you do have to leave your food exposed, make sure to put up a good barrier such as putting out glass bowls or packing hot dogs in zip-top bags.
Keep animals out
Storing foods outside is great if you like that kind of thing, but there are some limitations when it comes to protecting your stored foods from hungry critters.
First off, make sure your shelter is tight-fitting so nothing can get inside or anything can get out. You want to be careful about using coverings for walls and roofs as they may not keep everything out. For example, grass can let in rain which could cause damage to unprotected foods.
Animals also need to have access to water and waste disposal. If possible, connect these to your home!
Lastly, watch out for rodents. They will eat almost anything and quickly!
Never put leftover foods at another house, bag them up, and pack them away in your own home! This way, their safety is guaranteed here.
Can you store food in the garage in winter?
When temperatures drop, the last place you want to store food is in your garage. With temperatures dipping well below freezing, the cold conditions could ruin your food and leave you with a big mess to clean up.
But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on storing food in your garage. With a few precautions and some strategic planning, you can store food in your garage this winter—and still keep it safe and fresh.
First and foremost, you need to consider the temperature of your garage. If you live in an area with harsh winters and temperatures that dip below freezing, you’ll need to find a way to keep your garage warm. Consider installing additional insulation in your garage, sealing up any cracks in the walls, and investing in a space heater to keep the temperature regulated.
If you don’t want to invest in any additional insulation, you can still store food in your garage—as long as it’s a well-sealed container. Mason jars, airtight plastic containers, and vacuum-sealed bags are all great options for keeping food fresh in your garage.
It’s also important to make sure that your food is stored away from any direct sunlight. The heat from the sun can cause food to spoil or go bad quickly, so make sure it’s tucked away in a dark corner or tucked behind boxes or other items.
Make sure you check the temperature of your garage periodically throughout the winter. If it drops below freezing, you’ll need to move your food to a warmer location—or risk having it spoil.
So, can you store food in the garage in winter? The answer is yes—as long as you take the necessary precautions and find ways to keep the temperature regulated. With the right planning and storage containers, you can keep your food safe and fresh this winter—even if it’s in your garage.
What Household Items Should I Avoid Storing in My Garage?
The garage is a great place to store tools, extra items, and vehicles, but there are certain items you should avoid keeping in the garage. While these items may be convenient, they can be dangerous if not stored correctly and can cause damage to your home and possessions. Before you start filling up your garage, here’s a list of items to avoid keeping in the garage.
Firewood
If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, you may be tempted to store firewood in your garage for easy access. But firewood is a major fire hazard and can easily damage your possessions and your home if it’s not stored correctly. The best place to store firewood is outdoors, away from your home and other flammable materials.
Propane
Propane is a flammable gas and should never be stored in an enclosed space. You should never store propane tanks in your garage as they can easily explode in the event of a fire or other emergency. It’s best to store propane tanks outside in an upright, ventilated position and away from any heat sources.
A Spare Refrigerator
If you’re storing a spare refrigerator in your garage, you should make sure it’s insulated and well-ventilated. A refrigerator’s condenser coils should never be exposed as this can pose a fire hazard, so it’s important to make sure the refrigerator is properly installed and vented.
Wooden Furniture
Wooden furniture can quickly break down when exposed to moisture, so it’s best to avoid storing it in the garage. Moisture can cause furniture to warp and rot, so it’s best to keep wooden furniture indoors in a dry, well-ventilated area.
Bedding and Clothing
It’s best to avoid storing bedding and clothing in a garage as they can attract pests and become damaged if exposed to moisture. It’s also important to make sure any bedding or clothing stored in a garage is well away from any flammable materials, as they can easily catch fire.
Paper Products
Paper products are also prone to damage when exposed to moisture and can attract pests, so it’s best to avoid storing them in your garage. It’s best to store paper products in a dry, well-ventilated area away from any flammable materials.
Paint
Paint can easily become damaged and unusable when exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture, so it’s best to avoid storing it in your garage. Paint should always be stored in a cool, dry place away from any heat sources and flammable materials.
Gasoline
Gasoline is a highly flammable material and should never be stored in an enclosed space. Gasoline should be stored in an approved container and kept away from any flammable materials. It’s also important to make sure the container is properly sealed and stored in an area away from any ignition sources.
Electronics
Electronics can easily be damaged or destroyed when exposed to extreme temperatures, so it’s best to avoid storing them in a garage. Electronics should be stored in a cool, dry place away from any heat sources and flammable materials.
The garage is a great place to store items, but it’s important to remember that certain items should be avoided. By avoiding these items and storing them correctly, you can protect your home and possessions and keep your garage safe.
How to Make Your Garage Safe for Food Storage?
While it’s not ideal, your garage can be a good place to keep some foods that will go bad eventually, like dried fruits and veggies or even raw meat if you know what precautions you take.
However, this isn’t recommended unless you have a freezer already so these items don’t need to spoil before they get packed away.
If you do happen to run out of space in your fridge, then keeping some food outside of it is an okay way to make more room. We recommend having at least two-thirds full when doing this since there are sometimes gases given off by certain things while they’re rotting as well.
Overall though, we wouldn’t advise using your garage for anything other than long-term food storage.