Dry goods you may be "OK" , wet canned foods will be destroyed by the long term high heat.

@MTShawn is an expert on this stuff btw.

 

Are there any publications on storing rice for example and what the heat ranges are?

HK

 

There was wheat found in pharaoh's tombs that was still edible. After all, the original seeds were used to laying out in the sun and 120 degree Egyptian sun. They probably loved it.
I have eaten Ramen stored in my Houston garage for at least 10 years and it tasted like new. I think dry, dry food can last a long, long time even in the heat.

Adding to Cajun's idea, it would be a small matter to build a box out of foam board and duct tape in your attic and attach a $150 window unit to it. https://www.lowes.com/pd/LG-Electro...iAiIflv07EQcUoc5lwXPcynTQ5t6pKGFtdDYK_NoGq4dLlsk48IWcaAnxCEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Or as Zeke once suggested, divert a central A/C duct through it.

 

I would think the heat would not be good for it, could degrade the nutritional value of the food.

 

everything i have read have said even 70 or 80 degrees shortens storage time to a few years,for each increase above 70,i dont think 130+ would let storage life be more than a few years

 

Perhaps, you could install a large storage box in the attic, insulate it well, and put a small(5k BTU or smaller) window AC unit on it. The hot air exhaust would dissipate from the attic.

 

I think storing food at at 130F is a bad idea. But if you are going to go that route can you lower the temperature a bit? Putting in eve and ridge venting, or gable venting. Maybe even powered vents. Or put the food in direct contact with the ceiling, cover it in insulation and then cover the insulation in a radiant barrier. That would keep the temperature of the food closer to the temperature of the living space below.

Have you used up the space under your bed, under your dressers, and in your couch? all would be better places than your hot attic.

Could you build an insulated box in the attic and pipe forced air from the house into the box to keep food in the box at a better temp?

Can you move non food items from your house to the attic and use the freed up space for food in the house?

If you do plan to put dry goods in the attic don't expect to get many years out of it. I also wouldn't store pinto beans(they go hard) or brown rice(goes rancid) up there. Neither are good for LTS in the best conditions so would probably do worse in that heat.

Can you put the food in a barrel and store it outside? Covered with dirt and planted with grass would keep it cooler. A 55 gallon barrel full of dry goods is about 700,000 calories.

 

Every 9C increase halves elec. insulation lifetime. Almost everything is speeded up by temperature. I'd store it in the ground at more or less 50F.

 

Have yard space? Get you some plastic drums with removable lids... bury them within a few inches of the lid... fill them... replace lid... camo the lid.

 

If you need to use to your attic for any storage if anything in Florida, insulate the underside of your roof with spray foam. Minimize the heat intrusion. You might be able to tap into your central a/c to help cool the attic or use an attic fan. You must have some sort of air flow to keep the humidity down.

 

Could you make an insulated foam panel "room" or locker up there, then tap in to existing air conditioning duct for cooling (if central air)

However, the attic is the LAST place I'd store food.

Do you own the home?
If so, can you remove a sheet of paneling on wall between rooms. Make 2x4x18 "shelves" Only 3 1/2" deep but PERFECT for can goods, etc. I store over 100 cans in mine, and several 1 lb bags of rice, beans, etc.
Buy Hook & Loop Velcro at the Dollar store. Put on removed panel & wall studs. Replace panel, Easily accessible.

Furniture. Unstitch fabric from back of couch. Ends and bottom ONLY. Flap UP. Be creative. Hang pillowcases, etc inside. Velcro back down.

Closet... Step inside, turn around, look Up. Any room for a shelf over the door? Even if its only 6" deep.

Shelf over bedroom door?

Behind the kitchen cabinet drawers? Mine leave 8" of dead space.

Kitchen... Is there a "filler" panel between cupboards & the stove? Pull face panel. Velcro like above. Make skinny boxes that will fit in there.

Go visit an RV place JUST TO LOOK at how they use space for storage.

Make a 4Ft high accent wall to section off part of the room. Make it 6" deep, hidden mini shelves inside. Use "piano" hinge for panel access on 1 side.

 

Houston, here. To answer this question, eight years ago I bagged up beans, rice, and other stuff and put them up in the garage attic, planning on opeining them in 2024 and testing for taste. So stay tuned.. I do agree with Jarhead about insulation; I put it on the door and the floor and I can go up there in midsummer and it's not too bad. Plus, every year I plan on stapling some radiant barrier on the west-facing roof. Still, it's a lot cooler on the floor of the ground level..
One of the good things about Labyrinth's ideas, if after the SHTF and gangs come in and rob you, they will miss the hidden stuff. To add to his list, you can replace your nightstand with a barrel, drop a cloth over it and put a lamp on top.

 

There is plenty of information on storage life of dry food as well as canned food when exposed to high heat, and none of it is what you want to hear. Shelf life is reduced to weeks or at most a very few months at the temps you are talking about. Salt and sugar will keep in your attic, but no other foodstuff.

Although I fully sympathize on climate-controlled space limitations, you can't get around the laws of physics or chemistry. You either need to install more climate control, find some elsewhere, or think up some ways to get a little more storage in the parts of your house that are climate controlled (maybe there is some other stuff that could go to the attic such as books, out of season clothes, paper goods, linens, the roaster etc. you only use at Thanksgiving, china ditto, maybe you've overlooked redesigning your beds to put more storage under them, aren't using the bit of space under the center of your dining table, etc., etc.), or realize you've reached your limit unless/until you can change your living situation.

Storage Life of Dry Foods

Storage Life Differences
Depending on Temperature

Constant Storage
Storage life​

Temp in degrees F		In Years
----------------		------------
39.76		40
49.84		30
59.92		20
70.00		10
80.08		5
90.16		2.5
100.24		1.25

 

Oats beans and rice...throw it away each year and buy more, probably cheaper than car insurance. Another thought is bunk beds. Kids can sleep on the top and you can fill the whole bottom with storage food. Old folks can stack stuff on top.
my spare bedroom in my half basement here in montana stays 50 in the winter and 65 in the summer. And if the power goes off long term i can still live here.

 

The beds in college dorm rooms stand rather high
so students can store things underneath.

 

I have eaten Ramen stored in my Houston garage for at least 10 years and it tasted like new.

No matter how it tasted, the oils were way past rancid;Ramon is not long term storage food in the best of conditions; much less stored at high temps.

Do what you wish but others need to know that is a foolish thing to do.

 

No matter how it tasted, the oils were way past rancid;Ramon is not long term storage food in the best of conditions; much less stored at high temps.
Do what you wish but others need to know that is a foolish thing to do.

Rancid definition: having an unpleasant smell or taste. Big deal.
Let's agree that everyone's taste buds are different and that no one has ever died from eating rancid food, especially ramen. Or even sick, for that matter. Saying so don't make it so.

 

Hey folks,
I have current run out of space to store any more food in a temperature controlled environment. What I am considering is the possibility of storing dried beans, rice and oats in 5 gallon vacuum sealed mylar bags in a plastic footlocker or 5 gallon container. Obvious I'll be using O2 absorbers but am wondering if dry good like that can take the huge heat cycles of a Florida attic.

Even properly ventilated attics easily hit the 130 degree+ range.

Does anybody now if storing dry goods only can handle the heat cycles for 10 years worth of storage.

With all of the dry goods hoarding thet China is doing.....it's on my radar to boost the longest shelf life preps.

Thoughts?
HK

I ran into this problem over a decade ago.
I built a storage closet up in my attic and plumbed the a/c into it.
The closet is between 2 roof trusses. like 4' wide and 8' long. I insulated it very well.
I put dry goods up there and don't have to worry about it.

 

Hey folks,
I have current run out of space to store any more food in a temperature controlled environment. What I am considering is the possibility of storing dried beans, rice and oats in 5 gallon vacuum sealed mylar bags in a plastic footlocker or 5 gallon container. Obvious I'll be using O2 absorbers but am wondering if dry good like that can take the huge heat cycles of a Florida attic.

Even properly ventilated attics easily hit the 130 degree+ range.

Does anybody now if storing dry goods only can handle the heat cycles for 10 years worth of storage.

With all of the dry goods hoarding thet China is doing.....it's on my radar to boost the longest shelf life preps.

Thoughts?
HK

Heat is your enemy for food storage. Depending where you live an attic can reach temperatures exceeding 140%F, about the worst place you can find to store foods.

 

Umm NO

Free radical damage to cells is enhanced when rancid oils are consumed or applied to the skin. Rancid oils are recognized to be carcinogenic, pro-inflammatory, and very poisonous in natural medicine circles. The majority of oils should be odorless. The nut oils should smell pleasant and nutty.

Will rancid fat make you sick, apart from the above? When fat is exposed to heat, light, or oxygen over an extended length of time, it becomes rancid. While eating rancid fat may not make you ill in the short term, it may have a detrimental impact on your health over time. When fats turn rancid, even health-promoting “good” fats become “unhealthy.”

rancid oil consumption

So, are rancid oils a health hazard? The study's researchers say "yes," noting that rancid oil forms dangerous free radicals that can contribute to cell damage. The compromised cells have been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and other diseases which manifest over time. Free radicals have also been shown to damage arteries, and to function as carcinogens.
In addition to free radicals' chronic disease risks, rancid oils can trigger digestive system distress. These harmful substances can also drain vitamins B and E from your body, another effect of consuming rancid food.

Dangers of rancid oil


There are "tons" of information /studies proving what I said to be accurate and eating old ramon is not a wise choice- especially when stored in hot areas for any duration of time- again do what you wish to (it is your health after all) but don't tell others here it is "OK" when you've been shown multiple times it is Not .



IOW stop posting BS- especially when you've been shown it IS BS.....it is past being "old" it is foolish and not needed in any form.

 

"Twas not a "suggestion"