how long to keep canned goods

the funny farm6

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I was just wondering. We have been having some real good sales on canned vegies here. Right now I can get canned peas for .30 a can. I know they have an experation date, and I have used them up to a year beyond that date as long as the can was in good shape. But do they ever realy go bad or is there a length of time after the date you think they should be throun out? I have no luck with peas so canned is the only way I get them. And if I could stock up on other vegies it would be nice.

Also how long are home canned goods good for? We never have enuff to last a whole year. But I guess it would be good to know. Lol
 

moolie

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No idea on the commercially canned food, we don't buy it. It is recommended that you use up your home-canned food within a year of canning, but when I was growing up my Mom had canned fruit that in some cases was 4-5 years old that was just fine. It's not the edibility that becomes an issue over time, but the loss of nutrients and possibly taste. That said, I've read that home canned food can be good up to 10 years and more :)
 

Wannabefree

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I ate some candy that was from WWll. It was canned in some kind of big metal can. Not a #10 but similar. I'm still kickin :lol:
 

BarredBuff

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I would guesstimate that under proper storage conditions (home canned and store bought) foods will keep with excellent nutrients for up to 5 years. But after that it probably decays...just guessing. As long as it smells good and looks good its fine to eat...
 

moolie

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Wannabefree said:
I ate some candy that was from WWll. It was canned in some kind of big metal can. Not a #10 but similar. I'm still kickin :lol:
Sugar doesn't go bad ;)
 

the funny farm6

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moolie said:
Wannabefree said:
I ate some candy that was from WWll. It was canned in some kind of big metal can. Not a #10 but similar. I'm still kickin :lol:
Sugar doesn't go bad ;)
There we go, all I need to put up is sugar:hide hehehe
I know I have used green beans that were almost a year over the "use by" date. I did throw away some cans that had a lot of rust on them. So I am guessing that as long as I don't get excesive- like 100's of cans, they will be ok. Maybe figure up what we use in a years time and work up to having a year or two in the pantry. And as always-rotate the newest to the back.

I wish they would do some of these good sales on canned friut!
 

BarredBuff

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Since they are having such a good sale, what I would do personally is buy a two year's supply of each. Then rotate them out and buy back as you use them...
 

the funny farm6

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I will tell dh that.

But before I get that much I need to clean out the pantry first. It became a catch all over the winter and I have been putting it off. But I filled my cabonets so if I am going to do that I better get it done.
 

Wannabefree

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moolie said:
Wannabefree said:
I ate some candy that was from WWll. It was canned in some kind of big metal can. Not a #10 but similar. I'm still kickin :lol:
Sugar doesn't go bad ;)
I know, I just love being able to tell that. I've no clue where my grandma got it, but that was the BEST lemon drops EVER ;)
 
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