How to keep dry food fresh from the first cup to the last
A food container is a receptacle that keeps dry food dry, airtight and out of reach of pests, from the moment you open the bag until it is empty. Dry food loses flavour and aroma when it comes into contact with air, and the fats in the kibble can turn rancid if moisture gets in. A tight-fitting lid slows down both, and at the same time it seals in the smell, so mice, insects and other uninvited guests are not tempted.
At Essential Foods there are two sizes for the purpose. ESSENTIAL THE FOOD BOX is the large container, while ESSENTIAL THE SMALL FOOD BOX suits smaller households or those who buy food in smaller bags. Both are intended as a permanent home for the food, where the bag otherwise quickly ends up poorly rolled up, leaving the kibble exposed to air. You will find them together with the rest of the mealtime accessories.
Choose the size to match the bag you usually buy
The size of the food container should follow the bag size you most often have on hand. If you buy food in 10 kg bags, it makes sense to choose the large ESSENTIAL THE FOOD BOX, so that a whole bag can be poured in at once. If you have a small dog, a cat or several smaller bags in rotation, ESSENTIAL THE SMALL FOOD BOX is more practical and takes up less space in the kitchen or utility room.
A rule of thumb is not to choose a container that is much larger than what you actually fill. A half-empty container holds more air around the kibble, and air is precisely what you want to keep away from the food. If the container roughly matches the bag, the food sits more closely together, and each meal comes from a layer that has been exposed as little as possible.
Pour in the whole bag rather than topping up a little at a time
The food keeps best if you pour the whole bag into the container at once and leave it closed between each meal. Every time you open a bag and roll it up again, air gets in, and zips and clips on bags rarely close completely tight. A food container with a firm lid provides the same seal every day.
Some choose to place the entire food bag inside the container instead of pouring the kibble in loose. This keeps the container clean and makes it easy to read the feeding guidelines on the bag, but it requires that the bag can be folded down under the lid, so that it still closes tightly. If you pour the kibble in loose, you get easier access with a cup or spoon.
Dose precisely with a fixed measuring cup
A container solves the storage, but you still have to get the daily amount right. If you use THE ESSENTIAL CUP as a fixed measuring cup, you dose the same amount every time instead of estimating by eye. This is especially important if the dog or cat needs to maintain its weight, where even a small imbalance in the amount each day adds up over weeks.
A fixed cup also makes it easier to follow the feeding guidelines on the bag, which are given in grams or in number of measures. Once you have measured how much your cup holds of your particular food, you can dose quickly without scales every morning.
Clean the container between each bag
Even dry food leaves a thin layer of fat and crumbled kibble at the bottom of the container over time. That fat can turn rancid and give off a sour smell that transfers to the fresh food you pour on top. That is why it is a good habit to empty the container completely and wipe it out before filling it with a new bag, instead of pouring new on top of old.
Let the container dry completely before you refill it. If moisture reaches the kibble, that is precisely what the tight lid was meant to protect against. A dry, clean container is the prerequisite for the food keeping the freshness the container promises.
Take the food with you when you are on the go
For outings, weekends and training you do not need to lug the whole container around. THE LITTLE BAGS are small bags for packing measured portions of food or treats, so you have a day's ration ready without opening the main container at home. If you need many, they are also available as THE LITTLE BAGS, 40 BAGS x 4.
This way, the permanent food container and the small bags work together: the container keeps the main supply fresh at home, and the bags take the amount you need out with you along the way.
