Storing Fats & Oils – One Person, Three Months

Fats and oils are often overlooked in emergency food planning, but they are vital for cooking, energy, and even morale. Whether you’re sautéing vegetables, baking bread, or simply adding flavor, a reliable fat source can make all the difference in a long-term survival scenario.

This post is part of our ongoing One Person for Three Months Emergency Food Storage series. 

Previous months covered:

January – Grains | February – Water | March – Beans / Legumes | April – Sugar | May – Cooking Essentials
Now, in June, we're focusing on Fats and Oils. If you have followed along in this series you should know I just love the 7 Mil Mylar Box Set | PackFreshUSA. Since it comes in a variety of different sized Mylar and with the oxygen absorbers. You will also get stickers that you can easily label your food storage. 

Fats & Oils – Recommended 3-Month Supply for One Person

* I store more than 1 pound. I love peanut butter and it is a quick simple treat high in caloric intack and fat. 

I shopped at Walmart and all the items minus the peanut butter came to $19.22 after tax. I stored more than 1 pound of peanut butter

Storage Tips

• Use Mylar Bags & Oxygen Absorbers: For peanut butter powders, dry salad mix-ins, or dry dressing blends, use PackFreshUSA Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers – 7 Mil Box Set (100 Pack) to extend shelf life and prevent spoilage.
  
  
• Watch Expiration Dates: Oils can go rancid. Store smaller containers and rotate regularly.
  
  
• Cool, Dark, Dry is Key: Heat and light shorten oil shelf life. Store your fats and oils in a pantry or storage tote in a temperature-stable area.
  
  

Consider Powdered Alternatives: Powdered butter, shortening, or peanut butter are excellent long-term options with much longer shelf lives than their fresh counterparts.

Pro Tip: Stay stocked with storage essentials by subscribing to our monthly Mylar Bag + Oxygen Absorber kits. Whether you're building your pantry gradually or rotating through items, our subscription ensures you never run out. PackFreshUSA Subscription

Rotation Reminder

Use the “first in, first out” rule to keep your stockpile fresh. Label each item with its expiration or packed date.

Tip: Our subscribers receive printable rotation labels in every shipment.

Additional Fats & Oils You Can Store

In addition to standard kitchen staples like vegetable oil and shortening, consider adding these shelf-stable, versatile options to your 3-month supply:

Ghee (Clarified Butter) - oh geeh!

• Long shelf life, even unrefrigerated if unopened

• High smoke point—ideal for frying and sautéing

• Rich, nutty flavor and packed with healthy fats

Canned Butter

• Great for long-term storage

• No refrigeration needed before opening

• Tastes like fresh butter and can be used in any butter-based recipe

Powdered Butter

• Lightweight and easy to store

• Perfect for baking, mixing into mashed potatoes, or emergency kits

• Reconstitutes easily with water or use dry in recipes

Coconut Oil – My Must-Have!

• Extremely long shelf life (often 2+ years)

• Excellent for cooking, baking, and frying

• Bonus: It’s a multi-use product!

  • Personal care: Moisturizer, lip balm, hair treatment

  • Pet care: Paw balm, skin soother, even for minor wounds

  • Emergency uses: Firestarter, lubricant, and more

Use Expired Oils & Shortening for Emergency Candles and Lanterns

Not all fats have to go to waste when they pass their prime! Expired or rancid oils and shortening may not be ideal for cooking, but they can still serve a purpose—emergency lighting.

How to Make a Shortening Candle:

1. Scoop expired shortening into a small glass jar or metal tin. (you can heat it to help melt the shortening a bit.
   
   
2. Insert a cotton wick (or twisted cotton string) into the center.
   
   
3. Anchor the wick with a washer or wrap it around a pencil across the jar top.
   
   
4. Light it! It may take a moment, but it’ll burn for hours.
   
   

A 1-pound can of shortening can burn for 30–50 hours, making it a great emergency candle option.

Tip: You can add in a crayon to add color to the shortening.

DIY Oil Lantern:

1. Fill a fire-safe container (like a mason jar or metal can) with old vegetable oil. (filter the oil if there is any debree)
   
   
2. Use a floating wick or create a homemade wick from a cotton strip.
   
   
3. Suspend the wick just above the oil surface using a wick holder or a twisted piece of foil.
   
   
4. Light and use cautiously—ideal for short-term emergencies or as backup lighting.
   
   

Tip: Add essential oils or dried herbs for a more pleasant scent.

Safety Reminders:

• Never leave homemade candles or lanterns unattended.
  
  
• Always place them on heat-safe surfaces away from flammable items.
  
  
• Store expired oils in labeled containers to distinguish them from cooking oils.

So let's get prepped,

Ola D Griffin
Long-term Food Storage Expert
Customer Service, Safeguard Brands, Inc. dba PackFreshUSA
YouTuber Pandemic Prepsters - YouTube 
Instagram - Ola Dee Griffin (@Preparedness101) • Instagram Photos And Videos 
Tiktok - Oladeegriffin (@Oladeegriffin) | TikTok 

Phone: (844) 857-8277
Mobile: (951)902-4644
Email:  customerservice@packfreshusa.com     
Website: PackFreshUSA.com
Toll Free 5 Star Service Line:  (844)8 5 STARS (844) 857-8277