Storing Rice Long Term: 6 Useful Ways to Keep It Fresh

Rice is easy to prepare and doesn’t need a large space for storage, making it a great addition to your emergency food stack. Some types of rice last longer than others. But, as long as you store them properly, most can last for about five years to over a decade.

The degradation of rice quality is often caused by elevated temperature, moisture, pest infestation, exposure to oxygen or light. To extend its shelf life, you must aim to eliminate these factors by using food-grade containers, oxygen absorbers, mylar bags, and fumigation methods.

This article will explore the factors affecting the shelf life of rice and introduce methods to keep it fresh over an extended period.

Storing Rice Long Term: Things to Know

Why Should You Store Rice?

rice storage

Rice is filled with nutrients and minerals, it has a high-calorie content that serves as fuel to the body, supplying it with the energy it needs to function effectively.

It does not take too much storage space; you can just keep it in an airtight containers and bags. It is inexpensive, and you can buy it in bulk to save some money.

Rice is very easy to prepare and highly satiating, making it an ideal emergency food. You don’t need any special ingredients to prepare it. All you need to do is add water, then heat it, and it’s done and ready to eat.

It is generally safe for everyone. In fact, rice allergy is very rare, and none of the rice’s constituents are listed as a common allergen.

Factors Affecting the Shelf Life of Rice

Rice bought from the same market and taken from the same bag of rice, may last for different periods if stored under different conditions.

Several factors influence the shelf life of rice. Depending on how well you monitor and control these factors, the rice may last for a few years up to three decades.

Temperature

temperature thermometer

One major contributing factor to the shelf life of rice and other grain products is temperature. It directly affects the preservation of nutrients and pest growth prevention.

Your goal is to keep the storage temperature at 70°F or lower. This temperature range slows down the degradation of rice quality and promotes longer retention of minerals and nutrients. However, you should not lower the temperature beyond freezing point. It is expensive to do so, and it doesn’t really change the shelf life of rice significantly.

At lower temperatures, the rate of internal water loss is lower, and the growth rate of decay-promoting organisms is inhibited. Aside from quality preservation, a lower temperature also prevents pest infestation. Most pests and insects found in rice are incapable of growing and developing at low temperatures. They only reproduce at elevated temperatures, so keeping the storage cool will prevent infestation.

Dry Storage

  • According to cde.ca.gov storing rice at 50°F would maximize its shelf life. Storing rice at 70° with oxygen absorbers can be stored for up to 10 years.

Refrigerated Storage

  • Refrigerated rice (32-40°F) sealed in oxygen-free containers can be stored for up to 30 years.

Moisture and Humidity

There are two possible sources of moisture that affects the quality of rice during storage:

  1. Moisture content of the rice itself.
  2. Moisture from the environment.

The moisture content of rice pertains to the actual percentage of water in it. The lesser its moisture content is, the longer it can last. Although you don’t have control over this, it is important to know that the commonly sold white rice has a 14% moisture content. If you can find other brands that advertise a lower moisture content, then you should pick them.

The second source, and the one which directly affects rice quality, is the surrounding air. Air has a characteristic known as humidity. Humidity tells you how much water the air carries. You would want to avoid a high humidity level in your rice storage space since this will have a negative impact on the rice quality. Ideally, the humidity level should be 15 percent or less.

The water in the air condenses when there is a significant temperature difference between the air and a surface. The temperature inside the rice container is higher than the surrounding temperature. If the outside air manages to enter the container, there’s a high chance that moisture will condense on the top layer of the rice.

For the same reason, temperature fluctuation inside the storage room must be minimized to prevent increasing the temperature difference between the surfaces of the food containers and the surrounding air.

Moisture inside and on the sides of the container is unwanted since it facilitates mold formation and growth that significantly shortens the shelf life of rice.  Moisture also promotes the growth of insects and pests that hastens the degradation of the rice, making it inedible.

Oxygen and Sunlight

Oxygen is vital for all life forms. It facilitates the growth of insects and molds, so you should avoid leaving your rice container open.

You should also avoid exposing your rice storage under direct sunlight. It hastens the loss of the rice’s nutritional value, particularly fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, and K. Also, direct exposure to sunlight increases the temperature, which is another effect that you would want to avoid.

Insects and Bugs

insects rice close

Insects, particularly rice bugs or weevils, can destroy the quality of rice quickly. Most of the time, they are not visible when you buy the rice because the bugs themselves are not present; however, their eggs are there.

These eggs will hatch, grow, and reproduce when ideal conditions are met, resulting in an instant infestation problem. All they need to survive is a slightly elevated temperature, oxygen supply and a small amount of moisture from the air.

Surprisingly, rice bugs are safe to eat, and they even provide some extra nutrients. However, the idea of eating insects is gross and unthinkable to most people. With proper methods, you can easily remove these bugs, so there’s no need to throw the rice right away if the infestation is only mild.

Rice Variety

Most varieties of rice are good for long term storage; for example, wild rice, arborio rice, jasmine rice, and basmati rice. Most of them can last for at least four years to more than a decade when stored properly.

On the other hand, brown rice is not suitable for long-term storage. Brown rice is known for its superior health benefits. However, due to its unremoved bran layer and high oil content, it can only last for about 3 to 8 months. If you are planning to store rice indefinitely, you should pick other varieties instead.

Effective Ways of Storing Rice

rice container home

Dry Ice Fumigation

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. Fumigation with this material eliminates all adult insects and their larva present in the rice container. 

 

To fumigate the stored rice, spread a one-inch layer of crushed dry ice on top of 3 to 4 inches of rice stored in its container. Next, pour more rice to cover the dry ice. 

 

The fumes released by the dry ice are slightly heavier than air and displaces the other gas in the container. It takes about 4 hours for 1 lb. (450g) of dry ice to completely sublimate or turn into gaseous carbon dioxide. Wait about that long before placing back the lid of the container.

 

Ensure that all the dry ice has sublimated before sealing or closing the container. A pressure build-up inside the container may occur if it is closed too soon. When this happens, the container may bulge slightly. In this case, one can open the lid slightly to allow some carbon dioxide to flow out.

 

The container needs to be left sealed for a minimum of 4 days at 80oF (27oC) to kill 95% of the bugs. If left for up to 10 days at 68oF (20oC), it kills all the eggs, larva, and mature beetles. When done correctly, there’s no need to repeat this process as long as the rice container is airtight.

Deep Freeze Method

This method is done prior to storage and is only applicable to small quantities of rice, about one to ten pounds.

Place the rice in food-grade plastic bags and deep freeze them for two to three days. Most insects cannot tolerate extremely low temperatures, thus eliminating them. Usually, it is effective at destroying insects at all stages, which ensures a longer shelf life.

After freezing, let the rice thaw, and wait for the excess moisture to vaporize completely. Then, if you don’t see any insects crawling on the rice, transfer it to a proper container, then place it in a cool and dry place. Otherwise, repeat the process one more time to eliminate the remaining bugs.

Use Proper Containers

secure rice containers

Only use food-grade containers when storing rice, or any food for that matter. These containers are designed to prevent unsafe chemicals from transferring from the container to the food itself. Avoid using garbage bags, fiber barrels, and paint cans to store food.

Chemical contamination will make the rice unsafe for human consumption. Therefore, if you intend to store rice and keep it fresh for a long time, you should use containers designed to safely store food.

The best containers for long-term storage of rice are food-grade plastic buckets with lids. They are fairly common in the market, so it is easy to find one of them. These plastic buckets are BPA-free, so their safety is guaranteed.

These buckets are also quite strong and leak-free, you can stack them to save some space in your storage area.

You can also place oxygen absorbers inside these containers to prolong the shelf life of the rice. Over time, air may eventually begin to leak. Adding oxygen absorbers will ensure that the oxygen level inside the containers is kept at a minimum.

Oxygen Absorber

Oxygen absorbers are small packets of materials that react with oxygen. Usually, they contain vitamin C and iron minerals that “grab” oxygen from the air by reacting with it. In addition, they also absorb moisture from the air, thus preventing mold formation and growth.

Air contains about 21 percent oxygen, 79 percent nitrogen, and less than 1 percent of some other gases in very small traces. By absorbing the oxygen from the air, the molds cannot grow, and the eggs of rice bugs cannot hatch either, thus preventing infestation. The remaining nitrogen is generally inert, meaning it won’t do anything. Insects and molds cannot use this to grow and develop.

To compute the amount of oxygen absorber that you’ll need, first calculate the 21% percent of the volume of the container that you’ll use to determine the amount of oxygen it contains. Then, from there, estimate the corresponding amount of oxygen absorbers that can cover the total amount of oxygen.

You can also watch this video for your reference.

Mylar Bags

Mylar bags consist of layers of metallic foils that protect the rice, or any food they contain, against deterioration due to sunlight, oxidation, and bugs.

These bags are easy to use and are effective at preserving the quality of dried goods. When used with oxygen absorbers, they offer the longest rice shelf life, which is up to 30 years. They are available in a wide range of sizes: from small bags that can only contain a few garden seeds up to large bags that have the same storage capacity as a five-gallon bucket.

Freezer

inside freezer

For small amounts of rice, you can store them in a freezer. The very low temperature will not allow the hatching of the rice bugs’ eggs, and it will also inhibit the growth of molds. This method is excellent under normal circumstances. However, it may backfire during an emergency if the power suddenly goes out. Condensation will quickly occur, and the rice will absorb the moisture, causing it to spoil faster.

Signs that the Rice is No Longer Safe for Consumption

Most varieties of rice, especially white rice, are suitable for long-term storage. But, due to the factors mentioned above, their quality may degrade over time and become unfit for human consumption.

Severe infestation with rice bugs or rice weevils is the most obvious sign that the rice has gone bad. You may still resolve mild bug infestation using dry ice fumigation or with heat treatment. However, if the number of bugs has grown beyond control, it is best to discard the rice right away.

When you detect an insect infestation in one of your storage containers, you should inspect other containers for any possible infestation as well. This way, you can deal with it early on and prevent bug infestation from damaging more food.

For brown rice, the signs that it has gone bad are more apparent. Due to its high oil content, brown rice emits a rancid smell and changes in texture and appearance when its quality is no longer fit for consumption.

Final Thoughts

Rice is very easy to prepare and packed with essential nutrients, making it a suitable food for emergencies. It is also highly versatile; you can prepare it in many ways, including frying, boiling, and fermenting it to make sake. Moreover, it can last in your storage for several years and you can further extend its shelf life if you store it properly. Oxygen, high temperature, moisture, sunlight, and insects can degrade the quality of rice. However, once you eliminate these factors, you can keep your rice fresh for several decades.

References:

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/mb00404.asp

https://extension.usu.edu/preserve-the-harvest/research/storing-white-rice


Chris Green

Chris has always had an adventurous soul, and his love for the outdoors eventually led him to become a professional life skills advisor. He explains a multitude of different topics ranging from disaster preparedness and wilderness survival to self-sufficiency.

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