People have been growing, consuming, and storing rice for centuries, and for good reason. Rice is nutrient-dense, versatile, and can be efficiently stockpiled for long-term food storage due to its impressive shelf life.
If you have been wondering how to store rice long-term as part of yoursurvival planning or because of a growing suspicion that afood shortage is coming, then you have come to the right place. We’ve crafted an article detailing why rice is a reliable staple item and how to store rice for the long run.
Understanding the Shelf Life of Rice
Rice is well-known for its long-lasting shelf life. Depending on the type of rice and its storage conditions, rice can be kept for upwards of three decades.
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White rice, such as basmati, jasmine, and your standard grocery store rice, can be kept for four to five years if left alone in its original packaging. If frozen or stored away in tight containers like mylar bags or mason jars, white rice can last for 30 years.
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Wild rice also has an impressive shelf life. It is common for wild rice left in its original packaging to last upwards of 10 years. Similarly, if frozen or stored in an air-tight container, wild rice is good for 30 years.
- Of the varietal rices, brown rice is known to have a shorter shelf life. However, it still lasts a decent chunk of time. If left alone, brown rice is good for up to six months. If frozen, brown rice can last one to two years.
Ideal Storage Conditions for Rice
To store your rice for the long term, it needs to be kept in optimal conditions. Depending on your food storage system, some of the following conditions may be difficult to create, but not impossible.
- Like other grains, the prime temperature for storing rice long-term is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Keeping your rice at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower is your second-best option if this colder temperature is unattainable.
- When storing rice at warmer temperatures, using oxygen absorbers is vital to create food that lasts a long time. This is especially true for rice that is not stored in oxygen-free containers.
- The combination of cold temperatures (sub 40) and oxygen absorbers in airtight containers is the most effective way to get your rice to last upwards of 30 years and still retain its nutritional value and flavor.
Nutritional Benefits of Rice
Contrary to some people’s beliefs, rice is not entirely empty calories. Even white rice comes with some nutritional value andhealth benefits. However, of the two types, brown rice is significantly more nutritious.
The secret to brown rice’s superior nutritional value is in the husk. On the other hand, to make up for the nutritional value lost when white rice is refined and polished, some manufacturers enrich white rice to replace some of the vitamins and minerals lost in the processing.
In terms of nutrition, brown rice is the winner. Nonetheless, white and enriched white rice contain some nutritious vitamins and minerals.
|
Brown Rice |
White Rice |
Enriched White Rice |
|
|
Manganese |
42% of daily value |
16% of daily value |
16% of daily value |
|
Niacin |
16% of daily value |
3% of daily value |
9% of daily value |
|
Thiamin |
15% of daily value |
2% of daily value |
14% of daily value |
|
Selenium |
11% of daily value |
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14% of daily value |
|
Magnesium |
9% of daily value |
2% of daily value |
2% of daily value |
Can rice go bad?
Thus far we have only talked about the long-term reliability of rice. In fact, because of its remarkable shelf life, rice is often referred to as a non-perishable food item. However, it is important to mention that rice can go bad.
Rice can spoil just like any other food item in the pantry. This is particularly true if the rice is subjected to moisture, oxygen, high heat, or unnecessary light.
Selecting the Right Rice for Long-Term Storage
Of the three types of rice we referenced above—white, wild, and brown rice—white rice is by far the most suitable for long-term food storage.There are three types of white rice:
- Long grain –Notably firm, fluffy, and non-sticky; it's three times longer than it is wide.
- Medium grain –Moderately soft, moist, and sticky, it's between two and three times longer than it is wide.
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Short grain – Highly soft, moist, and very sticky; it's less than two times longer than it is wide.
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Why is brown bad for the long-term?
Brown rice, also known as whole-grain rice, has a much shorter shelf life than white rice. This is because brown rice has not been milled, meaning it still has its husk or bran layer. Because of the extra oils in the bran layer, brown rice is much more susceptible to spoiling. You can assume the same for black and purple rice variants.
On the other hand, white rice has been milled and its husk has been removed. Consequently, there are fewer oils in the rice that can spoil and shorten the lifespan.
Therefore, white rice is typically your best option when it comes to preparing and storing rice for the long term.
Storing Rice for Long-Term Storage
The rice you want to store is only as good as the containers you use to store it. In other words, to take full advantage of rice--one of the foods with the longest shelf life--you need to invest the money, time and energy into storing it correctly. You cannot simply buy 30 pounds of rice and leave it to sit in the basement.
When it comes to storage containers for long-term rice storage, we recommend four options: mason jars, mylar bags, food-grade buckets, or #10 cans. They each come with their own advantages and drawbacks.
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Container type: |
Advantages |
Drawbacks |
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Mason Jars |
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Mylar Bags |
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Food-Grade Buckets |
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#10 Cans |
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Storing Rice with Mylar Bags and Food Buckets
Storing rice for the long haul is an involved process. It’s not as easy as prepping professionally prepared and packagedfreeze-dried foods. In the table above, we referenced four different types of containers you can use to store rice. Now, we will talk about what the process looks like to store rice specifically in mylar bags and food buckets.
Materials you will need include:
- White rice
- Large mylar bags
- Food-safe oxygen absorbers
- 5-gallon buckets, food-grade buckets optional
- Optional lids, also known as Gamma Seal lids.
The first step is portioning the rice into themylar bags. Your portions will vary depending on the size of the mylar bag you chose. Ensure not to overfill the bag because you will need enough extra space to seal the container properly.
Next, you need to add the appropriate oxygen absorber size and quantity into the rice. These will help eliminate any leftover oxygen in the bag after you seal it. Oxygen absorbers come in six sizes:
- 50cc
- 100cc
- 200cc
- 1000cc
- 2000cc
- 3000cc
The amount of oxygen absorber you add to the rice will depend on the type and size of the container you are using—in this case, mylar bags. When using multiple oxygen absorbers, we recommend positioning them throughout the bag, not all in one place. And when in doubt, be liberal with the amount you use.
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Container type |
Dense food (i.e., grains) |
Less dense food (i.e., legumes, pasta) |
|
Mylar Food Storage Bags |
Total Recommended CCs |
Total Recommended CCs |
|
¼ gallon bags |
100 |
110-200 |
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½ gallon bags |
100-200 |
200-400 |
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1 gallon bags |
300-400 |
400 |
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1.5 gallon bags |
500-800 |
1,000-1,200 |
|
2 gallon bags |
1,000 |
1,500-2,000 |
|
4, 5 or 6-gallon bags |
2,000 |
2,500-3,000 |
After supplementing your mylar bag full of rice with an adequate amount of oxygen absorbers, next it’s time to seal the bag. The most effective way to do this is with a vacuum sealing machine. However, if you prefer a more affordable and versatile option, you can seal mylar bags with a traditional clothes iron set to its hottest setting.
After packing and sealing, these bags are ready for storage. Though mylar bags can be stored alone, additional precautions against pests, especially rodents, are highly recommended. A bucket is a good choice.
Placing your packaged rice into 5- or 6-gallon buckets provides an extra layer of security. Using food-grade buckets ensures they won't leach chemicals into your food or cause unpleasant odors, though it’s not strictly necessary if you’ve used mylar bags. High-quality lids, like Gamma Seal lids, can further enhance the safety and reusability of these food containers.
When all of your rice is properly sealed into mylar bags and stored away in buckets equipped with gamma lids, everything is ready to be stockpiled in your basement, garage, bug-out location, or prepper pantry.
The only thing left to do is monitor your rice storage and rotate through your stockpile if necessary.
Proper Monitoring, Storage, and Rotation of Stored Rice
After you have prepared your rice for long-termstorage, next you want to ensure that you choose wisely the location you keep your rice. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision.
Rice Storage Tips
- Your rice will last the longest in a dark, cool, and dry location.
- Whenever possible, keep your rice in the fridge or freezer.
- If necessary, take precautions against rodents and other vermin. This is especially true for basements and root cellars.
- Label your rice with the date, so you know how old it is.
- Inspect your rice before consuming it.
Monitoring and Rotating Your Rice
Over time, food kept in long-term storage may diminish in quality and nutritional value. There may be changes in flavor, texture, and color. This is especially true for foods not adequately packaged and sealed ahead of time.
Therefore, it will be prudent of you to monitor your rice storage routinely and rotate it if necessary. Because white rice is safe to keep for so long, routinely monitoring can mean checking it every six months. However, for other types of rice, you may want to check it more often.
When you check on your rice, you are looking to ensure the packages are still properly sealed and that they haven’t been exposed to insects or rodents. This is especially important for stocks of rice you’ve opened and are periodically eating.
You may need to rotate through your stockpile and replace it with fresher rice if necessary. Typically, this occurs towards the end of the recommended or expected shelf-life of the particular rice. Depending on when you first put it into storage, eventually, you may have to start cooking and consuming the rice to prevent spoiling. Then you would simply repeat the process from above to replace it with fresh reserves.
In Conclusion: Long-Term Rice Storage
When it comes to long-term storage, not all rice is equal. White rice is a clear winner for long-term storage, despite being slightly less nutritious than brown rice. Hence, having a diverse stockpile of different rice types can be beneficial.
DIY rice storage can be labor-intensive, and one misstep can lead to spoiled rice. But with careful planningand time, using our detailed guide, storing rice in mylar bags can significantly improve your rice stock.
However, complementing your rice storage with professionally prepared and packaged food, such as freeze-dried vegetables and meat, can provide a more convenient, reliable, and nutritionally diverse food supply. Starting with a 72-hour emergency kit is a smart move, and our product experts are always ready to help you enhance your long-term food storage options further.
However, investing in professionally prepared and packaged food, likefreeze-dried vegetables andmeat, is more convenient, reliable, and nutritionally diverse—plus, it’s a great supplement to your rice storage. To start, we recommend a72-hour emergency kit. After that, you can speak with one of our product experts to continue improving your long-term food storage.
