Storing Rice Long Term: Bulk Rice Storage Tips for Preventing Waste

But those savings only stick if you store it well.

According to Healthline.com, you can store dry white rice up to two years and brown rice up to six months. Storing dry rice in the fridge or freezer can significantly extend its shelf life. However, if the rice packaging gets holes, you could quickly find signs of spoilage, including dampness, mold and bugs.

I’m not a food storage expert. I’m a budget watcher who hates wasting money on food. So I’m sharing tips from frugal readers on how they store 5-pound and 50-pound bags without losing a single cup to moisture or pantry pests.

Here are their best long-term rice bulk storage tips. (Some tips were edited for length and clarity.)

1. Divide Rice Into Smaller Sealed Bags

Divide the rice into smaller bags and seal them with a food sealer. Then place the sealed bags inside a food-grade storage bin.

Line the bottom of the bin with a towel to absorb any unexpected moisture. Store the bin in a cool, dry place.
Lisa (via Facebook)

TDS Tip: Once opened, keep your working supply in an airtight pantry container so you’re not exposing the full bulk supply every time you cook. I use these food-grade containers by Chefstory.

2. Use Empty Pretzel Jugs

After a flour bug infestation, I started storing rice in empty gallon-sized pretzel jugs (like the clear, heavy-duty ones from Utz®). I get them free through Freecycle just by asking.

They’ve saved me a bundle and I’ve had no more bugs. I also scatter bay leaves on my shelves, which seems to help.
Bea in NJ

3. Freeze Rice First

After dealing with bugs from rice and bird seed, I now store all rice and grains in the freezer. The cold kills any insects or eggs.

If you have space, keep the bulk bag in the freezer and take out what you need. I set it on the counter in the morning so it’s ready to cook by dinner.

If freezer space is tight, freeze the rice for a few days first, then move it to airtight containers in the pantry.
Cindy

4. Store in Food-Grade Buckets

Our grocery bakery gives away the big frosting buckets (they are food-grade buckets with lids). I wash and dry them thoroughly, then fill them with rice, flour or sugar.

They stack well in the basement and garage. I label them with a dry-erase marker so I can reuse the bucket later.

I thoroughly wash and dry the buckets and then fill them up. I have a stack of them in my basement for rice, flour, sugar, homemade dishwasher soap, etc. I have a stack in the garage with bird seed, pet food, grass seed and anything I want to keep rodent-free.
Dawn

5. Store Rice With Dried Hot Peppers

In Japan, a traditional method is to store rice with a few dried hot red peppers (togarashi) to discourage bugs.
Denise in Japan

6. Use Clean Soda Bottles

I use empty two- or three-liter soda bottles. They’re durable and food-safe.

You can add an oxygen absorber for longer storage.
Elaine from PA

7. Use Popcorn Tins

Rice in 25- to 50-pound bags can be a nuisance to handle and store. We store it in large Christmas popcorn tins. They stack easily.

Make sure the lid fits snugly. As an extra precaution, we add a plastic bag over the top before sealing. We’ve never had a bug problem.
JD in St. Louis

8. Vacuum-Seal in Jars

I use a FoodSaver® to vacuum-seal rice, beans and pasta in jars. As long as the jar stays sealed, the food stays fresh for years.
Linda

9. Layer With Salt

When living overseas, I learned to layer a few inches of rice with a generous handful of salt. It kills bugs and can be rinsed or sifted out before cooking.
Michelle

A Few Extra Quick Bulk Rice Storage Tips

Here are a few additional simple practices that fit a tight-budget kitchen:

• Keep rice cool and dry. Heat and humidity shorten shelf life.
• Date your containers. Rotate older rice to the front.
• Be careful with brown rice. Because of its higher oil content, it spoils faster. Consider freezing it if you buy in bulk.
• Don’t ignore small tears in packaging. Even a tiny hole can invite moisture or pests. Transfer opened bags to sealed containers right away.

Buying rice in bulk can shave real dollars off your grocery bill over time. A little planning keeps those savings from ending up in the trash.