Long Term Rice Storage - The Definitive Guide

White rice is one of the most suitable foods for long-term storage. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and it will last for several decades and even indefinitely.

How is rice stored long term? There are multiple methods to store rice for the long term. Mylar bags are the most durable for white rice - up to 30 years. Other methods are to store the rice in buckets, bottles, and No. 10 food-grade cans. 

This article is a comprehensive guide to long-term rice storage. Read on to learn why it’s a good idea to store rice for the long term and how to do it right.

Does the rice go bad?

Rice is one of the foods with the longest shelf life. Regular white rice can last up to 5 years in the pantry if stored correctly. Rice can spoil quickly if exposed to moisture, humidity, or affected by vermin or rodents.

If you store rice following all the long-term rice storage rules, this grain will last for even a few decades.

General storage rules for rice

Whether you store your rice short-term or long-term, there are some storage rules you must follow to preserve the quality of the grain.

First of all, you must store the rice in an airtight container. This will keep the rice dust free and prevent pests from entering the container.

To make sure there are no bugs around your rice containers, put a couple of bay leaves in them. Cleaning your storage area regularly is another step you should take to ensure a vermin-free environment for your beans.

Store rice in its original container only when it is unopened and undamaged.

Second, keep the container away from moisture . Even a few drops of water in the bowl of rice will cause it to go bad sooner.

Lastly, store your rice containers in a cool room, pantry, or kitchen cabinet. The minimal exposure to light is another thing that contributes to the long duration of the gain.

Depending on the area you live in, you may also need to protect rice and other grains from rodents.

Why store rice for a long time?

Rice is one of the foods most suitable for long-term storage. Foods that work best for long-term storage are those with very low moisture and oil content.

If the water content is more than 10%, the food will soon become moldy. And if it is high in oil content, it will go rancid quickly.

Therefore, dry white rice is the perfect food to store in bulk for emergencies.  Rice is filling, and cooking it is easy. If you have access to boiling water or a microwave, cooking the rice is a matter of minutes.

Another quality that makes rice a suitable food to stock up on is its affordability. So if you see your favorite white rice on sale at your local grocery store, consider buying it in bulk and storing it long term.

You may think it’s easier to buy ready-made canned food. Canned foods are easier to store and all you have to do is open the can and start eating. But these foods are often loaded with preservatives, whereas rice is not.

Storing only frozen food for emergencies is also not a good idea, since you may not always have access to electricity in those situations.

How to store rice long term

There are different methods to store rice for the long term. Depending on how many years you want your rice to last, you can choose from the following types of containers and storage methods.

mylar bags

Mylar bags are bags made of food grade materials: plastic and aluminum. They are often referred to as aluminum foil bags because of their appearance.

But don’t be alarmed by the aluminum in these bags. It will not react with food thanks to the plastic coating.

These bags create a barrier between the food and the environment, protecting it from light and oxygen. 

When shopping for mylar bags for long-term food storage, it’s important to go for the highest quality ones. This will ensure that your food remains safe to eat for many years.

Mylar bags come in different sizes. They also come with oxygen absorbers and are very easy to use. All you need is a regular clothes iron to secure food in these foil bags.

Storing rice in mylar bags provides the longest shelf life for this grain. If you use mylar bags correctly, they can make rice last up to 30 years.

plastic buckets

Plastic buckets are an easy way to store bulk food.  They can extend the shelf life of rice up to 10 years if you provide the necessary temperature in the storage room, in addition to using oxygen absorbers. 

When using a plastic bucket for long-term rice storage, make sure it has an airtight lid and is food grade. Never use plastic buckets that are not intended for food storage and are not certified food-grade.

It is better to use plastic buckets for long-term storage to store already packaged food.

If you decide to use plastic buckets for long-term storage of rice and other dry goods, remember to keep them off the ground. Also, if the buckets are large and heavy, don’t stack them, as this could break the lids.

Check from time to time that the cubes are free of cracks and generally tightly closed, to ensure that they are still airtight.

Plastic bottles

Plastic bottles with a screw cap are also a good option for storing rice and beans.  Only use bottles that are labeled PET or PETE. Never clean and use plastic bottles that have previously contained non-food liquids.

If you plan to store a lot of rice for the long term, don’t throw away the juice and soda bottles. Clean them well, let them air dry for a few days, and transfer the rice to these bottles.

Be sure to close the cap tightly to prevent oxygen from entering the bottles. You can also secure the lids with masking tape.

It uses oxygen absorbers so rice and other grains will last up to 10 years in plastic bottles.

number 10 cans

Number 10 cans are another container option for long-term rice storage. These metal tins have an enamel-coated interior that does not react with food.

They also provide an airtight, moisture-free environment for rice and any other foods you decide to store in them.

A single No. 10 can holds 12.5 cups of rice, which is a convenient amount for both large and small families. These cans are also very durable and can significantly extend the shelf life of rice making it last 10 years or more. 

The only downside to #10 cans is that you need a manual or motorized can seamer to seal these metal containers. Also, although these cans are resistant to corrosion, you should avoid storing them in any damp place.

Once you open a #10 can to use the rice stored in it, you can put it to a new use.

How to preserve rice up to 30 years

For rice to last three decades or more, the best long-term storage method to opt for is mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.

In fact, these foil bags are the best storage method for any dry goods you want to store in bulk or for emergency situations.

If you’ve decided to store rice long-term in mylar bags, take the time to shop for good ones. Best to buy 5-7 mil mylar bags to store rice and other dry goods.

Since Myler bags come in different sizes, buy bags in the size that fits your needs. If you want to pack your rice in smaller aluminum foil bags but can’t find them, buy large bags and cut them to the size you want.

You can easily seal the edges of the bag with an iron.

Any iron will do to seal the mylar bags: a clothes iron, a hair straightener, or a straightener. If you happen to have an impulse sealer, use that as it will make the process much easier.

How to Store Rice in Myler Bags Long Term

So how do you store rice in mylar bags so they last up to 30 years and even indefinitely? Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Divide the rice into portions. When doing so, keep in mind the size of your mylar bags. 
2. Fill the mylar bags with rice. Make sure you don’t fill them to the top, as you have to seal the bags.
3. Press out any excess air and seal the open edge with the iron or whatever heat sealer you have on hand. 
4. Label the bag with the date, as well as the type and amount of rice you have in it. 
5. Close the bucket with the lid and store it in a cool, dry place. 

What rice is best for long-term storage?

Although rice is one of the best foods for long-term storage, you should know that not all types of rice last indefinitely.

White rice varieties, such as basmati, arborio, and jasmine, are best suited for long-term storage. 

Brown rice is healthier than white. It is a whole grain. Unlike white rice, which has the bran and germ removed, brown rice contains all the nutritious parts of the grain.

But this is exactly why brown rice doesn’t have as long a shelf life as white rice. The oil content in dry brown rice is higher, which makes it go rancid sooner.

Therefore, brown rice is not a suitable rice variety for long-term storage. The same goes for purple and black rice. 

As for instant rice, you can store it long term in airtight containers or mylar bags. But make sure you buy instant rice from a brand that doesn’t use preservatives.

How to store brown rice long term

Thus, brown rice does not last as long as white. But what is the best way to store this variety of rice for the long term if you have bought many bags of your favorite brown rice?

In order for brown rice to last as long as possible, you have to freeze it . Freezing slows down the rancidity process of the rice oils.

Brown rice stored in the freezer will keep well for 12 to 18 months, and even longer if your freezer temperature is always at 0°F.

This is much longer compared to the 6 month life of brown rice stored at room temperature. 

You can freeze the rice in its original container if it is undamaged and airtight. If it’s open, transfer the brown rice to airtight containers or bags. Freezing rice in resealable bags is more convenient since you can flatten them and save storage space.

How can you tell if the rice has gone bad?

If you have provided all the necessary storage conditions for dry rice, you will hardly see it go bad.

Still, whether you’ve opened a long-term rice storage container or a bag of rice you just bought from the supermarket, check for signs of spoilage before using it.

Here are some signs that rice has gone bad.

Bugs

Bugs in dried rice are one of the most common reasons why you should throw it away. It is quite easy to notice them in rice.

When it comes to these harmful creatures, you should know that they don’t always get into your rice after you bring it home.

There may be eggs in the rice bag when you buy it. At first you cannot see these eggs. After a while, when the rice has been in the pantry for a few months, the eggs turn into little bugs.

It is common practice to store a freshly purchased bag of rice in the freezer for a couple of days and only then transfer it to long-term or short-term storage containers. Freezing kills any eggs that may be in the rice. 

Mold

The water content of rice is very low. Therefore, it can become moldy if water gets into a bucket of rice or if you store the container of rice in a humid environment. In any case, if you see mold on the rice container, it’s best to throw it away. 

rancid smell

An unpleasant, stale odor is a sign of brown rice spoilage. When the oil in brown rice begins to go bad, the rice acquires rancid odors and an oily texture, as well as discoloration.