Can anyone comment on maintaining the freshness of a 25-lb bag of rice? Clearly won't fit into a refrigerator, is keeping in a cool room sufficient?
2081040
What I've done is filled 5 large ZipLoc's with about 5lbs each to maintain freshness, and gave a couple of the bags to my sister to help speed up consumption. We didn't notice any degradation in quality after a few months. (And you can easily re-use those ZipLoc's for the same thing or anything else since rice doesn't really make them dirty.)
2081041
When I get the rice I don't keep it in the bag. I get a bunch of glass containers with lids (large Mason type jars work well) or some Tupperware or similar container. Anything that seals well that bugs can't get into. I save large containers with lids when I get things from Sam's Club so I don't have to buy a bunch of containers. I just make sure they're well washed and dried before putting the rice in them. I keep the containers of rice on a shelf in my basement and it's lasted well for over 6 months. We do use air conditioning so my basement stays about 72 or below even in the summer. Hope that helps answer your question:) When I get the rice I don't keep it in the bag. I get a bunch of glass containers with lids (large Mason type jars work well) or some Tupperware or similar container. Anything that seals well that bugs can't get into. I save large containers with lids when I get things from Sam's Club so I don't have to buy a bunch of containers. I just make sure they're well washed and dried before putting the rice in them. I keep the containers of rice on a shelf in my basement and it's lasted well for over 6 months. We do use air conditioning so my basement stays about 72 or below even in the summer.... » Read More When I get the rice I don't keep it in the bag. I get a bunch of glass containers with lids (large Mason type jars work well) or some Tupperware or similar container. Anything that seals well that bugs can't get into. I save large containers with lids when I get things from Sam's Club so I don't have to buy a bunch of containers. I just make sure they're well washed and dried before putting the rice in them. I keep the containers of rice on a shelf in my basement and it's lasted well for over 6 months. We do use air conditioning so my basement stays about 72 or below even in the summer. Hope that helps answer your question:) « Show Less
2081042
I put it in plastic containers in cool place I use it few times a week it is just fine. No need to invest in pricy storage.
2081043
I have had marvelous success with the storage buckets available from Lehman's ... lehmans.com ... Amish country purveyors... kept in a cool area of the house (basement if you have one would be even better than my back hall... 25 pounds of rice, grain, chickpeas, beans (of all varieties) fit perfectly into the bucket... I do recommend buying the combination opener/hammer to open and reseal... they are a real boon to bulk storage... Have a total of eight at present and considering at least a couple more...
2081044
What I did was put it all in plastic containers store in cool dry placeand it stays fresh & nice.I use it few times a week with no problems. No need investing in pricy storage long as lid is on tight and in cool place.
2081045
Upon arrival of my bag of rice, I put in the deep freeer for 24-48 hr. to freeze any bugs or larvae that may exist in the bag. Then, I store the rice in a large bucket for several months in my basement. I take out a portion to keep in a tupperware container in my kitchen pantry for daily use. I've never had any problems doing this.
600198
I do not put it in a bag, I just have it loose in the vegetable crisper drawer, and it really does make a difference in the length of time everything stays fresh.
2139521
I've never refrigerated this bag even once opened. I've kept it around for a few weeks without any issue. However, I don't see how putting it in fridge would hurt it either.
751446
I keep one portion in a sealed container in my kitchen. The rest I put in gallon freezer bags in the freezer. I usually use the entire 25 pounds in less than a year and have never experienced any loss of freshness or quality. The flour can probably last indefinitely if stored properly in the freezer.
424626
you really do need some good freezer space as the meals are individually wrapped. I unpackaged them and put a lot in a large baggy. about one week of the food can be kept in the fridge.
1241258
I keep mine in the fridge after opening and only grind right before using. The bag lasts me slightly less than a month, so I never have any freshness issues.
1186786
The size of the holes is just about the smallest cross-section of a grain of rice, and somewhat expandable. So yes, one could readily push a grain of rice through one of the holes. however, if the bag were filled with rice, I expect that little of the rice would be oriented so as to fall straight out. Most would stay inside unless one shook it. That said, marginal as a rice storage bag. For that purpose, I would use a finer mesh nylon bag, which Amazon also carries, though I don't own one in a large size.
1083321
I use several Zip Lock brand freezer bags to store this food. (Freezer bags are thicker, seal more tightly, and keep food fresher than regular storage bags.) I keep it in our climate-controlled pantry, and it lasts for months this way. (I wouldn't recommend storing it in the garage if you live down South like I do.)
562901
Hi Roseanna! I placed mine into an airtight container for storage for precisely the reason you cite: anti-vermin. I actually framed the bag! Living in Kaua'i meant a strong likelihood of bugs! Another tip: I placed the jute bag of lentils in the freezer for a week and then brought it back to room temperature before placing the lentils into the air tight container. Since then we have moved to New Zealand to live and the lentils are in perfect condition.
861443
This can be from water/moisture. Place in a zip-lock bag with dry (uncooked) rice 48hrs.
1166533
I like to elevate the plastic containers (5 gal plastic containers) off the floor (especially concrete) with strips of wood. It should be a cool and as dry as possible. If you have packets of food (loose) it is best to place them in 5 gal plastic buckets and seal them up with covers (lids). A steady moderate temperature is best... cooler is better. Any soft packing will need to be protected from bugs and rodents....they will try to chew into the packets. Take care.
2151311
Yes, I hung a ziplock bag with a pound of rice in it on my fridge to test this for you. Only one magnet held well, but let it slide due to the slick plastic. Two held it firmly.
1986260
I've just started using this product. My first order was the 2-pound bag. Since I was baking for Christmas, I used it up very quickly, within 10 days. I didn't keep it in the refrigerator and it seemed fine. My 5-pound bag arrived yesterday. I wasn't planning to refrigerate it, but maybe I should. When nuts are whole (not ground into powder), all the nuts except walnuts are fine at room temperature. Walnuts go rancid much more easily and should be kept in the fridge. Whole wheat flour also goes rancid easily, and I have always kept it refrigerated. I transfer the flour into quart-sized canning jars first. I've just started using this product. My first order was the 2-pound bag. Since I was baking for Christmas, I used it up very quickly, within 10 days. I didn't keep it in the refrigerator and it seemed fine. My 5-pound bag arrived yesterday. I wasn't planning to refrigerate it, but maybe I should. When nuts are whole (not ground into powder), all the nuts except walnuts are fine at room temperature. Walnuts go rancid much more easily and should be kept in the fridge. Whole wheat flour also goes rancid easily, and I have always kept it refrigerated. I transfer the flour into quart-sized... » Read More I've just started using this product. My first order was the 2-pound bag. Since I was baking for Christmas, I used it up very quickly, within 10 days. I didn't keep it in the refrigerator and it seemed fine. My 5-pound bag arrived yesterday. I wasn't planning to refrigerate it, but maybe I should. When nuts are whole (not ground into powder), all the nuts except walnuts are fine at room temperature. Walnuts go rancid much more easily and should be kept in the fridge. Whole wheat flour also goes rancid easily, and I have always kept it refrigerated. I transfer the flour into quart-sized canning jars first. « Show Less
718022
I bought two bags of Nishiki Premium Brown Rice in March, 2014. I am still cooking from the second bag and the condition is perfect.The packaging if strong and I keep the bag tightly closed; hence, the reason is still fresh as when I first opened the bag.
532384
To Sandy P - I have had this rice cooker since 2007 and use it often. I bought it from Amazon, too. I have never had a single time that the rice has gone mushy, even a small part of it. The rice is always thoroughly cooked and the grains are cooked through and separate grains. I do adjust the water if it is unusually humid or the weather is very dry (not often here in Florida). I have left the rice in the cooker over night by mistake and it still does not get mushy. The best thing to do for me, is the fluff the rice up right away when it has finished cooking. I usually just grab a pair of chop sticks and it makes quick work to reach even the rice in the bottom of the cooking bowl. After I fluff it up, I put it in a container to store it. I make sure that the container has a top that seals tightly. I keep it in the refrigerator and then warm it up in the microwave. If it drys out too much in the refrigerator, I put it in a pot on the stove with lots of water, bring it to a boil, turn off the heat, then let it absorb whatever water it needs to reconstitute itself, and then I pour the extra water out through a fine strainer so as not to lose any of the cooked rice. It's like having perfect, almost instant rice, though much, much better! I would not be with out my rice cooker. Yumm. And so easy! If you have the small 3 -Cup size ... be sure and keep the overflow area clean, along with emptying and cleaning the little cup on the back of the rice cooker. If the valves in the lid or back openings get stopped up, I think that might give anyone some trouble with moisture collecting somewhere else, rather than being drained off and discarded by the user. Just saying. Ruth Ditmore Craig
2030580
Yes, it works great. I have used both sizes. I had a 10# bag of rice, so I sealed it in pint jars, so far they are still sealed.
2261595
I have yet to use mine, but maybe if you lined the bottom with cabbage your rice would stay moist.