What’s The Safest Way To Store Bulk Food Long Term?

“Hi there! I’m planning to buy a lot of rice, beans, and some groceries like flour and sugar, but we don’t have a big family, so I need the best safe method to store it long-term without running into any problems. What’s the safest way to do this at home? I’ve been reading a lot about different techniques, but I’m getting confused about which container or storage method is better. Help!” Thanks, Jessica, Seattle, USA.

What’s The Safest Way To Store Bulk Food Long Term?

Great question, Jessica! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the options out there, but the good news is that keeping your bulk food safe long-term can actually be super simple if you follow a few key steps. Whether you’re looking to keep rice, beans, or flour fresh, I’ve got helpful tips to keep everything safe from mold, pests, and, most importantly, spoilage.

1. It Starts With the Right Containers

First things first: the containers you choose make all the difference. You want something that’s airtight, sturdy, and easy to manage. For most people (myself included), airtight food-grade plastic buckets or durable glass jars are the go-to. There’s nothing worse than going to prepare dinner and finding bugs have gotten into your rice—yep, been there! So, here are a couple of things to keep in mind for choosing the right containers:

• Airtight Containers: An airtight seal keeps both air and pests out, which preserves the freshness of your food. Glass jars with rubber seals, plastic food-grade buckets, or even heavy-duty bags with zip seals can work wonders.
• Food-Grade Plastic is a Must: If you’re opting for plastic buckets or bags, make sure they are food-grade (look for the little symbols on the bottom). Regular plastic can leach harmful chemicals into your food over time, especially with items like flour or rice.
• Size Matters: Pick container sizes that fit your day-to-day needs. If you use flour frequently, for example, storing smaller amounts in more accessible containers makes sense while keeping the bulk portion sealed up in a larger bucket.

For me, I keep a large portion of my staples in 5-gallon food-grade buckets with airtight lids. Then, I transfer small amounts to glass jars that are easy to access when I need to cook. It’s the best of both worlds!

2. Oxygen Absorbers: Your Long-Term Insurance

Want to make sure your food lasts as long as possible? Investing in some oxygen absorbers is a game-changer. These little packets help remove oxygen from the container, which prevents any mold growth and keeps those rice and beans fresh for years.

Once you pack your food into an airtight container, throw in an oxygen absorber (they come in different sizes depending on the amount of food you’re storing; more on that in a sec). This is especially helpful for things like rice, flour, grains, and pasta, which can easily attract bugs or go stale without proper care.

A quick tip, Jessica: If you’re using larger containers like a 5-gallon bucket for your beans or rice, you’ll need bigger or multiple oxygen absorbers to fully remove the oxygen. If in doubt, always check the package guidelines for how many you should use based on your container size.

3. Keep It Cool and Dark

Temperature and light are like the villains in the world of long-term food storage. Excess heat can speed up the degradation of your food, while light can zap out nutrients faster than we’d like. The best way to combat this is to store your containers in a cool, dark place—think basement, pantry, or even a closet.

A place with a steady temperature around 55-70°F is ideal. If you live in a warmer climate or have no basement (like a lot of us here in the desert do), try storing food in a closet or cupboard away from any windows to limit light exposure.

4. Moisture Control Is Crucial

Moisture can quickly lead to mold, even in sealed containers. To keep your food dry and avoid any unwanted nasties (mold is such a headache!), you can use silica gel packets inside your storage containers. These little guys absorb moisture and are particularly useful if your storage area is naturally a bit damp.

If you’re storing food in an environment with fluctuating humidity levels, combining oxygen absorbers AND silica gel packets for a one-two punch in warding off both mold and any possible microbial growth is an amazing trick I use personally.

5. The Freezer Is Your Friend…For Pests

Let’s face it, bugs are an unfortunate reality of bulk food storage. However, you can use your freezer to your advantage as a safeguard. When you first buy grains, beans, or flour, pop them in the freezer for 72 hours. The freezing cold should kill off any eggs or larvae (gross, but a thing!) that may already be in your food and keep future infestations from happening.

I use this method all the time for my flour. Just make sure after freezing your food, you let it return to room temperature, and ensure it’s completely dry before sealing it up in your long-term storage containers.

6. How Long Can You Store Bulk Foods?

Each type of food has a different shelf life depending on how well it’s stored. Jessica, here’s a basic rundown on some common bulk goods:

Make sure to label your containers with the packing date so you know how fresh your food is. Trust me, you won’t regret doing this when you’re cruising through your pantry months or even years later!

7. The Pros and Cons of Mylar Bags

Another popular option for long-term food storage is mylar bags, and they’re fantastic—especially paired with oxygen absorbers. The reflective properties of these bags help block out light, which slows down the breakdown of vitamins and other nutrients.

These work great for dry goods like beans and rice, making them an ideal option if you want to take things a step further than buckets. You can get small bags or large ones, and they’re perfect for stacking in tight or limited spaces.

The downside? Mylar bags are a bit more finicky to seal—you’ll need a heat sealer (or a good old clothes iron, which I always use!). But in terms of keeping food fresh, some people swear by them.

Troubleshooting Common Storage Issues

Even with best efforts, things can happen. Here are some fixes for common problems:

• Seeing bugs? If they’re in your entire batch, I’m afraid it’s too late. Always check small portions of food before buying. If you only notice bugs after breaking a seal, freeze your food quickly to stop them from spreading, and try to prevent it next time by freezing new grains or beans before storage.
• If food smells off after long storage, it’s best to avoid consuming it, especially if there’s any mold present. Clean and air out the storage containers before refilling them.
• Oxygen absorbers stopped working? If they feel hard or you’ll notice the packet color changing, it’s a sign they’ve been exposed to air. Replace them if needed to ensure continued freshness.

Final Thoughts…

Jessica, thanks so much for your question. I know it can seem overwhelming, but once you have your containers picked out and your oxygen absorbers or mylar bags in place, it’s really as simple as keeping everything airtight, cool, and dry. You’ll be able to enjoy all your bulk food without worries! Happy storing!