Can I store rice in the plastic bags they come in?
Posted by Fartfart357@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 28 comments
I'm buying some rice and beans since we cleared up space for it. Can I leave the rice in the regular (plastic) bags they come in? I'm planning to stack them in a rubbermaid container indoors (air conditioned but it may get hot if the AC breaks for a while).
Stinkytheferret@reddit
You want to put them in the freezer for two days, take them out for two and then back in for three. This will kill bugs. Then however you want to store them, add a few bay leaves. I personally break them five lbs to a gallon ziplock and do the freeze process. Then I store in five gallons buckets with a gamma lid. My last batch stored lasted from fall 2020 to fall/winter of 2025. No bugs. Tasted as fine as fresh. We are in the process of stacking back more. I think we had about 100 lbs before.
deport_racists_next@reddit
Best bet for food storage always defaults to Mason jars.
Rodent proof and can be sealed a variety of ways.
They do break but generations have managed to avoid microplastics.
wanderingpeddlar@reddit
Half gallon mason jars and two piece lids and some oxygen absorbers and the rice will last longer then you will. And what he said about microplastics!
Fartfart357@reddit (OP)
Any strong opinions between half gal and 32oz?
deport_racists_next@reddit
Are deliberately embarrassing yourself or was that sarcasm?
Fartfart357@reddit (OP)
? Half gal is 64oz. Those jars are slightly more expensive where I was planning to get them, but if the volume has some impact on quality of storage, then I'll get them. But if the only difference between putting them in 1 64oz and 2 32oz is the size, then I'll get the 32 oz.
deport_racists_next@reddit
You are correct and I am an idiot.
Downvote me away.
Profuse apologies for my earlier snark and shame on me.
Sincerest apologies.
FWIW as if you want my opinion anyway after my ignorant and rude post above... but fwiw I bought 6 64 and 12 32 on sale recently for about the same price. Generally speaking I prefer the 32s. Nothing specific i can attest to but the smaller ones seem sturdier.
... and again my since apologies for my previous post.
I certainly embarrassed myself.
Please commence the downvotes.
Virtual-Chocolate385@reddit
I gave you an upvote just because of your handle, though I'd say deport racists first.
Aint2Proud2Meg@reddit
I have a strong opinion actually. Half gal is great for dry storage, and I use them for brewing cold brew and as pitchers with different attachments.
However I keep way, way more 32 oz jars because those are approved for canning, and the half gal are not.
deport_racists_next@reddit
My new sad reality as we start over again with the old proven methods.
Electronic-Day5907@reddit
Freeze it for 48 hours to kill any eggs/bugs/larva in it. And no you need to put it into something airtight with oxygen absorbers.
smc4414@reddit
I do 72 hours in the freezer for the rice…just to make sure. 👍
iDreamiPursueiBecome@reddit
We lost about 200$ of rice to weavils or some such. You want to treat the rice with heat and seal it airtight to kill any eggs /larvae.
Think Mason jars and reusable lids.
This also keeps mice from chewing through the plastic.
wwglen@reddit
I wash out plastic juice bottles and put rice, beans, and pasta in them with oxygen absorbers.
I don’t worry about microplastics as there is no liquid to break them down.
smsff2@reddit
Rice bags are not airtight. If you store them inside a different airtight container together with oxygen absorbers, that will still work. For example, you can store your rice bags in a Rubbermaid tote, add oxygen absorbers alongside the rice bags, and seal the lid with silicone. That will create an airtight environment where the oxygen absorbers can work properly.
Fartfart357@reddit (OP)
Alright. Forgot to mention I was putting absorbers in there. Is the air tight rubbermaid a good option or a "it'll work" option? Willing to invest more since it's food related.
azure_phoenix2@reddit
the rubbermaid totes leak air over months even with the rubber gasket lids, so it's closer to 'it'll work' than truly sealed. the real upgrade is 5 mil mylar bags with 2000cc o2 absorbers inside a food-grade bucket with a gamma seal lid, that combo holds rice for 20+ years.
Fartfart357@reddit (OP)
Why not mason jars like others are saying?
iambecomesoil@reddit
Size, weight, jars can break, lids can rust.
iambecomesoil@reddit
Gamma seal lids are unnecessary for deep storage that does not get opened. Gasketed food grade lids achieve the same seal at half the price.
1421Wast@reddit
Put rice in airtight jars . They will last for decades.
BigJSunshine@reddit
Nope
ifixharleys@reddit
Large pickle jars…
BeginningAd5055@reddit
We use a lot of large pickle jars.
mountainsformiles@reddit
I love pickle jars so much!
Sleddoggamer@reddit
Plastic and heat is a pretty basic no-no. If you can, just put them in Mason jars
I've always wondered if there's any good cloth or burlap bags to put them in, then out them in a hard container if someone kind, but nothing will beat rhe Mason jar
Proof_Junket_5516@reddit
For short to medium term storage? Yeah, usually fine if the bags stay sealed and dry inside the container. For long term though, most people eventually move to mylar bags + oxygen absorbers inside buckets/totes. Heat, moisture and tiny pests are what usually ruin food storage first. Even just putting the original bags inside a sealed tote already puts you ahead of most people
Ra_a_@reddit
We use retail packing for a few year