Storage for Brown Rice

« WellTellMe • Forum • Natural Health • Nutrition & Food • Breads, Pastas & Grains • Storage for Brown Rice »

(Read 1307 times) [1]

Storage for Brown Rice
« on: May 13, 2008, 10:12:20 AM » by jenibee

This might be a dumb question, but...is there anything special I should know about storing brown rice? I seemed to remember that it goes rancid quickly, but when I looked up my source, that tip was for rolled oats and not brown rice.

We just bought a grain mill, and DH is having me stock up on the basics - wheat, rice, beans, etc. - but I'm not feeding my family white rice!! Is there a good way to store a bulk quantity of it (we have a deep freeze), or is it fine like it is?

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2008, 10:28:27 AM » by amazonmama2five

We keep all rice (white and brown), flour, beans, oats, seeds, nuts and pasta in the freezer to keep the weevils out. If you have room in your deep freeze, that is an ideal place to store dry goods. We put the items is zipper bags or plastic containers that are freezer proof.
HTH, God bless.

Logged

He is no fool that gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.~Jim Elliot
My Intro
Visit our site!

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2008, 10:48:21 AM » by jenibee

How long does it last in the freezer? Three months? A year? Indefinitely?

On a side note (I know this belongs on another thread, but gimme a break!), if I put wheat in the deep freeze, can I still sprout it for bread when I take it out to use it? Or do I have to sprout it first, and then freeze it?

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2008, 10:48:35 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: amazonmama2five on May 13, 2008, 10:28:27 AM

Ditto.

Of course if you don't have the room in your freezer, you can always wash and drain out the bugs. That's the way my MIL does it. Tongue

I think it will last for a very long time in the freezer. We generally buy ours months in advance.

« Last Edit: May 13, 2008, 10:50:16 AM by healthybratt »
Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2008, 10:59:41 AM » by ladyhen

I put rice, as well as other grains and flour in the deep freeze for a day or two to kill any bugs in it. Then I take it out and store in glass jars/canisters. I keep excess either in the original packaging or in food grade buckets.

I buy in bulk and have kept brown rice stored at room temperature for up to 6 months without a problem.

Logged

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2008, 11:06:04 AM » by herbalmom

Quote from: jenibee on May 13, 2008, 10:48:21 AM

On a side note (I know this belongs on another thread, but gimme a break!), if I put wheat in the deep freeze, can I still sprout it for bread when I take it out to use it? Or do I have to sprout it first, and then freeze it?

Should be fine. Freezing just gets it really cold, it doesn't damage the wheat germ. You could try freezing a cup or two of wheat berries (or however much you use at one time) for a week & then try sprouting it just to double check before you freeze all of your wheat. (Sorry HB but since she posted here I'm answering it real quick) HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2008, 12:11:29 PM » by jenibee

Quote from: herbalmom on May 13, 2008, 11:06:04 AM

(Sorry HB but since she posted here I'm answering it real quick) HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

I didn't realize I was so scandalous! Thanks, HB, for overlooking this thread infraction.

The info on freezing whole grains is super helpful. I just have one more quick question - is there a danger of freezer burn damaging rice (or other grains...shhh! Shocked

) you store in the freezer?

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2008, 12:16:39 PM » by herbalmom

Quote from: jenibee on May 13, 2008, 12:11:29 PM

Quote from: herbalmom on May 13, 2008, 11:06:04 AM

(Sorry HB but since she posted here I'm answering it real quick) HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

) you store in the freezer?

Not scandalous, I was just apologizing to HB before she posted the 'stay on subject' post. Wink

As far as freezer burn, just keep them airtight & it won't be a problem. I have used freezer weight Ziploc type bags before w/out a problem. HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2008, 12:34:17 PM » by jenibee

Thank you so much!

Blessings,
Jeni

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2008, 05:36:49 PM » by daisey

I live in Northern Minnesota and have a cool pantry but it isn't freezing in there in the summer. I have always kept my rice, beans, wheat etc in there. Is it really necessary to keep these things in the freezer. I already have 2 of them full of other stuff and can't really afford another one or the space. I also buy in bulk. Would keeping these things in vacuum bags keep them from going rancid?

Logged

Be Still my soul, the Lord is on Thy Side

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2008, 07:42:36 PM » by cecac

That is what is recommended (the vaccum bags) in Nourishing Traditions, but I am not sure how long until rancidity starts in. Undecided

It won't start if the freezer is used with rice.

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2008, 07:44:28 PM » by CAndy

We store all grains in 5 gallon food grade storage buckets. I have never had anything go rancid and it keeps the bugs out. The main problem with bugs isn't the ickyness, some of them eat the germ off the grain and it's not as good for you. Keep in mind that my 3 kids eat a LOT! We have gone through 50 pounds of wheat in 2 weeks not to mention all of the other grains and food. They work hard.

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2008, 01:34:37 AM » by Cheryl

When storing out of the freezer, put a bay leaf on top of the grain to keep the buggies away.

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2008, 04:42:01 PM » by jenstar

I will definitely try the bay leaf thing as we store all our rice in a cold room. Thanks!

Here is a little confession...
Once a local health store got in a shipment of rice that had little wormy bugs in it (weevils???) So a worker who knew that I used lots of rice (grind it for flour) called up and offered it to me for free. This was back in the days when we were always a few pennies short every month so I jumped at it. I stuck the boxes in the freezer for about a week. When I pulled them out, all the worms had shrivelled up and turned dark. So I poured the rice out on a light colored background and had all my littlies pick worms before I ground the flour. It was a great homeschooling project - learning to count - one wormy, two wormies.... Wink

I know that wasn't a great thing to do, but we were thankful for the rice. And the few wormies that got missed... I just didn't tell anyone who ate with us about where we got our rice from Shocked

Logged

Re: Storage for Brown Rice
« Reply #14 on: January 12, 2010, 12:54:41 PM » by boysmama

Quote

Like other whole grain flours, brown rice flour can go rancid very quickly, because of the natural fats and oils in the grain. It should be stored under refrigeration to avoid this. Most cooks also purchase brown rice flour in small amounts, so that it will be completely used before it goes rancid. Store brown rice flour in an airtight container in the fridge so that it will not collect moisture or odors from the fridge.

From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-brown-rice-flour.htm

Quote

Brown and White Rices
Brown and white rices store very differently. Brown rice is only expected to store for 6 months under average conditions. This is because of the essential fatty acids in brown rice. These oils quickly go rancid as they oxidize. It will store much longer if refrigerated.

Quote

Stored in the absence of oxygen, brown rice will last longer than if it was stored in air. Plan on 1 to 2 years. It is very important to store brown rice as cool as possible, for if you can get the temperature down another ten degrees, it will double the storage life again.

from https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/information_center/storage_life_of_foods.htm#link16

Logged

(Read 1307 times) [1]