Rice and beans are staple foods for many people around the world. They are inexpensive, nutritious, and have a long shelf life when stored properly. Many preppers and survivalists stockpile rice and beans as part of their food storage plan. But can you safely store rice and beans together for the long term?
Quick Answer
The quick answer is yes, rice and beans can be stored together long term if done correctly. Rice and beans have similar storage requirements – cool, dry, and dark conditions. The keys are using oxygen absorber packets, vacuum sealing or sealing in mylar bags, and storing in food grade plastic buckets. This prevents oxygen, moisture, insects, rodents, and light from ruining the rice and beans. With the proper storage methods, white rice and beans can last 30 years or more.
How to Store Rice and Beans Long Term
Here are some tips for successfully storing rice and beans together for the long haul:
- Start with high quality food grade buckets with tight fitting lids
- Line buckets with mylar bags or vacuum seal bags
- Add oxygen absorbers to bags before sealing
- Fill bags no more than 3/4 full to allow room for expansion
- Label contents and date stored on mylar bags
- Store buckets in a cool, dry place around 55-70°F
- Inspect periodically for moisture and insect/rodent infestation
- Rotate stock as used with first in, first out system
Choose Appropriate Containers
The first step is to choose suitable long term storage containers. 1-5 gallon food grade plastic buckets with gasket seals work very well. Make sure there are no cracks or defects. Gamma lids allow easy access without fully removing the lid. 5 gallon buckets will hold about 30 pounds of rice or beans.
Use Mylar Bags or Vacuum Seal Bags
Mylar bags or vacuum sealing creates an oxygen and moisture barrier to prevent food spoilage. Mylar bags are multi-layered aluminum lined bags that block light, oxygen and moisture. Vacuum sealing removes the air from bags to prevent oxidation and drying out. Seal the bags with a quality iron on the top.
Include Oxygen Absorbers
Oxygen absorbers are critical for long term rice and bean storage. They remove oxygen from sealed containers, preventing insects, oxidation, and rancidity. Use 300cc absorbers per 5 gallons of rice or beans. Add the packets before sealing the mylar bags or vacuum sealing.
Leave Room for Expansion
Only fill buckets about 3/4 full to leave room for the contents to expand as they absorb small amounts of moisture. Overfilling buckets can lead to ruptured bags and contamination.
Label Contents and Date
Be sure to label mylar bags with permanent marker indicating contents and date stored. This lets you easily identify contents and rotate stock using the first in, first out method before food expires.
Store in Cool, Dry Place
Store rice and bean buckets in a basement, closet, or pantry area with consistent cool temperatures between 55-70°F and low humidity. Avoid temperature extremes and direct sunlight which can damage food stores.
Inspect and Rotate Stock
Every few months, check buckets for signs of moisture, insect infestation, or rodents. If found, remove and replace damaged goods, sealing containers again with new oxygen absorbers. Rotate stock by using oldest buckets first and replacing them with fresh supplies in the back.
Benefits of Storing Rice and Beans
There are many good reasons to store rice and beans long term together:
- Long shelf life – Up to 30 years when properly stored
- Nutritious – Good source of fiber, protein, iron, B vitamins
- Inexpensive – Among the most budget friendly foods to stockpile
- Taste – Combine for complete protein to make delicious meals
- Easy preparation – No refrigeration needed, just boil and serve
- Calorie dense – Provides energy when fresh food is scarce
- Barter economy – Valuable to trade in crisis situations
Shelf Stable for Decades
The extremely long shelf life is one of the biggest advantages of stockpiling rice and beans. Kept at the proper temperature, moisture and oxygen levels, white rice can be stored for 25-30 years. Beans can last 10-15 years or longer before quality starts to decline.
Healthy and Nutritious
Together rice and beans provide a good balance of essential vitamins and minerals. Beans offer folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Rice contributes B vitamins like thiamin and niacin. Combine them together and you get a complete protein with all the essential amino acids.
Cheap Food Insurance
Pound for pound, rice and beans are some of the most inexpensive foods available. With bulk purchases, you can stock up a substantial supply without breaking the bank. It’s wise food insurance if a financial crisis or emergency disrupts normal supply chains.
Taste Great Together
Rice and beans just seem to go together like peas and carrots. They complement each other’s flavors beautifully. With different seasonings, homemade chicken broth, and vegetables, buckets of rice and beans can be transformed into delicious stews, burritos, rice bowls, and fried rice.
No Special Storage Needed
Dried rice and beans don’t require freezing, refrigeration, or any special storage arrangements. As long as they are kept cool, dry and sealed, they will stay fresh until ready for use. Water and heat are all that’s needed to make a hearty meal.
Calorie Dense
In survival situations where fresh food is scarce, rice and beans can provide concentrated calories and energy from complex carbohydrates. Even small portions keep you feeling fuller longer during times of crisis or food instability.
Valuable Barter Goods
If a major disaster occurs, rice and beans may be in high demand. Having extra stock on hand could provide useful barter goods to trade for other necessities you may need in a barter economy.
Best Practices for Storing Rice and Beans Together
Follow these best practices when storing rice and beans together for the long haul:
- Invest in high quality food grade buckets, lids, mylar bags, and oxygen absorbers
- Store white rice varieties like long grain, jasmine, or basmati
- Choose harder bean varieties like pinto, black, kidney, or navy
- Clean containers with vinegar, rinse, and dry before filling
- Label contents, amounts, and date clearly on bags and buckets
- Rotate stock using the FIFO (first in, first out) method
- Inspect storage conditions and containers every 3-6 months
- Keep away from direct sunlight, moisture, extreme temperatures
Use Food Grade Buckets
Buy new food grade 5 gallon buckets, lids, and gamma seals from a reputable source. Avoid used buckets that may contain chemical residues. Food grade buckets are made with FDA approved virgin HDPE plastic and BPA free.
White Rice for Longevity
Store long grain white rice varieties like jasmine and basmati over brown rice. The bran layer in brown rice contains oils that cause it spoil more quickly. White rice stored properly can last up to 30 years.
Select Hard Bean Types
Choose hard bean varieties like pinto, black, kidney, or navy beans. Softer beans like lentils, split peas, black eyed peas have shorter shelf lives of 1-2 years. Harder beans can last 10-15 years with proper storage methods.
Clean Containers
Wash buckets with dish soap, rinse thoroughly with vinegar, and let dry completely before filling. Vinegar eliminates odors and residue. Dirty containers can introduce pests and mold spores.
Label Storage Bags and Buckets
Identifying contents and date helps you rotate stock properly using the first in, first out method. This prevents waste from food expiring and allows older food to be used first.
Inspect and Rotate Stock
Check bucket seals, bags, oxygen absorbers, and overall container condition every 3-6 months. Weed out damaged product and repack contents into new bags and buckets as needed to maintain quality.
Proper Storage Conditions
Keep buckets and bags away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, moisture, and pests. The ideal condition is a cool, dark place with temps between 55-70°F and low humidity like a basement or interior closet.
Expected Shelf Life when Stored Together
When stored properly together, here are the approximate shelf lives you can expect:
| Food | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| White Rice | 25-30 years |
| Pinto Beans | 10-15 years |
| Black Beans | 10-15 years |
| Navy Beans | 10-15 years |
| Kidney Beans | 10-15 years |
The shelf life of beans and rice depends on the storage conditions. Dark, cool, and dry environments give best results. Storage in very hot or humid areas will shorten shelf life. With ideal storage, white rice may last 30 years, while beans have a shelf life of 10-15 years typically.
Signs Rice and Beans Have Spoiled
Check rice and beans periodically for the following signs of spoilage:
- Mold – White, black, blue, or green fuzzy mold
- Rancid odor – Stale, sour, or unpleasant smell
- Change in texture – Very soft or mushy beans
- Discoloration – Unusual darkened or yellowish tint
- Insect webbing or eggs
- Rodent droppings or evidence of gnawing
- Bulging or leaking packages
At the first signs of spoilage, discarded the contaminated rice or beans to avoid risk of foodborne illness. Do not rely on smell alone since mylar packaging can hold odors in.
Look for Visible Mold
Mold will appear as fuzzy white, green, black or blue growth on beans and grains. This indicates the presence of moisture and air ideal for pathogenic mold species to multiply.
Detect Rancid Odors
Rancidity from oil oxidation creates stale, sour smells. However mylar packaging can trap odors inside so also rely on other signs of spoilage.
Check Texture Changes
Soft or mushy beans are a red flag for spoilage. Rice may become oily, gummy, or chalky in texture when old. However texture is not always reliable, so combine with other indicators.
Note Discoloration
Look for unnatural darkness, yellowish tint, greasy spotting on rice. For beans check for fading and unnatural softness or dryness.
Watch for Pests
Webbing, egg casings, larvae, moths, or beetles inside packaging indicates infestation. Rodent droppings or chew marks also means contents have been contaminated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can rice last in storage?
White rice stored properly in oxygen sealed mylar bags with oxygen absorbers can last 25-30 years. Brown rice has a shorter shelf life around 6 months due to the oil in the bran layer going rancid.
How long can beans last in storage?
Harder bean varieties like pinto, navy, and black beans can have a shelf life of 10-15 years when stored in oxygen sealed containers. Lentils and split peas have a shorter life around 1-2 years.
Can you store rice and beans in the same container?
Yes, rice and beans can be stored together long term if you use oxygen absorbers and seal containers in mylar bags or vacuum seal pouches. This prevents cross contamination.
What happens if rice gets wet during storage?
Moisture causes rice grains to swell and split. Wet rice is prone to developing mold. Discard any rice that has gotten wet and replace with dry rice sealed in an airtight mylar bag.
How do you keep beans from drying out in storage?
Vacuum sealing or oxygen absorbers prevent excess air from drying beans out. Store beans in breathable containers like mylar bags instead of completely airtight like cans that can lead to condensation.
Can spoiled rice make you sick if eaten?
Yes, eating moldy, rancid, or spoiled rice can cause food poisoning. Rice can grow dangerous bacteria like Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens, especially when wet. Discard any rice with an off smell or appearance.
Conclusion
With the proper storage methods, rice and beans can safely be stored together for decades. The keys are keeping oxygen, humidity, pests, and light exposure to a minimum. Use food grade buckets, mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, cool temperatures, and vigilant monitoring to get the longest shelf life out of your rice and bean stockpile.
