Most people keep a small stock of dry food in their pantry or kitchen cabinets. Even though dry food is really trouble-free to store – and, under the appropriate conditions, can last on a shelf for months or even years – it is also definitely possible for dry goods to expire and go bad. If that develops, you risk low-quality food and foodborne illness. Therefore, it is vital to use these dry food storage tips to keep your stock clean, fresh, and nutritious for as long as possible.
Rotate Your Items
Dry storage areas typically store baking supplies, grains, dried beans, cereals, and canned goods. One perfect thing as regards these sorts of food is that they keep for a while, making it possible to purchase them way before you need to use them. However, if you keep a stock of dry food in your pantry, kitchen, or storage room, it’s imperative to check and rotate your items habitually. As you procure new inventory, situate them behind the older ones to make certain that you use your recent stock. Make it a point to write the expiration date on all containers and throw away expired items. Rotating your dry food is one of the appropriate ways to keep away from getting sick from spoiled dry foods!
Cooler is Better
Though dry food can last a long time in the exact conditions, it can certainly also spoil quickly under the wrong conditions. This relates in particular if you undertake to keep your dry foods someplace that is not temperature controlled or that is too hot, even just part of the year. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the best possible temperature to store dry food is between 50 degrees and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything colder or warmer than that, and your dry goods will go bad far more quickly than they should.
Drier is Better
Apart from cooler temperatures, keeping dry food dry is highly essential. In humid climates, this can be particularly troublesome. Humidity can cause destruction to dry food and the packaging it comes in. Cardboard and even some cans will degenerate if there is too much moisture in the air. Boxes, specifically, can turn out to be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria when wet.
In humid climates, storing dry food in airtight glass containers is best for keeping things in bags and boxes. Though if that isn’t possible, and unless you live in a dry climate like that found in the southwestern U.S., you must make use of a dehumidifier or air conditioner to safeguard your dry food stores during the more humid parts of the year.
Keep it Centered
When choosing where to keep your dry food storage, it’s crucial to bear in mind that temperatures and humidity levels can vary, even inside the same room. To cite an instance, temperatures differ around the outside edges of a room, near windows and doors, and up high. Exterior surfaces are quite possibly to have condensation hazards and act as an invitation to bugs or rodents.
Even though you store your dry food inside your house, it’s perfect to put it someplace centrally located and, whenever possible, up off the floor. Keep away from areas that acquire direct sunlight or placing whatsoever against an exterior wall. If you actually use a basement or cellar for storage, don’t shelve food along any unfinished exterior cement walls. This will really help your dry food stay dry, clean, and ready to use as soon as the need comes up.
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