Storing bulk products in the kitchen: ideas on how and what to do correctly

According to GOST

1. GOST 55290-2012 “Buckwheat. General technical conditions".
2. GOST 26791-89 “Grain processing products. Packaging, labeling, transportation, storage.”
3. GOSTs 6292-93, 3034-75, 7022-97, 276-60, 6002-69 “Technical conditions for cereals: rice, oatmeal, semolina, wheat, corn.”
4. SanPin 2.3.2.1324-03 “Hygienic requirements for shelf life and storage conditions of food products” establishes the above indicators for various goods, including cereals.
5. SanPin 2.3.6.1079-013 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for public catering organizations, production, circulation of food products, food raw materials” are developed to prevent the occurrence and spread of infectious and non-infectious diseases.
6. SanPin 1078-01 “Hygienic requirements for safety and nutritional value” regulate standards for production, import, and circulation.
7. TU 9294-002-1837641-01 “Instant Cereals” applies to products processed in this way.

How to store to prevent bugs from getting in

To avoid unpleasant inhabitants in your products, just follow a few simple tips:

1. You can buy special liners for cabinets where food is stored. They have a specific smell that repels insects.
2. Do not store cereals in plastic bags , insects can chew through such containers.
3. Before sending new cereals for storage, you need to check whether there are pests on other cereals. Bugs can quickly move to fresh produce.
4. Place a clove of garlic or bay leaf ; their smell will repel pests. A slice of lemon is also suitable for this purpose.
5. Keep the product in the freezer for 3-4 days to prevent pests.
6. A small bag filled with salt can repel bugs.
7. Regularly check all available cereals for insects.

Marking

Each package of goods indicates:

• manufacturer, details;
• Product name;
• its mass;
• date of manufacture;
• shelf life;
• details of the standard or specifications;
• the nutritional value.

When packaging by an enterprise, markings are applied typographically to the packaging. When a supermarket sells goods by weight, the data is placed inside or glued to the top of the container.

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Important: it is better to buy cereals in original packaging, which contains all the required information about the manufacturer and expiration date.

Useful tips

1. During storage, the air humidity in the room should not exceed 65-70%, and the temperature should not exceed 19-20 degrees.
2. For semolina, pearl barley, millet and oatmeal, cool storage is desirable. Otherwise, they may acquire a bitter taste. This is due to the fact that at temperatures above 16-18 degrees, vegetable fat can go rancid. If you cannot maintain this temperature, buy these cereals in small quantities.
3. It is unacceptable to store cereals in basements, poorly ventilated and damp areas.
4. Do not scoop sugar, flour or spices with a wet or damp spoon. A wet product can not only lose its quality, but also become moldy. For the same reason, you should not hold open containers with bulk products over a saucepan or frying pan when something is being cooked there.
5. Do not store salt, sugar, flour, rice and other cereals in open packages next to foods that have a strong odor. Such products include spices, dried mushrooms and herbs.
6. Also, cleaning agents and detergents containing odorous fragrances should not be placed near the storage area for bulk products.
7. To preserve the taste of products and protect them from spoilage, try not to make bulk purchases unless absolutely necessary. It's better to renew your supplies as you use them.

We recommend: Where to store preserved food if you don’t have a cellar?

Timing and types

Grains are divided into three types: whole, crushed, compressed. The same cereal crops can produce several types. Cereals made from whole grains (kernels) are stored for about a year, crushed ones (chipped) - up to six months, and flakes (compressed) - no more than 4 months. The timing depends on the conditions of detention.

How to choose the right one in the store

Before purchasing, it is important to carefully examine the condition of the cereal. It is worth making sure that it was stored in the store under normal conditions. Humidity indicators and the tightness of the packages are of no small importance. If there are dark spots, lumps or insects in the packaging, you should refuse such a purchase. However, such problems can only be identified if the cereal is in a transparent bag.

If it is packaged in paper or cardboard packaging, freshness can only be assessed by the date of release of the product. It is advisable to choose cereals no older than 2-4 months.

Proper storage

This process includes selection of proper environmental conditions, packaging, and shelf life.

Buckwheat

After purchase, you need to open the cellophane package and transfer the contents to a glass or iron container with a tight-fitting lid. A canvas bag soaked in salt can be used. Storing in commercial containers leads to rancidity.

For large volumes and long-term preparations, it is worth frying. A clove of unpeeled garlic or a couple of bay leaves inside will prevent cereal bugs. Buckwheat does not like direct sunlight, heat, or dampness.

Manna

Cereals should be purchased in transparent packaging. Lumps, husks, and bugs are visible through it, which indicates improper living conditions. The date on the packaging indicates the permissible time of use. Once opened, it must be consumed within 8 months in winter, and within 3 months in summer.

Additional preventive measures against insects: storing the unopened package in the refrigerator for several days, drying the unopened package in the oven. Then sift through a large sieve.

It is better to place the semolina in a glass, ceramic container with an airtight lid or a fabric bag. A dry, cool (not higher than 21 ˚C) room is favorable.

Rice

Rice is a coarse grain. The original packaging is not suitable for storage. A container made of glass, ceramics, or special plastic is used for storing food products. Pepper, garlic, bay leaf or a metal object (nail or spoon) inside the container will protect rice from bugs. Favorable temperature +5…+15 ˚С. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

Herkulesova

This is a compressed derivative of oatmeal. The damaged outer shell and high fat content ensure a short shelf life of 4 months. To avoid moisture ingress, the container must be closed.

You can keep oatmeal, keeping the store packaging, in the refrigerator at a temperature of +8...+10 ˚С. The time of use begins from the date of manufacture, not packaging.

Oat

When choosing cereals, you should buy golden-colored ones that are not glued together. Preferably kept in fabric bags or paper bags. The room must be clean, dry, constant temperature no higher than +25 ˚С, humidity 70%. The period of use is set by the manufacturer and indicated on the packaging.

Wheat

A well-ventilated room with a temperature of +18 ˚С, hermetically sealed containers is the key to successful storage of wheat derivatives. Glass, ceramic, iron, plastic - any dry containers will do.

Wheat should not be kept near strong-smelling spices. Sales are marked on the packaging; after the expiration date, the product cannot be consumed.

Corn

High humidity promotes the establishment of insects and mites, and also leads to rancidity of the product. Optimum humidity 60-70%, temperature from -5 to +5 ˚С, absence of light - these are the conditions for keeping such grains.

Dry, clean, hermetically sealed containers will help preserve the flavor of the grains. Priority is given to fabric bags and paper bags.

Yachneva

After purchase, the cereal is poured from the pack into prepared glass or plastic containers and stored in a cool, ventilated area. The time of use is set by the manufacturer as indicated on the packaging. When purchasing, you should visually determine the presence of debris, lumps, and insects.

Lentil

Cloth or canvas bags are the most suitable containers for lentils. Cardboard boxes will also work. Glass jars and plastic bags can form condensation and are not suitable for storing legumes. Damp, hot rooms contribute to the formation of rot and mold.

You need a dry, dark place away from heating devices. If supplies are replenished, previously purchased and newly purchased grains should not be mixed.

Millet

The storage time is short; you should not buy millet in reserve. The best packaging, as for most cereals, is a container made of fabric or paper; it allows the millet to breathe without acquiring a rancid effect.

The place chosen is cool, dark, ventilated. Maximum temperature +25 ˚С, humidity 70%. Millet is a delicate cereal derivative with sufficient fat content.

Perlova

Barley derivative. The shelf life of whole grains is long. Storage is carried out in containers with a lid. The container should be ventilated, but limit the entry of insects.

Periodically it is necessary to check the quality of grain for bugs and mites. Bright light and dampness are unacceptable.

Important: when storing a product not in the purchased packaging, do not forget to put a note in the container indicating its expiration date!

Textile bags

As a child, there were bags in the cabinets with the names of the contents embroidered on them: sugar, salt, beans, millet, buckwheat, rice. Each bulk product has its own personalized container. The main thing in such storage is not to create confusion. My grandmother sewed these bags with her own hands. All made of linen, with beautiful original embroidery. You won't find such beauty in stores.

On a note. I purchased basmati rice for pilaf to order. The branded packaging is a textile bag with a zipper. The drawback is that there is a pattern on the front. If you use your imagination, you can correct the situation so that the bag becomes universal for storing different types of cereals.

Join the ranks of needlewomen or order from a master. The bags are sewn from cotton fabric, jute, linen (it doesn’t matter what is best to store in, the materials are natural). It is important to choose a thick, high-quality fabric that will preserve the appearance and products. Additionally, you can mark on each package the type of cereal that will be inside. Even with a simple fabric marker, write an inscription.

Once the bags are sewn, process them for food grade. Simply boil it in salted water and dry it. Sprinkle grains and enjoy an original and attractive storage system in your kitchen.

Bulk products in such packaging are well ventilated, maintaining freshness and aroma. But watch the humidity so as not to spoil the cereal.

Instant cereals

This is semi-finished food. The raw materials are processed in a separator, washed, steamed, flattened, filled with water and boiled with steam. There are two types:

1. Requires short cooking time. Cereals undergo additional processing, which reduces cooking time.
2. Pour boiling water without cooking. This is a ready-made dehydrated dish. When filled with hot water, it restores its quality and is ready for use.

The shelf life of instant food is determined by the manufacturer, usually 9-12 months from the date of manufacture. The sachet should be opened immediately before eating.

Why do you need to store cereals correctly?

The cabinets where cereals are stored must be perfectly clean so that there are no food bugs or moths. It’s very unpleasant when you want to make pea soup, and bugs have settled in the cereal. You will have to either throw away the product or painstakingly remove the pests. Yes, and you can easily look at the insect and cook soup with it. Of course, having met it in your spoon, your appetite will disappear for a long time.

To prevent this problem from affecting housewives, you need to properly organize the storage of pasta and cereals.

How to find out what has gone bad

Cereals and their derivatives can deteriorate for two reasons: the shelf life expires, the preservation technology is violated. Depravity is determined by a number of signs:

• musty smell;
• color change;
• mold and mold smell;
• presence of barn pests, larvae;
• web;
• grain gluing;
• sour, bitter taste when cooking.

Important : spoiled cereals cannot be sold or used!

Is it possible to use expired

After the expiration date, cereals become unfit for consumption. The fat included in the composition oxidizes over time. Acidity increases, infection with fungi and parasites is possible. A spoiled product has an adverse effect on the human body, poisoning it.

In past centuries, Chinese condemned to death were fed moldy, rancid rice. The execution of the sentence was long and painful.

When stored for a long time, cereals lose their nutritional value. Their use becomes useless and can cause harm.

Worst options

It is worth highlighting a number of tips that are found among housewives. Unfortunately, you don’t always have to follow them; in most cases, you will end up with spoiled cereals in a short time. Among them:

1. Plastic bags. This method of storing cereals will cause buckwheat or rice to “suffocate.” There is no ventilation in such containers; after a few days the air becomes stale, and the cereal develops a specific taste. And if a little moisture gets in, throw the bags away immediately. Mold develops instantly. As in the joke, when in a store a customer asks for Dor Blue. The seller clarifies what it is. Blue cheese. To which the store employee replies: “There is no cheese. There are sausages and dor blue bread.” So suddenly you are a fan of porridge in this category.
2. Carton boxes. It is considered an unsuccessful option for containers for storing porridge. Any moisture that gets in, even from outside, will cause food spoilage.
3. I do not recommend stacking containers or jars of cereal over the kitchen sink. Again, the reason is high humidity, which negatively affects the storage of cereals. They don't like water before cooking.
4. I heard a funny way. Place the cereal in a package and store it in the refrigerator. At the same time, the food moth larvae will freeze. I don’t argue that the option to get rid of possible residents is a mess. But a method that should only be used for a few days (it is recommended to keep the cereal in the refrigerator or freezer for 4 days). But now think about what will happen to your cereal when it starts to get soggy on the shelf. After all, the device still has a positive temperature. So I’ll better consider the methods of primary processing of cereals a little lower in the article.

Approach storing cereals thinking with your head. For years, our ancestors kept stocks of bags of buckwheat, sugar, dry peas and more. Learn from their experience and improve your methods.

Unusual ideas for storing cereals in the kitchen

Unusual dispensers

Thoughtful to the smallest detail, but at the same time simple dispenser for bulk products will help you easily measure the right amount of food without unnecessary fuss with packaging. And such devices will add coziness and make the atmosphere in the kitchen more progressive. This plus will please not only fans of cereal breakfasts, but almost all practical people. Such a dispensary can be purchased in an Oldend store from 1500 rubles https://oldidom.ru/product/dispenser-dlya-sypuchih-produktov-triple-cereral-dispenser?yclid=0

Secret sliding panel

It is not necessary to display your culinary supplies for everyone to see - they can be disguised. For example, by building a retractable shelf into a kitchen set, which will look like an ordinary decorative panel.

This method is quite unusual, but requires significant costs: you will have to purchase a custom-made kitchen. However, the final result is worth it - few people can hold back an exclamation of surprise when they see how you take out pasta or seasonings for it from the seemingly solid wall of the set.

Hanging shelves for refrigerator

If you have easy access to the side wall of the refrigerator, a wall-mounted structure that can accommodate sealed jars for bulk products can be a great solution for a small kitchen.

This way they won’t take up precious space on the shelves, but will always be in order and in sight. This method is a kind of organizer that will greatly facilitate the search for the necessary ingredients for cooking.

Tip: For a white refrigerator, choose shelves that match the color scheme in the kitchen. If you bought a more original colored unit, choose a suspended structure in a contrasting shade. Such shelves can be bought on Aliexpress from 250 rubles https://aliexpress.ru/item/4000261259672.html?spm=a2g0v.search0302.3.208.3f0a75e2ewTpBu&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_0,searchweb201603_0,ppcSwitch_0&algo_pvid =da546ca9-370c-47e5-99e0-adbac53603c5&algo_expid =da546ca9-370c-47e5-99e0-adbac53603c5-29

Retro cabinet

A hanging wooden cabinet with glass doors and iron handles looks good. It fits well into a kitchen decorated in a classic style. You can arrange the drawers symmetrically, or you can arrange them in a chaotic order, alternating the sizes and colors of the doors.

This option looks impressive, but it is necessary to take into account some nuances. The first of them is price. Most likely, the cabinet will need to be custom-made to suit the color scheme of your kitchen.

The second can be considered more significant - if the product is of poor quality, you will not be able to ensure the tightness of the products, which will negatively affect their shelf life and may cause the appearance of kitchen moths.

Alchemy laboratory

Probably, almost everyone dreamed of becoming a wizard in childhood. Now you can at least partially realize your dreams! Small narrow test tubes with spices and wide flasks with cereals and pasta will look very impressive on a hanging shelf.

You can also add mystery bottles of vinegar and vegetable oils. This design looks very interesting and mysterious. However, be careful not to hang it over the stove, even if your beakers are heat-resistant: constant heating does not improve the properties of the food.

An interesting technique: Containers with glass of different colors can add originality to an already interesting idea. If you decide to place vegetable oils on this shelf, make them aromatic - add herbs or berries to them. This will make your shelf look even more like the shelf of a wise wizard.

Hanging stand

Containers hung by strong hooks on a metal or wooden sheet on the wall look non-standard. You may have to make it protruding in order to organically place containers with cereals. It is better to choose oblong narrow containers.

When using this design technique, you must take into account that it looks best in kitchens decorated in a modern style. In addition, it will be difficult to arrange containers of different sizes beautifully - it may be better to use the method only for cereals or spices. In this case, it is better to come up with another option for the second type of product. You can find out more about this in the article on proper storage of spices in the kitchen

Rack with pull-out shelves

A small narrow cabinet with pull-out shelves will also look original. You can see these in the supermarket. Make several large drawers for cereals and pasta, a couple of smaller ones for coffee and tea, and very tiny ones for spices.

Such a cabinet, especially if it is designed to match a kitchen set, will look organic. Pull-out shelves make it easier to find the products you need and organize the arrangement of products.

If you are not a fan of large stocks, you can make such a rack in the form of a small decorative cabinet placed on the kitchen panel or built into the set. In any case, such shelves are convenient and easy to implement.

As a decor for the kitchen

Love a rustic-style space? Then place beautiful jars for spices, cereals, tea and coffee on small open shelves. Choose cute lids for them - for example, wrapped in fabric. It is not necessary to buy them identical: on the contrary, different ones, but decorated in the same style, will look better.

Do not place more than two or three containers on one shelf - this creates an overloaded effect and does not look as impressive as five or six shelves with several cans. Such banks can be purchased at IKEA from 140 rubles https://www.ikea.com/ru/ru/p/korken-banka-s-kryshkoy-prozrachnoe-steklo-50372451/

As for the sizes, also show your imagination - select containers of different sizes, but of the same shape. In this case, the kitchen will not look boring, but you will be able to avoid clumsiness.

Interesting addition: Don't try to place the spices like this. Small, lightweight jars are difficult to keep organized on an open shelf. It's better to place them in a small wall basket. Alternatively, it can be hung from one of the shelves. Just make sure the fasteners are strong enough.

Thus, the storage of cereals and other bulk products must be correct; certain conditions must be observed; cereals can only be stored in sealed containers.