Freeze your Grain Staples - Money Saver

When you bring home grain items such as flour, rice, grits, noodles, cornmeal, oatmeal, baking mixes, etc., put them in the freezer for at least 24 hours. This prevents weevils, so your grain foods will last longer.

Freezing kills whatever larvae may be in the grain and they will not hatch. I know, too much information, but the truth is that the standards are not as strict as they should be. Freezing makes the grains healthier and they will be bug-free.

Next time you find a great sale on grain items, stock up and freeze them!

Comments: 15

April H. Apr 29, 2008, 8:01pm EDT

This is an awesome tip

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Mary M. Apr 29, 2008, 8:15pm EDT

Great tip:) I posted this one in an article a few days ago! What's that they say about "brilliant minds"?

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sheila ~the hapless housewife~ j. Apr 29, 2008, 8:35pm EDT

I've always done this since I learned about the little buggies the hard way.

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Steph A. Apr 29, 2008, 8:39pm EDT

Can you store them in the freezer for an extended period of time?

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Patty H. Apr 29, 2008, 9:22pm EDT

Dont forget pancake mix. Great advice and wonderful article.

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Jan S. Apr 30, 2008, 4:00am EDT

Yes, Steph, you can keep them frozen as long as you want.

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Jo C. Apr 30, 2008, 5:57am EDT

Super info!

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Missy Skids Apr 30, 2008, 9:36am EDT

Great info! Thanks!

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ISABEL Y. Apr 30, 2008, 11:55am EDT

I have always done this. I keep all grain items in my freezer until I use them. I also live near a "Bunny Bread" bakery, where I buy the honey-wheat bread my family likes for 1.19 each large loaf. I usually get a dozen or more at a time and freeze them. ( I do the same cereal ).

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Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Apr 30, 2008, 12:58pm EDT

I always keep my flour in teh freezer...but I never thought of other grains. I wish I would known about oat meal..........weevils everywhere one time.

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Karolyn Q. May 1, 2008, 7:43pm EDT

Thanks for the information!

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Donald M. May 1, 2008, 7:49pm EDT

Great article. I always grew up in the country where freezers were not available. Know it or not weivels are in all grain products. Granny would shake the cornmeal through the sifter and then throw the weavels outside . Let the birds eat them. My pantry being right behind the heat supply for my dining room. I learned to put cornmeal and flour , any grain product in freezer or fridge. I did not know that freezing killed the bugs.

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