How to store cereals in large quantities. Conditions and terms of storage of cereals

This applies to absolutely everyone, regardless of material well-being, but especially economical people.

Home "bins" will save you from spontaneous trips to stores and insure in difficult times for the family.

It is important to remember that this "strategic" stock should not only be replenished when used, but also updated from time to time, as each product has its own expiration date. Today we will discuss the question of how to properly store cereals.

Speaking about the expiration dates of cereals, or, as we used to say, “bulk” products, it is important to remember that we are talking about the expiration dates subject to storage conditions.

If the conditions are not met, then the shelf life, of course, is reduced.

Three storage conditions for bulk products

For cereals, flour and sugar, no special storage conditions are required.

There are only three of them. The place where you are going to store your supplies should be:

• Dry
• Dark
• Chilly

The last condition is the most difficult, since in modern standard apartments there are no cool closets or any cellars suitable for storing food, and the lower the temperature, the longer the shelf life. The packaging usually indicates a temperature regime of no more than 20 degrees. Therefore, when looking for a place to store cereals and other products, you should try to find the coolest place in the house.

The container in which the products are stored also plays an important role. It should never be plastic bags. In them, cereals grow moldy and prey.

There are better options for storage. This:

• Paper bags
• Linen bags boiled in a strong saline solution
• Rigid containers - glass or plastic jars that are tightly (preferably hermetically) closed. It is convenient to store cereals in plastic bottles. They are hermetically sealed and it is very clearly visible what exactly is there and how it “feels”. Depending on the capacity of the bottles, you can choose the appropriate packaging (preferably pack in small portions)

Since we never know exactly how the cereals were stored until they were packaged, we cannot know with complete certainty whether they are not infected with some unpleasant living creatures.

Therefore, to be sure that no "kutska" will gobble up your stock, calcine the cereals in the oven or freeze them for 2-3 hours in the freezer. This will disinfect them.

The flour must be sifted.

Previously, in the days of the Soviet Union, when strategic reserves were created, steel wire or steel nails were placed in cereals. Thanks to this, cereals were stored for decades. A very simple and affordable way that you can adopt for storing cereals at home. To prevent nails from rusting no need to wash them just wipe thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Additionally, as a safety net, in a container where cereals are stored, you can put chestnuts from moths and garlic cloves (not peeled) from larvae.

The larvae do not live in sugar, but ants can start. Dry orange peels placed in bags will help scare them away.

To keep the cabinets where cereals are stored dry, you can lay out bay leaves and small containers of salt in the corners, which absorb moisture very well and have disinfectant properties.

Sugar dries out very quickly, you need to take special care of it. In no case should large bags be placed on the floor, a pallet is required. Make sure there is no source of moisture nearby.

If lumps still form in the sugar, it can be made crumbly again by heating these lumps in the microwave. Time 30 seconds, maximum temperature. At the same time, be sure to put a glass of water nearby, otherwise the sugar in the stove will simply burn.

By following these simple rules, you are much more likely to keep your stocks usable for the entire shelf life.

It is important to know that it is different for all products, so study the table below.

Table of shelf life of "bulk" products

Even if outwardly the products do not change in any way, after the expiration of the shelf life they may become unusable, bitterness may appear.

Therefore, it is so important to follow all of the above rules. Stick stickers on the containers with the date of laying the product in order to use those cereals or flour in time, whose expiration date is coming to an end.

Well, if you overlooked something, and moth, mold or bugs started up - throw it away without regret - health is more expensive! Don't skimp on health! Feed the birds or pass it on to your friends who have chickens in the village.

But it’s better to prevent spoilage, control your stocks and update them on time.

Be healthy and economical.

It is not allowed to lay the goods on the floor, as the product may sweat.

Groats are stored in warehouses at a relative humidity of no more than 75% and an air temperature of no more than 25 ° C. Oat flakes "Extra" according to STB are stored at a relative humidity of no more than 75% and an air temperature of no more than 20 ° C.

Sudden temperature fluctuations can cause part of the product to sweat, self-heating and mould. For long-term storage, it is better to use low temperatures - about 0 ° C.

From the moment the cereal arrives at the warehouse, a systematic control is established over the storage conditions, the condition and quality of the stored products. Control:

The temperature in the warehouse (thermometers installed at a height of 1.5 m from the floor);

Relative humidity in the warehouse (hygrometers, psychrometers, hygrographs, electronic psychrometers, etc., installed at a height of 1.5 m from the floor);

Cereal temperature (alcohol or electronic thermometers in a metal frame);

Taste, smell and color of cereals;

Pest infestation of cereals, equipment and storage facilities.

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During storage of cereals, there is a change in organoleptic indicators, rancidity, souring. With proper storage in dry cereals, self-heating and molding do not occur, but the processes of aging of high-molecular compounds, hydrolysis and oxidation of substances proceed, albeit slowly. The aging processes affect, first of all, the consumer properties of cooked porridge (the ability of cereals to swell during cooking, the duration of cooking and increase in volume).

For cereals, the following expiration dates are established from the date of manufacture:

Oat flakes "Extra" 6 months (STB);

Oat flakes "Hercules" and petal 4 months. (GOST);

Barley groats: barley groats 18 months, barley groats 15 months. (STB);

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Millet polished 9 months;

Semolina, corn, oatmeal 10 months,

Wheat groats (Artek, Poltava No. 3 and 4) 14 months;

Crushed rice, wheat Poltava No. 1 and No. 2 - 16 months;

Buckwheat, polished rice - 18 months;

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Buckwheat, chopped split peas - 20 months;

Cereal storage

Store cereals in dry, well-ventilated warehouses not contaminated by pests of grain stocks, observing sanitary rules. During storage, it is necessary to maintain a temperature not higher than 18 ° C (the optimum temperature is from -5 to 5 ° C) and a relative humidity of 60-70%, without sharp fluctuations. It is not allowed to store cereals together with pungent products. Storage time (in months): oatmeal and oatmeal - 4; polished millet - 9 (for southern regions - 6); semolina, corn, oatmeal - 10; barley groats - 15; wheat groats (Artek, Poltava No. 3 and 4) - 14; crushed rice, wheat Poltava No. 1 and 2 - 16; buckwheat, pearl barley, polished rice - 18; buckwheat, chopped split peas - 20; whole polished peas - 24.

The shelf life of imported quick-cooking cereals, depending on the technology and packaging used, can be from 6 to 12 months. The expiration date must be indicated on the packaging.

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Cereal storage

Conditions and terms of storage and transportation of cereals

Groats are suitable for long-term storage, they can be used at the place of production or transported over different distances, including long ones.

In the practice of storing cereals, it is necessary to take into account the same properties as those of the grain mass. Storage of cereals is carried out at cereal factories, warehouses and bases of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, less often - at bases, warehouses and trade and public catering enterprises.

Various methods are used to store cereals. The oldest and most common is the method of storage in textile containers, sewn from various fabrics. Use linen, jute, cotton and mixed bags with a capacity of 1 kg. Also, cereals are packaged in small containers of 1-3 kg, stored in boxes or boxes on pallets or racks.

Storage of cereals can be carried out both in heated and unheated warehouses, but always dry, clean, well-lit and ventilated, grain stocks not infected with pests, separately from pungent and perishable goods. Optimal parameters of the environment: relative humidity%, temperature from 5 to 15 °C.

Transportation of cereals over long distances is carried out in railway cars and vehicles. When transporting by rail, it is necessary to use absolutely dry, clean wagons that do not have foreign odors for loading products. In wagons, bags are placed on pallets at a distance of 0.5 m from the walls, leaving a passage between the stacks.

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During rail transportation, the natural loss of cereals should not exceed 0.09% for a distance of up to 1000 km and 0.13% for a distance of 1000 to 2000 km.

When transporting by road, it is also necessary to use dry, clean vehicles in which pungent-smelling substances have not been transported, soaking or contamination conditions must be excluded.

Transportation of cereals in containers is associated with high costs, packaging costs, the use of physical labor, and sometimes leads to spoilage and contamination of products. The transition to bulk storage and transportation according to the scheme: bagging bin of a groats plant -> wagon -> tank car -» receiving hopper of a packaging factory can provide greater savings and better preservation of cereals.

Packaging and labeling

Groats are usually packed in jute, flax-jute or cotton bags with a net weight of 65 to 70 kg. Each of them has a marking label made of paper or cardboard, which indicates the name of the product, its type, grade, net weight, production date and standard number. A significant part of the cereals are packaged directly at the groats factories in paper single-layer or cellophane bags of 900 g.

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How to store cereals: rules and terms

Grains and cereals can be stored for a very long time. But if the necessary conditions are not observed, they can become a habitat for small bugs, worms and other insects. To prevent this from happening, the hostess needs to know where to store cereals at home and how to do it correctly.

Capacity selection

Some inexperienced housewives store purchased bulk products in their original packaging. And this is their main mistake. Lack of tightness is the main reason for the appearance of insects. In addition, it is very inconvenient to store cereals in such containers. Over time, the package becomes unusable, and its contents may crumble.

To prevent bugs, cereal stocks are best stored in glass jars or special containers with airtight lids. A wide variety of containers are sold on store shelves, and each hostess will be able to choose containers to her taste.

Plastic containers are light, practical and convenient. When using them, the load on the locker will be minimal. Metal cans are beautiful and durable, but they have one significant drawback: rust spots can appear in them. Similar products made of stainless steel do not have this drawback, but they are also more expensive than other containers. Glass containers are convenient and beautiful, have a variety of designs. The best containers for storing cereals are ceramic containers. They are airtight, practical, pleasing to the eye with an attractive design. However, it is up to you to decide which container to give preference to.

Shelf life

Each cereal has its own shelf life. Stocks of rice should not be kept for more than 1.5 years. Keep it in closed jars or linen bags in a cool, dry place. And so that bugs do not start in the cereal, put 2-3 metal bottle caps or garlic in a container.

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The shelf life of quick-cooking cereals depends on the packaging and production technology and ranges from 6 to 12 months.

Millet does not lose its taste for only 4 months. If the cereal is stored longer, then before preparing the porridge, pour it with a solution of boiling water and soda (1 tsp of powder is needed for 1 liter of water), rinse thoroughly and dry.

It is advisable to use buckwheat in 20 months. To get the most out of it, roast it in a frying pan or in the oven beforehand.

The shelf life of semolina is 14 months. If after a long storage it has lost its taste, try frying it. The usual semolina porridge will be transformed.

Oatmeal does not have a long shelf life. They must be used up within 4-5 months. Especially if the cereal contains additives: fruits, berries, spices or cereals.

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The shelf life of quick-cooking cereals depends on the packaging and the technology of their production and ranges from 6 to 12 months.

Rules

• Be sure to pour purchased bulk products into special food containers.
• The storage location should be dry and dark with good ventilation.
• Optimal storage conditions - temperature from -5 to +5 ° C and humidity 60-70%. Make sure that the maximum temperature does not exceed +18 °C.
• Do not keep strong-smelling foods (smoked meats, spices, etc.) near cereals.

Folk tricks

Keep stocks of cereals in proper quality will help people's ingenuity. So that bugs and other insects do not start in bulk products, be sure to calcine them in a frying pan after purchase or keep them in the freezer for a day directly in the packaging from the manufacturer.

Some housewives prefer to put garlic cloves, bay leaves or lemon peels in containers with grains for the same purpose. Others, instead of pungent odors, use pieces of foil or ordinary tablespoons. It is enough to put them in the grits, and the bugs will bypass your stocks.

To protect rice from a musty smell that may arise from long storage, put a pod of red hot pepper in the container.

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In the winter season, bulk products can be transferred to the balcony. Low temperatures will not only protect them from bugs, but will also significantly extend the shelf life.

Take the above tips into service, and then uninvited guests will never start up in your stocks. Remember: in order to properly store cereals at home, you need to clearly know where and at what temperature it is better to keep them, what are the expiration dates for each type of grain.

How to properly store cereals

Not so long ago I wrote that it is very important to have a supply of food at home. This applies to absolutely everyone, regardless of material well-being, but especially economical people.

Home "bins" will save you from spontaneous trips to stores and insure in difficult times for the family.

Free legal advice:

It is important to remember that this "strategic" stock should not only be replenished when used, but also updated from time to time, as each product has its own expiration date. Today we will discuss the question of how to properly store cereals.

Speaking about the expiration dates of cereals, or, as we used to say, “bulk” products, it is important to remember that we are talking about the expiration dates subject to storage conditions.

If the conditions are not met, then the shelf life, of course, is reduced.

Three storage conditions for bulk products

For cereals, flour and sugar, no special storage conditions are required.

There are only three of them. The place where you are going to store your supplies should be:

Free legal advice:

The last condition is the most difficult, since in modern standard apartments there are no cool closets or any cellars suitable for storing food, and the lower the temperature, the longer the shelf life. The packaging usually indicates a temperature regime of no more than 20 degrees. Therefore, when looking for a place to store cereals and other products, you should try to find the coolest place in the house.

The container in which the products are stored also plays an important role. It should never be plastic bags. In them, cereals grow moldy and prey.

There are better options for storage. This:

• Paper bags
• Linen bags boiled in a strong saline solution
• Rigid containers - glass or plastic jars that are tightly (preferably hermetically) closed. It is convenient to store cereals in plastic bottles. They are hermetically sealed and it is very clearly visible what exactly is there and how it “feels”. Depending on the capacity of the bottles, you can choose the appropriate packaging (preferably pack in small portions)

Since we never know exactly how the cereals were stored until they were packaged, we cannot know with complete certainty whether they are not infected with some unpleasant living creatures.

Therefore, to be sure that no "kutska" will gobble up your stock, calcine the cereals in the oven or freeze them for 2-3 hours in the freezer. This will disinfect them.

Free legal advice:

The flour must be sifted.

Previously, in the days of the Soviet Union, when strategic reserves were created, steel wire or steel nails were placed in cereals. Thanks to this, cereals were stored for decades. A very simple and affordable way that you can adopt for storing cereals at home. To prevent the nails from rusting, you do not need to wash them, but simply wipe them thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Additionally, as a safety net, in a container where cereals are stored, you can put chestnuts from moths and garlic cloves (not peeled) from larvae.

The larvae do not live in sugar, but ants can start. Dry orange peels placed in bags will help scare them away.

To keep the cabinets where cereals are stored dry, you can lay out bay leaves and small containers of salt in the corners, which absorb moisture very well and have disinfectant properties.

Free legal advice:

Sugar dries out very quickly, you need to take special care of it. In no case should large bags be placed on the floor, a pallet is required. Make sure there is no source of moisture nearby.

If lumps still form in the sugar, it can be made crumbly again by heating these lumps in the microwave. Time 30 seconds, maximum temperature. At the same time, be sure to put a glass of water nearby, otherwise the sugar in the stove will simply burn.

By following these simple rules, you are much more likely to keep your stocks usable for the entire shelf life.

It is important to know that it is different for all products, so study the table below.

Table of shelf life of "bulk" products

Free legal advice:

Even if outwardly the products do not change in any way, after the expiration of the shelf life they may become unusable, bitterness may appear.

Therefore, it is so important to follow all of the above rules. Stick stickers on the containers with the date of laying the product in order to use those cereals or flour in time, whose expiration date is coming to an end.

Well, if you overlooked something, and moth, mold or bugs started up - throw it away without regret - health is more expensive! Don't skimp on health! Feed the birds or pass it on to your friends who have chickens in the village.

But it’s better to prevent spoilage, control your stocks and update them on time.

Be healthy and economical.

And here are some other interesting articles of the site - read:

2 comments: How to properly store cereals

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What container should you store flour in? Also in a plastic bottle?

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How to get what you want without spending too much?

Conditions and terms of storage of cereals

In this article, we will address the following questions:

• Types of pests;
• How to choose cereals, the shelf life of cereals;
• Types of storage containers;
• How to store cereals, proven storage secrets;
• Bugs in flour, cereals and how to deal with them.

It’s not worth talking about the benefits of cereals, there are many amazing recipes for preparing a wide variety of dishes from the cereals we are used to: rice, buckwheat, semolina, oatmeal, pearl barley, wheat, corn, barley, etc.

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We have been familiar with the taste and useful properties of various dishes from them since childhood. Many types of cereals are produced from various cereals and legumes. Which one gets on your table is a matter of your taste and preferences.

Many manufacturers are unscrupulous, and sellers are often unscrupulous or too economical and are completely unwilling to rid their counters or store shelves of goods that have expired or for any other reason that they do not allow them to be eaten.

As a rule, insects in cereals are planted as a result of non-compliance with sanitary control at the factory: unscrupulous manufacturers often do not perform the necessary heat treatment of products, and also store them incorrectly. And even if you buy bulk products exclusively in vacuum bags, there is no guarantee that they do not contain living creatures.

Bugs in cereals can also start up due to the wrong neighborhood - they can simply move from dried fruits, pasta, flour, tea, coffee, or even hot spices bought by weight and not immediately processed from possible pests.

Therefore, you should not blame yourself and doubt your own housekeeping and cleanliness if you have bugs.

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The most common way to get into the apartment is food and packages from the store. During production, the conditions, methods of packaging and transportation are often violated. All this leads to the appearance of bugs. It is very difficult to see insects in cereals at first sight, because they are small in size.

When buying cereals, try to monitor the quality of the purchased product. Packaging with cereals should not be cloudy, especially dirty or with visible insects.

There are several types of kitchen insects found in flour, nuts, dried fruits, cereals, spices:

The most tenacious, prolific, voracious and unpretentious pests. It takes a lot of effort to get them out. These are small beetles (1.8-3.7 mm long) of a cylindrical shape from light brown to red-brown in color, covered with short silky hairs. Often in a dwelling where grinders are wound up, living or dead insects can be seen on the windowsills.

They like to eat dry products of animal and vegetable origin: various cereals, grains, tea, coffee, flour products, crackers, animal feed, biscuits, dried fruits, nuts, dry medicinal plants (even poisonous!) And tobacco.

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Traces of the presence of grinders can also be found in book bindings, herbariums, where they leave many passages, laying their waste products in them.

The special insidiousness of bread grinders lies in the fact that with a slight infection, their stay in the food substrate is secret - they do not show up. But with a high population density, pests can be found on windows, walls and on the floor indoors. The use of products in which bread grinders are wound up, especially without heat treatment, is harmful to health!

These are small (1.5-2.5 mm long) coleopterous insects of a rusty-yellow color, covered with small silky hairs with long, widely spaced antennae.

They make their way into apartments with poorly dried food and high humidity. If the room has good ventilation and a normal level of humidity, then pests cannot survive. Red flour-eaters, as a rule, live in industrial enterprises - mills, bakeries, feed mills.

The taste preferences of these bugs are rather limited - flour eaters do not damage products whose moisture content is less than 15-17%, they are mainly content with rotting flour or cereals (most often corn) and dry animal feed. Dry cereals and flour do not touch. Gathering in groups in products, flour-eaters increase their humidity, pollute them with excrement and shells from larvae. A characteristic sign of the presence of a flour eater is the flour sieves gnawed by it.

Insects have a characteristic elongated nose, and most often start up in pasta, flour products, rice, and buckwheat. Sometimes they eat legumes.

Small, reddish-brown beetles, only 3-3.5 mm in size, with short antennae, rounded sides and small wings (however, they cannot fly). These insects enter the kitchen from the brought bags of starch or flour, from where they spread throughout the territory, crawling into cracks, latches, loosely covered containers with dry products. Especially these beetles "respect" flour, rice, buckwheat, semolina, Artek cereals, millet and dried fruits. Under favorable conditions, flour beetles reproduce well, bringing up to four generations a year. Food damaged by the beetle becomes lumpy and, of course, unsuitable for food. Their use is fraught with the appearance of allergic reactions, indigestion or even poisoning.

Simple rules will help you not to make a mistake in choosing cereals:

• A categorical no "loose" or non-factory packaging. Groats in bulk are at least unhygienic. It is best to choose a transparent factory packaging, through which you can clearly see whether all the grains are equally whole and whether there are impurities. In addition, in sealed packaging, cereals are stored longer.
• No lumps. Make sure that the cereal is not caked - this is the result of improper storage - next to water, as a result, the cereal gains moisture and the taste becomes worse.
• Pay attention to the smell! There should be no foreign smells in the cereal, each cereal has its own aroma, but none should smell of dampness or mold. If you smell honey, then there are ticks. Any cereal, if it is fresh, tastes sweet and only oatmeal can be slightly bitter.
• There should be no husks and bugs in the cereal, and crushed grains should not come across among whole grains - this may indicate that pests have already settled there.
• Try to always pay attention to the date of manufacture, because the longer the cereal lies, the more likely it is that it has begun to deteriorate. Remember that in the first half of the year, before harvesting, we buy cereals that have already lain at least since last year. And in the old cereals, moths and bugs can start, and it starts to taste bitter, this is especially true for millet.

Shelf life of some cereals in months:

wheat, rice and barley -12,

Of course, so that the cereal does not deteriorate, you need to store it properly.

Containers with tight lids, in dry pantries or boxes without foreign odors, are best suited for this. It is better not to store cereals at home in the manufacturer's cellophane packaging or in fabric bags. Ideal in glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids.

It will also be good for cereals in a plastic container, especially if it is equipped with rubber gaskets for a tighter fit of the lid.

Metal boxes for storing cereals and flour quickly rust and do not provide the necessary tightness.

It is not worth storing cereals and other types of groceries for a long time. Over time, the fats contained in the cereal become rancid, the taste deteriorates, and the nutritional properties are reduced.

Containers should not be placed in direct sunlight. Hide them in the closet - so your cereal will be whole. For greater safety, you can put a couple of cloves of garlic, chili pepper or bay leaf in a container with cereals, which bugs do not like very much. A bag of salt, which protects the cereal from moisture, will not be superfluous.

But keep in mind that even perfectly “packed” cereals cannot be stored forever.

After the purchase, some housewives recommend frying the cereal in the oven. This will not harm the quality of the cereal, but it will be possible to get rid of the larvae of the bugs, if they are still in the cereal. Others advise keeping cereals in the freezer. There is logic here - the cold is fatal for both bugs and larvae. You don’t need to keep cereals in the freezer all the time, 48 hours is enough. If it happens in winter, take the cereal to the balcony - it's more convenient, because there is more space and the freezer will be free.

In any case, freshly bought cereals should be checked. Although measures are taken in production to prevent insect contamination of cereals, troubles happen quite often. Even in seemingly clean cereals there may be larvae. Therefore, an important piece of advice to housewives is not to neglect to check the newly purchased cereals and, from time to time, your containers and cabinets with cereals.

How to get rid of bugs in flour?

Small portions of spoiled cereals do not have to be thrown away. First, they should be sifted on a fine sieve, then dried in an oven, heated to 110 ° C.

How to get rid of flour bugs and pests in semolina?

Spoiled products are placed on the balcony (in the winter season) or in the freezer for 48 hours. Then they are also sieved. It is flour and semolina that do not change their taste after such processing.

What to do if insects are wound up in peas or legumes?

Pour the cereal with salted water and leave for 5-10 minutes. After that, drain the liquid with emerging insects and their larvae, and dry the products.

Large quantities of cereals, where pests are wound up, are better to be completely thrown away. The waste products of pests are dangerous and cause significant harm to humans.

With the current availability of cereals, the easiest and most reliable way to get rid of pests is to throw away the affected cereal. If some cereals were stored in leaky packaging, then it is highly likely that the bugs made their way into all open packages. Even if there are no visible insects, they could lay eggs. Therefore, the main advice is to clear the cabinets of all cereals that were stored in leaky containers. And those products that were stored correctly should be carefully checked and it is advisable to carry out preventive treatment.

If for some reason you do not want to get rid of all leaky bags and containers, you can follow the tips described above and try to deal with pests yourself. Important. If the degree of damage to the product is high, it must be discarded.

If bugs are found, it is imperative to get rid of them not only in products, but also in furniture

They can be destroyed only with the complete elimination of larvae and laid eggs. Empty the cabinets from containers and bags, sweep out all the spilled flour, cereals, and wipe all the shelves with a solution of vinegar (one spoonful per liter of water). You can exterminate pests in cracks and hard-to-reach places with boiling water. Containers from cereals and flour are also thoroughly washed and doused with hot water. It will be sufficient to wash the containers in the dishwasher.

On the shelves of cabinets where cereals are stored, you can put small fabric bags with Persian chamomile or lavender (you can search in pharmacies), it is harmless to humans, and poison to bugs.

But the best pest control is prevention. Maintain cleanliness in food storage cabinets, use airtight containers. Periodically check the cereals for pests, and wipe the cabinets with a solution of vinegar and water.

Don't buy groceries. Buy bulk materials in small portions, but more often. Then, in any case, the bugs will not have time to settle in your products.

Try to keep the kitchen always dry and warm, high humidity is the best environment for various harmful insects.

Check the expiration date when buying.

For information on how to get rid of food moths, read the following publications.

I. Tikhonov "The Big Book of Soviet Economics". Moscow, AST, 2016

Bogatyrev S.A. "Technology of storage and transportation of goods"

"Business Slavyansk" has collected useful tips for you on how to properly store cereals, in other words, what conditions must be created so that they are stored for a long time and without problems.

Do not store them in plastic or paper bags, in which you bought them, because the bag can tear, the cereal will crumble, and when you collect it, garbage will naturally fall into it, no matter how hard you try. Groats in a plastic bag can “suffocate”, as a special perforated bag is needed to store it. Therefore, the purchased cereals should immediately be poured into a dry, clean glass or metal container. If the cereal requires it, you need to sort it out immediately, from this later the cooking process will take much less time.

From time to time, you need to open jars of cereals and check them for pests. Already spoiled cereals do not eat.

What pests can be encountered in the kitchen, in cereals? Barn weevils, Surinamese flour eaters, bread grinders and other pests can settle here with pleasure. For a person, in principle, they are not dangerous, but unpleasant. These are bugs that can appear in your croup for several reasons.

If you want pests to forget their way to you, put a few cloves of garlic (in peel) in a container with cereals. When storing cereals, starch and flour, put gauze bags with salt on the bottom of the container, and dry lemon peel, bay leaves or chestnut (one of the three products) on top. A piece of foil or an ordinary iron spoon placed in a container with cereal / flour helps well against bugs. You can put a pod of hot pepper, it protects the rice not only from pests, but also from mustiness.

Capacities: making a choice

Metal jars. Of course, they look stylish and of high quality, but such containers have their own minus - they can easily rust, and this will not happen from water ingress, but simply, over time. Not only does it look ugly, but also the harmful oxidation processes will dissipate on your cereal, thereby not adding useful and taste properties to it, but rather the opposite. Stainless steel jars will not provoke such problems.

• Plastic- quite a convenient and appropriate option, they often have an attractive appearance, and also boast an important plus - they are very light, which is why the load on the lockers is minimal. When there are 10 jars on one shelf, then, you know, this fact will play a significant role, in the truest sense of the word. Alternatively, ordinary plastic water bottles are possible.
• Glass containers. Probably one of the best and optimal options. Modern glass jars for cereals have a stylish design, they may differ in price, but if you do not chase brands, you can choose a decent option at a very reasonable price. And in general, it is believed that ordinary jars with lids can also be used as containers for storing cereals.
• Ceramic containers. Also an excellent and very stylish option, it is considered that this is the best solution for storing any bulk products.

Naturally, all these containers must have a good airtight lid that will close tightly without leaving gaps. By the way, in addition to special containers, ordinary linen bags are excellent for such purposes, which must first be soaked in saline and then ironed. You can put the cereal in a bag directly into a glass or any other container, so you will definitely forget about bugs and other annoying insects.

Video survey of residents of Slavyansk:

Keep out bugs and other pests

We figured out the containers, everyone made their choice, but that's not all. It turns out that in order for the cereals to be stored for as long as possible, and at the same time everything was done without bugs, as well as the occurrence of unpleasant odors, you need to resort to some tricks.

Not all grains keep the same length of time.. For example, rice can easily be stored for years, nothing will happen to it, but buckwheat is stored for no longer than 20 months. Millet is not at all a long-liver, so that the porridge turns out tasty, it can be stored for no more than 4 months, otherwise the cereal will then be bitter and give off an unpleasant odor. Oatmeal also does not lie for a long time, optimally 4-5 months, especially if it is muesli with various additives.

In order to prevent bugs in rice and so that it does not give off a musty smell, put a pod of hot pepper in a container. If there is no pepper, then a few cloves of garlic will do, and you do not need to peel off the top skin from them.

Another method that is suitable for all cereals is the use of gauze bags of salt, which can be placed on the bottom of the container. Some housewives put dry bay leaves or lemon zest, which is also very effective.

If the bugs are still wound up

Flour usually gets "living creatures" when the humidity is too high. It is easy to determine this indicator. You need to pay attention to whether the flour creaks between your fingers: if not, its moisture content is increased.

If it was nevertheless infected, it is necessary to sift through a fine sieve, then pour it onto clean paper with a layer of three centimeters, and then dry it in the oven. Pay attention to the temperature - it should be no more than 50 ° C, otherwise the flour is no longer suitable for baking. After drying, it is poured into a paper or cloth bag, which is placed in another one. The bottom of the second bag should be lined with calendula flowers. They are great at repelling insects. Garlic cloves can also solve the problem of the appearance of bugs.

If semolina was infected with insects, then everything can be fixed. It is necessary to sift it through a large sieve, and then pour water (slightly salted). After some time, the larvae and worms will emerge. It will not work to dry such cereals, but you can still cook porridge or add it to meat cutlets instead of bread.

If buckwheat is infected, then the groats will have to be sorted out, then thoroughly doused with cold water and sent to the oven to dry. Ignite it at 60 ° C, and when it cools down, it is necessary to pour buckwheat into a linen bag and take it to the cold, for example, to the balcony. There it will be perfectly preserved until the summer.

Millet can be stored for up to 4 months, then the upper shell of the grain, as a rule, deteriorates. That's what you need to try to get rid of. Millet should be washed in cold water, then pour boiling water and leave for 4 hours. After that, it is poured with warm water, a little baking soda is added (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water) and the grits are rubbed with hands. Now it can be washed and dried in the oven.

Thus, spoiled cereals can always be saved. But it is better to prevent the appearance of insects.

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Although most cereals are quite cheap, many people get very upset when they find bugs and midges in their kitchen cabinets. These insects multiply very quickly: if they start up in a bag with one cereal, then in a couple of weeks they “occupy” the entire closet.

If insects are found, you have to throw out the entire contents of the kitchen cabinet. With bugs and midges, you can not only fight, but also prevent their appearance. The rules for storing cereals are quite simple, and if every housewife adheres to them, then you will not have to constantly throw away fresh food.

How to deal with bugs?

Cereals are ideal products for the reproduction of insects such as bread grinders, Suriname flour eaters, barn weevils. They quickly leave traces of their vital activity, which not only spoil the taste of food, but also often lead to poisoning. What causes bugs in cereal bags? They may already be in the cereal when you buy it in the store. Manufacturers are required to process cereals before packaging, but, unfortunately, they do not always do this.

Many housewives after buying cereals warm it up or put it in the freezer for a day. So, if you buy grits by weight, such manipulations will help reduce the risk of bug breeding.

It should be noted that bugs appear not only in cereals, but also in dried fruits brought from Central Asia. Before storage, rinse and dry prunes, raisins and dried apricots in the oven, and then store dried fruits separately from cereals.

Shelf life

• Semolina, rice, buckwheat and flour can be stored at home for no more than six months.
• Hercules, oatmeal, unground and millet are stored for only four months.
• And polished rice can be kept on a shelf in a closet for several years.
• Millet, hercules, oatmeal and buckwheat are stored only in a cool place at a temperature of 18 degrees. These cereals contain vegetable fats that oxidize in heat. If stored at high temperatures, they will become bitter over time.

Best Packaging

The best "packaging" for storing cereals are linen bags boiled in saline. The fabric allows the grains to "breathe" and the salt keeps mold and insects out of the bags.

Another good option for storage is plastic or glass containers that are hermetically sealed with lids. So that worms do not start in the cereals, put a clove of garlic in the container with the product. In winter, cereals can be stored on the balcony in large tightly closed containers.

In addition to all kinds of bugs and moths that start up in different types of cereals, loose grains are at risk of becoming bitter and tasteless when cooked. Each cereal has its own shelf life, during which it retains its taste, appearance and useful properties. For example, rice, the shelf life of which, according to the manufacturer's packaging, is 12 months, is still better not to be stored for more than six months. Buckwheat can lie for a longer period - up to one and a half years. Semolina and oatmeal are most at risk of unwanted organisms appearing in them, so it is better to make such stocks for a period of no more than 5-6 months.

It is recommended to lay cereals for long-term storage in the autumn. At this time, the risk of buying old crop cereals (which, accordingly, has already stale on the shelves of stores and warehouses) is much lower than in spring. Groats from a fresh crop have a maximum supply of vitamins.

When buying cereals in small quantities, it is recommended to sort them out at home and only then store them for storage. However, there is an effective and easy way to secure your stocks - put a bag of cereal in the freezer or on the balcony (if the temperature is below zero). The cereal is frozen, possible larvae die in it. After such a procedure, it will be stored for a long time.

Basic rules for storing cereals

If you are going to make bulk stocks, it is important to pay attention to what they will be stored in and at what temperature. Having chosen the optimal place and method of storage, it is better to resort to additional tricks in order to surely rid yourself of unwanted living creatures.

Storage method

Glass or ceramic dishes are better than containers made of other materials, suitable for storing bulk. The easiest, fastest and cheapest option is to use traditional glass jars for preservation. It is important to consider that it is not worth closing such containers with plastic lids. Instead, it is better to use a piece of linen, cotton fabric or gauze folded in several layers. To secure the fabric in the form of a cover, an elastic band for money or ribbon will help. This design will allow the cereal inside the jar to “breathe”, prevent the appearance of a stale, rotten smell.

Storage

Under the influence of light, and especially direct sunlight, the product deteriorates. Containers with cereals must be cleaned in a dark, dry place. In the kitchen, this is often the kitchen cabinet (it is recommended to leave the jars in the lower cabinets, where it is cooler). There is always quick access there and cereals are at hand during cooking. Bulk in large quantities can be left in the pantry, provided that it does not store all kinds of chemical and toxic substances.

Secrets when storing cereals

You can prevent the appearance of bugs and an unpleasant odor by putting a bay leaf or a pod of hot pepper on the bottom of the jar. It is easy to get rid of excess moisture, which can spoil the cereal, with the help of salt - a bag made of natural fabric with salt inside must be placed on the bottom of the jar, and the cereal should be poured on top.

If you are going to store cereals at home, you should follow the basic rules. Loose, left in a glass container with air access, which stands in a dark, cool place, will retain their beneficial properties for a longer period.