Grain and Flour Storage
Don't Wait
If you're new to organic grains and flours you need to take action as soon as your package arrives at home. Our bags and packaging are designed for shipping and transfer, not long term storage. If you're unsure about how quickly you'll use your grain or flour then you need to take additional steps to ensure preservation.
Grain Storage
Clean Grain Attracts Life
We guarantee our grain packages for up to 90 days. The downside to organic crops and no chemical pesticides or processing is there’s no way to kill all the bugs. We take great care to clean, store, and ship grain without invaders. You can take additional steps to increase the shelf life.
Short Term Storage (1 year or less)
Farmers’ Storehouse bags are designed for shipping and short term storage. It’s always best to transfer grain to an air-tight container or pantry jar and store in a cool, low humidity environment away from direct sunlight.
Long Term Storage (More than 1 year)
When stored properly grains can last 25 years and beyond. Store grain in air tight containers in a dark, consistently cool temperature, low humidity environment with oxygen and humidity absorbers. You can store grain in food grade 5 gallon buckets, but it's best to displace the oxygen in the container. Starting with a clean, empty bucket add about 1oz of dry ice. Wrap the dry ice in a paper towel or place a paper plate, upside down on top of the dry ice. Add your grain to the bucket. Place another 1oz of dry ice on top, using a paper towel or plate to shield the wheat berries from the dry ice. This floods the container with CO2 and displaces the oxygen. Place the lid on the top of the bucket, slightly ajar. After 30 minutes you can seal the container completely.
Flour Storage
More Nutrition, More Problems
We guarantee our flour packages for up to 30 days. Freshly milled flour is in a more vulnerable state to bugs, microorganism, and mold. The superior nutrition and digestibility of our flour also makes it more attractive to everything else, that you want to keep out. Take action quickly to properly store your flour.
Raw Flours
If you're receiving freshly milled whole raw flour, it has a very short shelf life. It's typically fine for a week in the cupboard, but no more. If you're not using it that day it should go into the fridge. You don't want to keep it, unused in the cupboard for six days then transfer to the fridge, it's nearly spoiled by then. If you're not using it that week it should go into the freezer. If you don't have an immediate plan for all your raw flour, just err on the side of caution and put it in the freezer immediately, you can always pull it out whenever you need.
Shelf Stable Flours
These are the flours and blends that have been milled by the Millworks team in advance. All Purpose Flour, 7 Grain Melody (Pancake and Waffle Mix), Artisan Bread, Storehouse Starter, Tartaria Bread, Pie and Pastry, Cornbread Mix, Biscuit, Tipo 00, Farro Pizza Flour, and Creamy Wheat are all shelf stable. Shelf stable flours should be stored in clean glass containers with secure lids away from light and humidity. They can last 9 months in the cupboard without issue. If you choose to keep your flour it in the original package, and especially if it is an open bag, then the shelf life will decrease dramatically.