Store infrequently used grains and flours in the freezer

What to Do

Keep whole wheat flour, nut flours, cornmeal, specialty grains, and other seldom-used dry goods in the freezer permanently rather than in the pantry. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip bags with air squeezed out.

Why It Works

Items that sit in the pantry for months give pantry pests time to complete their life cycle undetected. Permanent freezer storage eliminates this risk entirely. Whole grain flours also stay fresh longer when frozen, preventing rancidity from natural oils.

Tips

• Let frozen flour come to room temperature before baking for accurate measurements
• Almond flour, coconut flour, and flaxseed meal are especially prone to both rancidity and pest infestation — freezer storage solves both
• Reserve pantry space for high-turnover items like everyday rice and pasta