When storing cereal, moisture, humidity, and air are the enemy. Ideally, the cereal should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
You can, of course, store cereal in the fridge instead of the pantry, but whether or not you should depends on where you live.
The fridge can extend the shelf life of your cereal if you reside in a humid area. You should keep whole-grain cereals in the fridge for long-term storage because they have higher natural fats, which make the cereal go bad much faster at room temperature than it does in the fridge.
Before placing your cereal in the fridge, always put it into an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing moisture and smells from other foods.
You can store your cereal in the pantry if you reside in an area where the air is dry.
Your cereal will stay fresh for several months in an unopened cereal box from the grocery store because it’s airtight. However, this is no longer the case once you open the box.
See Also: Do You Need a Pantry in Your Kitchen? How To Decide
Is It Ok to Freeze Cereal?
Freezing is probably the worst cereal storing method as it can significantly change its texture and make it too soggy to eat!
But you can sometimes get away with freezing plain cereals instead of cereals with fruits, thanks to their lower moisture content.
Short-Term Cereal Storage
If you know your family will eat the whole cereal box within a week, the best thing to do is roll down the plastic bag inside the cereal box, secure it with a clip, and organize all the boxes vertically in your pantry.
You can even use a plastic bag or newspaper to stuff the space at the top of the cereal box to keep the air out—it works!
Long-term Cereal Storage!
If you have extra cereal that your family won’t be able to consume anytime soon, the best way to store it in your pantry and preserve its crunch is by using mylar bags with oxygen absorbers (link to Amazon).
Because they’re tightly sealed, these bags can be easily organized vertically or horizontally in your pantry.
Many moms swear by these incredible bags for long-term cereal storage. When stored properly, your cereals can remain fresh in mylar bags for several months. This is because the bag is designed to make a durable and robust barrier between the cornflakes and the outside environment.
It can be thoroughly sealed with an iron, preventing air, water, and bugs from penetrating the bag.
See Also: 10 Best Solutions To Deal With a Deep Pantry
Can You Store Cereal in Plastic Boxes?
The short answer is yes, you can. However, if you want to do this safely, you want to ensure that the boxes are made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic.
Look for the identification number within the recycling symbol to check if the boxes contain BPA (3 triangle-shaped arrows). Plastic boxes with a 2, 4, or 5 are safe for storing cereal and other foods.
The best part is, there’s no need to be concerned about the effects of heating the plastic because it’s usually stored cold!
If you’re, like me, an over-protective mom, I recommend that you keep the boxes away from direct sunlight and wash them with lukewarm water instead of hot water.
For optimal aesthetics, these boxes should be organized horizontally in your pantry.
What about Glass Containers?
You can also opt for glass containers if you’re not clumsy and not afraid of accidentally breaking the containers.
Glass and BPA-free plastic are equally safe. Thus, there is no difference between the two in terms of safety. If you don’t mind any accidental breakages from time to time, glass containers are even better than plastic ones due to their high durability.
However, ensure you don’t put glass containers high in your pantry to avoid breakages and hurting your little ones.
No Cereal Containers? No Problem!
Say goodbye to ugly torn boxes and dried-up cereal to greet you every morning with this life-changing hack!
One of the best methods to organize cereal boxes in the pantry is using a simple fold-and-tuck technique. This method does not take more than seconds to secure box tops, store your cereal boxes in the pantry, and keep the flakes as fresh as ever!
Here’s how to close ANY cereal box and maintain freshness at the same time:
- Start by tucking 2 small side flaps and 1 long flap into each cereal box.
- Now, create a ‘V’ shape by folding the 2 short sides of the box inward and pinching the sides together.
- Finally, slide the other long flap into your cereal box, and tuck it between the inner fold and the opposite side of the box. The flaps should stay tucked inside the box, making for a tighter seal and a neater appearance.
You can now go on and stack your boxes horizontally or line them up vertically. Why is this a great way to store cereal? When keeping the boxes on their sides in the pantry, you won’t have to worry about the tightly sealed top releasing an avalanche of flakes all over the kitchen.
If you don’t have storage containers in hand, this is an excellent method to store your cornflakes, even though repackaging them is typically the best method to save space and maintain freshness.
These techniques will only work for up to 1 or 2 weeks. But transferring the cereal to an airtight container will allow you to store it for a few months, which is more effective in keeping air out and stopping any pantry pests.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know all the tips and tricks you need to store and organize cereal in the pantry, apply what you learned and start the day by eating fresh and crunchy cereal. Now isn’t this the best way to start your day off right?
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