How to Store Flour and Avoid Flour Bugs

Knowing how to store flour correctly can help keep it fresh and free from bugs. While flour is one of the pantry staples most people assume lasts forever and is technically non-perishable, it can begin to go bad when exposed to sunlight, oxygen, and moisture. Most of us are guilty of buying flour in a large three-pound bag and slowly using it over a few years, but the truth is, there are so many efficient ways to store flour to ensure it maintains its freshness.

How Long Does Flour Last?

If kept in its original paper bag, flour can spoil within three months, which isn't very long (especially if you don't cook or bake with flour often). Storing flour properly will help your flour last anywhere from 10 months to a year (perhaps more), depending on the storage method.

Thankfully, it's easy to know if your flour has gone bad and it's time to throw it in the trash. The easiest way to tell if flour is spoiled is by smelling it. If the flour has a stale, sour, or musty odor, it's time to toss it. Another tell-tale sign is if your flour has moldy chunks or takes on a different color. If this happens, it's time to buy a new bag.

How to Store Flour

One of the best ways to keep flour fresh and free from bugs is to store it in an airtight container away from light and moisture. Here, we break down what to look for when storing your flour.

Use an Airtight Container

Storing dry ingredients in airtight food storage containers has certainly grown in popularity. Well, not only will your pantry look clean and organized, but if you use those containers, you'll also help prolong the shelf life of many of your ingredients, including flour.

Storing flour in airtight plasticware or a glass mason jar will keep it fresh for up to 10 months and keep pests like flour bugs at bay. If you have the tools to vacuum seal your flour, it can last up to two years.

Keep in a Cool, Dark, and Dry Place

To keep flour from spoiling too fast, protect it from environmental factors like light, moisture, and heat. Storing your flour in a cool, dry, and dark spot (like the pantry) is ideal. Too much light (especially sunlight) can cause oxidation, and too much moisture can increase the risk for bacteria.

Long Term Flour Storage Options

If you don't use your flour often, consider keeping it in the fridge or freezer to extend the shelf life.

Store in the Fridge Up to a Year

Most varieties of flour will last for up to a year in the refrigerator if stored properly. It's a good idea to use an airtight container and label it with the date you originally stored it, so you can keep track. Store your flour in the fridge away from any items that could give off moisture because moisture can affect the quality of the flour and cause it to clump.

Keep in the Freezer Longer Term

Storing flour in the freezer is the most sensible option if you don't use it very often or buy it in bulk. Frozen flour has an indefinite shelf life if stored in a container with oxygen absorbers. A vacuum-sealing system or Mylar bags are the best for removing as much air as possible and preserving freshness.

What About Other Types of Flour?

Although many different types of flour are available for purchase, remember that specialty flours (such as whole wheat flour, almond flour, and others) tend to expire faster than big-brand all-purpose flours. It's best to store these types of flour in the freezer to help them last longer, especially since they're typically used less often. Of course, the general storage guidelines of reducing light and moisture exposure still apply. Here is a breakdown of the estimated shelf-life for various flour types—all dependent on storage method.