How to store a 50kg bag in Lagos

A 50kg bag is a lot of rice. Keep it off the floor, away from damp walls, and closed after each use.

Lagos air holds moisture. A bag left on bare concrete can pick up that damp, and the grain at the bottom is the first to spoil. Set the bag on a wooden pallet or a clean plastic sheet. Leave a gap between the bag and the wall so air can move.

Once you open the bag, move what you will cook this week into a dry, covered container. Fold the sack over and keep it in a closed cupboard or a room that does not get the afternoon sun. Do not store rice next to soap, fuel, or anything with a strong smell. The grain takes that smell on.

Check the bag every few weeks. If you see insects or a musty smell, do not cook that rice. Kensington bags are sealed and dated when they leave the warehouse. A cool, dry corner at home keeps them that way until the bag is finished.

If you are still deciding whether a 50kg bag is the right amount, read which bag size to buy.