Can I Store Grains and Spices in a Storage Unit During a Move?

Hali Bey Ramdene
Hali Bey Ramdene
Hali Bey Ramdene is the founder of StudioHalibey, a creative consultancy that tells stories around food, good living, and well-being.
updated May 1, 2019
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Q: I am moving from NYC to Houston, Texas, but my belongings will be in storage in Texas for about three weeks. I have a great number of spices and terrific grains from my winter CSA that I know I won’t finish before the big move.

I imagine my storage situation will be climate-controlled, but I can’t guarantee it. What from my pantry could survive transit and three weeks of storage in Texas in June, and what should I pitch?

Sent by Angela

Editor: Having just made a big cross-country move myself, I’ll tell you what I did: I gave away all the grains — the risk of them spoiling or attracting critters in the storage unit is just to high to hold on to them. I did, however, keep my spices. I made sure they were very, very well-packaged, transferring some to different containers before they were packed away. Unwrapping them after I moved into my new place was like seeing old friends!

Kitchn readers, how have you dealt with pantry items during a move?

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Ingredient
pantry
Rice & Grains
Tips & Techniques