Best Ways to Store Food Long-Term Without a Basement?

[BlueSkyWanderer]

No basement here, so I'm stuck storing food upstairs and in closets. What's the best way to keep things like rice, beans, and canned goods cool and dry long-term without a root cellar? Anyone using pantries or attic spaces with success? Tips for avoiding spoilage and pests?

 

[MarigoldBreeze]

No basement here, so I'm stuck storing food upstairs and in closets. What's the best way to keep things like rice, beans, and canned goods cool and dry long-term without a root cellar? Anyone using pantries or attic spaces with success? Tips for avoiding spoilage and pests?

Pantries work better than attics—heat’s a real enemy for long-term storage up there. I keep my rice and beans in food-safe buckets with bay leaves tucked in, and haven’t had any pest issues that way.