Spice and rub freshness

[Speed]

I was wondering how you keep your spices and rubs fresh. I've heard of everything from just keeping them away form light and heat to putting them in the freezer. What is your method?

[DATsBBQ]

Out of sunlight and away from heat (like between the stove top and range hood). Ones that aren't used all that much are stored in food saver canisters.

[Gator]

Dark, dry and cool spot.

[Mechnech]

In my pantry in the back room, cool, dry and no heat.

[Davidtxs]

agreed with all above I keep mine in a cabinet away from the stove

[BigDave]

The key to fresh spices and rubs is to start with fresh stuff! We get our spices from Penderys which turns their inventory over quickly so you are startin with fresh spices. Most grocery store stuff ain't that fresh!

I buy small amounts of spice, 1 pound or less so the spice is used up quick. And, it is kept in jars or spice grade bags not plain ole ziplock bags. If you can smell the spice thru a bag you be loosing freshness and aroma. We store the spices in a cabinet that is not in the kitchen. Keep them spices in a cool (room temp is just fine) dark place.

[ChileFarmer]

Dark, cool and dry for me. CF

[Papa Tom]

As some of you have seen I have a stock. Some are kept in the pantry but a large portion are kept in my closet. Yep cool, dark and dry.

[Tuck]

Dark, dry and cool spot.

What he said he's the "SpiceMan"

Tuck

[jtilk]

I agree with everyone that said a dark, dry, cool place as light, humidity and heat will all age the premature... but just as a rule of thumb I try to not keep anything longer than 9-12 months. After that I trash it and buy new and mark the date on the bottom of the cannister with a sharpie.

[B-hill's BBQ]

I agree with Josh, if you don't plan on using a lot of it don't buy too much and keep in a cool spot, not cold spot. I would think freezing the spices may break them down and would avoid doing that. I was told by some coffee affecionado that I shouldn't do it with my coffee either, but I usually drink that much faster than my spices to have to do that anyhow.

[niget2002]

Looks like I'll be rethinking my storage. Mine are all kept in a cabinet either up above the stove or just to the left of it.

I also need to go through and filter them down to just the ones I use. We have somehow collected a bunch of weird spices that we only used for one dish.

We hope to get an island in our Kitchen, and I think I'll make a bunch of shallow drawers in it to keep the spices in. Since this is where we'll start prepping the food anyways, it may make more sense.

[aikenmike1]

Cool, dark, and dry keeps the spices happy

[dub']

And whole trumps pre-ground.

dub(just like burger-grind yer own)

[slickyboyboo]

I vacuum seal mine, and store in the freezer.