Does rice absorb water?

In this brief guide, we will answer the question “Does rice absorb water?” and tell you if you can use rice to absorb moisture from a wet phone.

Does rice absorb water?

Yes, rice absorbs water. Rice is a hygroscopic grain which means that it absorbs moisture when there is a lot of humidity. On the other hand, it also loses that moisture when the surroundings are dry. This happens due to changes in vapor pressure.

Ever noticed that rice grows bigger after you have boiled it? This is because it absorbs water!

Can rice be used to absorb moisture from a wet phone?

Have you ever heard people saying that you should put your phone in rice after you have accidentally knocked a glass of water on it or if you have dropped your phone in the toilet?

This is because rice can absorb moisture. However, this is only a temporary fix. While rice can absorb some of the moisture from your phone, it can not absorb moisture from some deep areas inside your phone. You can try this method if you are really desperate for a solution, but you should not entirely rely on it.

To do this, grab an airtight container and fill it with dry rice. Next, put your phone inside of it and make sure it is completely covered with rice. Place the lid back on and tightly seal it. Let your phone stay there for a day or two. Then take out your phone and check if it is working.

Also, after your phone has gotten wet, do not try to turn it on or plug in your charger. Put it in rice first and then try turning it on.

Does rice expire?

Yes, rice can expire. Rice has a long shelf life when it is unopened and dry. Once it has been opened, it can spoil. Cooked rice, on the other hand, gets spoiled within 4 days of being refrigerated.

You may have heard that rice has an indefinite shelf life. While that is not entirely true, it really depends on the kind of rice you are using and how you store it. Dry brown rice spoils faster than dry white rice. 

You can tell if the rice has gone bad by looking at it. The difference in texture will give you your answer. Uncooked rice, when spoiled, will be infested by small bugs which are red in color and can be spotted easily.

In addition you can look for any holes or check if it feels damp to touch. If it feels damp, mold can grow on it or already has.

Uncooked rice can also give off a bad smell. This is especially true for brown rice. Since brown rice has high fat content, spoiled brown rice will give off a rancid smell. They will also be oily to touch. 

Look for any discoloration in brown rice as well. 

On the other hand, expired cooked rice will have a slimy gelatinous texture rather than being velvety and airy. 

It is very important to check if the rice you are eating has not spoiled because raw rice contains a bacteria called Bacillus cereus which produces spores. These pores are heat resistant and often survive higher temperatures so they may not be killed by cooking the rice.

When cooked rice is allowed to sit for longer periods of time, these spores will start to grow. Bacillus cereus causes a severe type of food poisoning. 

Learn about shelf lives of rice here.

How to properly store rice?

  1. When unopened, rice can be kept in the pantry in a cool, dry place.
  1. Once opened, rice should be placed inside an airtight jar (preferably glass jar) and kept in a cool, dry, dark place and away from moisture.
  1. If you wish to store rice for longer periods of time, place it in a heavy duty freezer bag and put it in the freezer.
  1. Once cooked, do not leave the rice out for more than two hours.
  1. Place the rice in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. 
  1. Freeze the cooked rice if you wish to store it for a long period of time.

Other FAQs about Rice that you may be interested in.

Does rice contain sugar?

Does rice expand in your stomach?

Does rice go bad if left out?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “Does rice absorb water?” and tell you if you can use rice to absorb moisture from a wet phone.

Citations

https://dampsolving.com/rice-absorb-moisture/

https://antonscafebar.com/other-useful/frequent-question-how-does-rice-increase-when-cooked.html

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-rice-go-bad#dangers

https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/does-uncooked-rice-go-bad

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