How long do dry pantry items last?

I have a whole bunch of half eaten dry pasta, beans and rice in my pantry. Many of them are in those plastic bags because I got them from the bulk bins, but some are in proper containers. None have any bugs or look bad, but they are probably 2+ years old (I know.. I know... I never remember what I have already when I'm at the store!) I'm cleaning out the pantry, but I'm not sure what has to be thrown away and what might still be good?

Thanks for any advice!

Anything that old I'd toss. 

I'd toss it, personally, rather than risk anything. 

And next time,  I'd date stuff.   

Dry pasta can last for years if it is in an air tight container. If it looks cracked or there is weevil poo at the bottom of the containers then I would toss.

I am with the voices above - dump it...

Pasta is cheap - get good containers and throw a post it inside with the date

I'd toss it if its that old. You would've already used it by now if you were going to!

Thanks, everyone. I guess I'll toss it. Nothing looks bad (no bugs, bug remains!) but I guess I have this thing about stuff I don't remember when I bought it. lol I need to clean that pantry out. I never even go into it and it's full of junk. Easier to just toss and move on with it, I suppose!

Thanks, everyone. I guess I'll toss it. Nothing looks bad (no bugs, bug remains!) but I guess I have this thing about stuff I don't remember when I bought it. lol I need to clean that pantry out. I never even go into it and it's full of junk. Easier to just toss and move on with it, I suppose!

I try to organise my pantry once ever few months or so, because it gets out of control pretty quickly. I move things I should use up soon to the front so I can see them and will hopefully remember to use them. Anything that is nearing its expiration date that I don't think I will want after all, I give to my MIL who refuses to waste anything. 

I try to organise my pantry once ever few months or so, because it gets out of control pretty quickly. I move things I should use up soon to the front so I can see them and will hopefully remember to use them.

This is a great suggestion.  Now if only I could remember to do it! 

This is a great suggestion.  Now if only I could remember to do it! 

Hehe... I pretty much have to or things start falling on me when I open the door. I'm a food hoarder. 

Yeah, I spent quite a lot of time organizing it a couple of years ago. Then I started working 3 jobs! I wasn't home at all last summer (I was in London) and once I got home, work started right away and it was another crazy year. I just left it because I stopped using it really. It's amazing how much stuff I got out of there, though! Apparently, I'm an empty bottle and jar hoarder! Had like 3 grocery bags full of those. I guess it was before I had a place to recycle them. I figured I might use them for water bottles or something. lol

It might help to make a shopping list too before you hit the grocery store.  DH and I have started writing out our dinner menus for a week to 10 days and then hit up the store to get what we need.  If we don't need it for the menus, we don't usually get it.  Except for cookies.  We always get cookies. 

DH and I have started writing out our dinner menus for a week to 10 days

My hubby would explode at the thought of being that organized!  I don't think I could do it either, but it sounds a great way to stay within budget and not get more than you need.

DH and I have started writing out our dinner menus for a week to 10 days and then hit up the store to get what we need. 

We do this. I think for me it's a time saving mechanism: I'm not sure how I'd have time to cook homemade food otherwise. 

But I do bake without too much planning but tend to having the required items anyhow. 

I plan a week ahead too. It's the only way I can function! 

But when weekends come, DH decides he wants all sorts of treats and the budget sort of goes out of the window.