Speaking of grits, I have an old open large bag

[mandyky]

Do birds eat it? Does it go bad? Any recipes for grits?

[Warpy]

1. Grits can go rancid. Give them the sniff test

If they pass the sniff test, then by all means, put them outside for birds and squirrels. If they fail, throw them into the compost.

Bags that have been open a very long time tend to draw bugs. I'm not sure I'd eat anything that's been sitting there for months.

I remember cleaning out the kitchen cabinets after my mother died. My father doesn't cook using anything but the microwave, so cleaning them out was WAY overdue. I took down one box of opened hot cereal. Just as he took it from me and complained that it would never go bad, a great big palmetto bug (cockroach on steroids) crawled out of the box and up his arm. I don't think I've seen him shut up so fast before or since.

The best policy with dry foodstuffs is to take them out of the bag and box when you open them and put the leftovers into glass jars. Label the jars with a Sharpie. It'll wash off when you use the last of whatever is in the jar.

[mandyky]

2. I have taken to using the new folger's coffee plastic containers

I also use them as "shake and bake" tools for coating things like chicken.

I put the grits in one, I think I'll put them out on the grass for the birds, There were some black flecks in it butit didn't smell bad.

[eleny]

4. Thanks for your shake and bake idea!

We fix oven fry chicken and pork chops. I've taken to using plastic zip lock bags for the coating. But I like your coffee can idea so much better. I save the plastic cans for the camper. Lightweight and they have that built in handle. I'm going to reserve one for this. I love this forum!

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Grain packages that have been open a while tend to morph into one of these

I'd toss it out fer da boidies.