Dry rice is sometimes contaminated with bacteria spores known as Bacillus cereus. This bacteria can survive the cooking process, so it's important that you refrigerate rice after cooking it if you aren't going to eat it right away. If you are packing rice for a picnic lunch or traveling with a rice-based dish, it's best to chill the rice and store it in a cooler with plenty of freezer packs to keep the rice cold, since the bacteria thrives in a warm environment.
Chill
Cool the rice quickly after you cook it, and place the cooled rice in the refrigerator. When you're ready to take the rice outdoors, pack it in an airtight container and surround the container with ice packs to keep the rice chilled. Place the rice and the cold packs in a cooler and close the lid. The temperature inside the cooler should stay below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the rice from spoiling.
Toss
When you take your rice out of the cooler to serve it, make note of the time. After the rice has been outside of the cooler and at the ambient temperature, you have about four hours before the rice could potentially start to spoil. When the rice has been out of the refrigerator or the cooler for four hours, it's bet to throw the rice away to reduce your risk of catching a foodborne illness.
Freeze
If you plan on taking rice to eat outdoors, you can freeze the rice ahead of time and allow it to thaw as you travel to your destination, for up to four hours. Wrap cooked rice in plastic wrap, then freeze the rice overnight. Remove the rice from the freezer before you leave and allow it to thaw in a lunch box or sealed plastic container as you travel. You can also quickly microwave the frozen rice when you are ready to eat it if you prefer warm rice or if the rice is still partially frozen.
Considerations
Do not refreeze rice that has already been frozen and thawed. Keep cooked rice on ice or in a refrigerator as long as possible, even when taking rice outdoors to eat. Cool cooked rice as quickly as possible by placing the rice in small, shallow containers before refrigerating. If you experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea within six hours of eating rice, your rice might be contaminated with bacteria. Throw the rice away to be safe.
