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ELLEN'S KITCHEN
Cook Talk
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Microwaving to remover flour weevils
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Edie
04/10/08
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I was wondering if anyone out there knows how long four and/or grain should be microwaved to destroy the pesty flour weevil. I have heard it can be done but unable to find out further info.
I live aboard a sailboat and must store products for long periods of time. I have tried bay laurel. Freezing is not an option nor using my oven at low temps--130 degrees? for 30 minutes at a time. Any help would be appreciated.
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ellen
04/10/08
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Hi, Edie,
In the tropics, you just keep a nylon and sift out the weevils...
The only way I can see the microwave working is to cook or blow up the eggs. You could try 5 minutes- be sure the layer of flour is 1 inch so the waves can penetrate fully.
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ellen
04/10/08
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Here is a summary from a Chinese study on killing weevils:
All insect life stages can be killed by super-cooling in a deep freeze at 0 degrees F for 4 days, cold storage at 32 degrees F for 58 days, or super-heating in an oven at 145 degrees F for 2 hours or in a microwave oven for 5 minutes. However, seeds saved for planting may have the germination reduced by super-cooling, super-heating, or microwave methods. After treatment, seeds should be stored in containers of glass, heavy plastic, or metal with screw-type, airtight lids. Refrigeration or deep freeze storage is helpful.
Basically, the flour or grain has to get to 145-160 throughout.
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