The presence of the bran means that brown rice is more perishable, as the bran can become rancid. This limits its shelf life to only about six months, although that time can be extended considerably if the rice is refrigerated. Cooked brown rice, when not eaten immediately, should be cooled quickly. To store cooked rice, place it in a shallow container, cover it, and place it in the refrigerator. Cooked rice may be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days.