“In an emergency, is it possible to soak rice in water to make it edible (if there is no heat source for cooking)? If so, how long must it soak?”
http://www.solarcooking.org/plans/
There’s always a heat source. Make a solar oven with the kids using a cardboard box and a roll of foil. Fold it up and store it away for that emergency.
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Pasta_%26_Rice
Solar cooked rice is very easy and has a good nutty taste.
“Solar cooked rice is very easy and has a good nutty taste.”
That works, but so does a camping stove and 5 gallons of gasoline (my strategy). I realize that gasoline has a shelf-life (but that can be extended to 2 years with Stabil), and that the 5 gallons will run out...but it will cook A LOT of rice before it starts getting low, and I mean A LOT of rice. That’s my plan...although I have more than one stove and lots of spare parts (and about 40 gallons of gas sitting in containers...LOL).