Where best to store bread

[kooky4]

I'm having an ongoing battle with my housemate, we share the same loaf of bread but he insists on storing it in the fridge and I think it lasts longer if its stored in a cupboard. What's the consensus on this ?

[redcrx]

In the summer i find that it doesnt last long if in cupboard, even the bread makers have notes on packaging to say it will deteriorate before best before date.
But well cooler at this time of year I find it lasts ok in a bread bin, cool and dry.

[CheekyChops]

I can't say I have ever heard of anyone keeping a loaf in the fridge before. I always keep mine in a cupboard (no room in my tiny kitchen for a breadbin!) although I do have a friend who stores hers in the microwave as it is airtight.

[zimzam]

I keep my bread in the fridge. I am a toast and marmite freak so bread doesn't last long in this pit anyway.

[drchasuble]

I buy a loaf, slice and freeze. Never goes off.

[BBWCHATT]

I live alone - so one loaf lasts a long time - I usually leave it out the first day and then put it in the fridge - otherwise, it will be bad in a few days and way before I use it all. If I don't think I will use it for a longer period of time - I put it in the freezer and just take out a couple of slices at a time and pop them in the toaster to make a sandwich.

[zimzam]

Talking bread - does anyone else find it only lasts a few days before all you can do with it is toast it? I don't want to sidetrack from the initial question, but these days bread simply does not keep fresh for as long, irrespective of how you store it. I buy sliced loaves and keep one in the freezer and the other in the fridge. I have a breadmaker and when I use that the bread lasts far longer. (well if I don't eat it all at once all hot and oozing melting butter) I have left sliced bread out (in a cupboard or worktop) and its mouldy within 3-4 days - I leave it in the fridge and it lasts a week. What are the bakers doing with their massed wholesale ready sliced bread these days?

[zimzam]

Hey BBW? I have a microwave with a built in vertical toaster.......how the heck can I make spaghetti on toast or a welsh rarebit withoug bug*ering up the microwave? You have an answer to everything so I defy you to answer this culinary question, roflmao.

[loopy lass]

why not cut the bread in half, put your half in the cupboard and your housemate's in the fridge. then you will see which one is best.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! let us know though.

[heathfield]

The more cool bread is kept, the slower those mould bugs grow. It will last longer in the fridge. I have worked aboard ships where bread was stored in freezers till required. Lasted months. Home-made bread tends to contain less fats and sugars than supermarket stuff, and grows mouldy less quickly because of that.
Toast sliced bread straight from the freezer for crispy outside, lovely and soft inside.

[Gef]

Bread it not meant to stay fresh for several days. Unfortunately in the UK we now seem to rely on bland sliced loaves (I admit I do) rather than buying fresh bread every day. I used to love holidays in France where everytime you needed bread you could walk to the shop and buy fresh stuff. I wish it was like that here.

[BBWCHATT]

zimzam - I have never noticed one of those - I don't know if we have them here - is it made like this one?

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave- ovens/lg-md2642gt.asp

[zimzam]

Yes BBW, thats very similar to my one.

[shaneystar2]

i keep mine in old enamel bread bin that belonged to my mother ..it is really ancient but I can't bear to part with it .It's kept in a cool pantry and doesn't go mouldly. Bit stale perhaps after a couple of days but I use it up for toast or in bread pudding or put it out for the birds.They aren't fussy !!

The warmth in a kitchen can make bread go mouldy quickly
We are lucky in having a family baker on the doorstep so can buy fresh when we want but even sliced pap makers Warburtons don't recommend keeping it in the fridge .

http://www.warburtons.co.uk/our_products/store /index.html

[Zeddy]

Exactly Gef. A lot of people have "busy" lives nowadays and cannot accept the fact that fresh food should be eaten quickly otherwise the bacteria and mould will first.
Bread should be a premium product i.e. bought fresh daily but people want to keep it for days.
Support your local baker, not supermarket.

[filthiestfis]

I know of lots of people who refridgerate bread. Anyway, I freeze it but the downside to that is that you need to wait to defrost it unless you toast it.