Where to Store Bread in the Kitchen
For bread and buns, the rules are not written on stone on where these baked items should be stored. However, if you want the goods to remain fresh for longer, you should keep them in a cool area — preferably in an air-tight container.
Homemade bread should not be stored in a sealed container while it’s still hot. Otherwise, the steam from the bread will make mold develop quickly. You shouldn’t be worried about the bread getting a little air –this is the reason for bread boxes having air holes. However, if the bread is exposed to too much air, it will dry faster.
There are various bread storage options that you can choose. Generally, you are likely to choose one option over another based on its convenience rather than the overall style. With that said, you will also want to unclutter the counter to have a stylish kitchen. Therefore, make sure the bread storage option you choose is not only convenient but also keeps the kitchen free from clutter.
Where is the Best Place to Store Bread?
If you are wondering where to store bread in the kitchen, I’ve provided a number of options below. Moreover, I’ve touched on the reasons why some places where people store bread, scones, buns, and other baked goods are not really ideal.
Let’s get started.
Storing Bread in a Bread Box
For decades, bread boxes have been a popular storage option in kitchens. The vintage kitchenware items are not just usable but also collectibles. Today, bread boxes come in different styles, sizes, and finishes. The right bread bin can be stylish and a great kitchen accent.
Most bread bins are quite small. Therefore, choose one whose size will be suitable for your baked goods. You also want to store the bread box near where you usually work.
If you want to free space on the counter, get under-cabinet bread boxes. However, these boxes are not easily available and come in limited choices.
If you are up for some work, you can adapt a regular bread box and attach it under an upper cabinet. But before you do this, check how the lid opens. Retractable bread boxes would not work. The bread box should have a flat top and be made from durable material that will last when it’s improvised as an under-cabinet unit.
Before buying a bread box, think of how much space it will occupy where you’ll place it. Also, check the quality of the material used to construct it, especially the door, since it will get a lot of traffic. Finally, if you would like to store other items on top of the bread box, look for one with a flat top.
Storing Bread in a Drawer
Some kitchen cupboards are designed to allow for a deep drawer with an easy-to-clean inner lining. When closed, the drawer has a “lid” that seals the unit. Such a drawer is the best option for storing bread.
When renovating your kitchen, install a middle drawer rather than a bottom one. You’ll find a middle drawer more convenient for storing bread. Also, ensure that the drawer is close to where you usually do the baking.
If you are not planning a kitchen makeover anytime soon and there is already a deep drawer, you can store bread in a plastic bin or container, or bread bag in the drawer. If you choose to store bread in drawers, check the contents regularly to ensure you do not forget any items, especially those that may be at the bottom.
Expandable Bread Boxes
Another storage option you can consider, especially for homemade bread, is clear, acrylic expandable bread boxes. This unit can only store one bread, a few scones, or buns but expands as required.
The acrylic bread box will have to be stored on a cabinet shelf, in an appliance garage, or on your counter.
Storing Bread in a Cabinet
Most people store bread and buns on the lower shelf of an upper kitchen cabinet. This seems like an ideal storage area since the bread is close to where breakfast is prepared. However, storing bread in a cabinet means sacrificing space that could otherwise be used for glassware. Moreover, the cabinet will look messy when the door is opened.
Storing bread in a cabinet may be a good option if you have adequate upper cabinet space. However, make sure you keep the cabinet shelf tidy and review its contents regularly. While bread bags are secured, crumbs are likely to collect where you are keeping the bread. Therefore, clean the cabinets routinely to prevent pests from coming to the shelf.
Storing Bread on the Counter
Keeping bagged bread or buns on the table or counter is really convenient. However, the counter may end up being congested and this will make the kitchen look messy.
You won’t really be inspired to cook or bake when your counter is cluttered with everything, from décor to everyday food. In fact, your creative flows will be inhibited since it takes too long to clear the mess and create a more inspiring counter.
With that said, most bread boxes are made to be stored on the counter. There are a few under-cabinet models, though. If you have an on-counter bread box, keep it at a spot away from your main workspace.
Unlike what you may be thinking, it is not a good idea to store bread on top of the refrigerator. Since refrigerator tops are usually warm, your bread will dry out faster or condensation may form in the bag, which will fasten the molding process.
For the same reasons, you should not store bread on top of portable dishwasher tops, which usually have steam. This storage should only be resorted to as a temporary option but not as a last resort.
Storing Bread in an Appliance Garage
While an appliance garage is meant for storing kitchen equipment, nothing is stopping you from storing bread there too. An appliance garage is great for keeping your appliance out of sight when they are not being used.
Depending on your kitchen counter space, you can go for a straight or corner design appliance garage. The garage will have enough space for storing both your bread, bread knife, breadboard, and other baggage. You can purchase appliance garages made of wood or wood composite at the local store that sells kitchen cabinets.
Before buying an appliance garage, choose one whose finish will match the design or color scheme of your cabinets. Alternatively, you can buy an unfinished model and finish it to match your kitchen décor. Before ordering, get the correct measurements where the garage will be installed. You should expect to pay from $100 upwards for a good appliance garage.
A corner appliance garage uses counter space that is usually wasted but still provide ample storage space.
Other Bread Storage Options
There are also other storage options for your baked goods that you can consider. For example, you can store bread, scones, buns and other baked goods in a clear bin with a tight lid inside a top or bottom cabinet, on a microwave cart, or on a side shelf. If you wish, you can add air holes to the bin.
During some seasons, the best place to store bread would be inside a refrigerator. However, while keeping the bread refrigerated will improve its shelf life, it will become dry faster.
Tips for Storing Bread in a Freezer
You should keep bread non-refrigerated for only 2 to 3 days. From there, you should put the bread in a freezer.
Generally, bread and buns freeze well. However, the goods usually end up developing frost inside the bags and get freezer burn faster than other frozen foods. Therefore, you would not want to freeze a large amount of these baked items. Also, use your oldest frozen bread first and keep your supply current.
If you have to freeze bread, then store it in a chest freezer. Chest freezers are usually manual defrost and their temperatures do not fluctuate a lot like is the case with the upright (freezer) models or refrigerator frozen food compartment.
To keep air from the bag, you can vacuum seal or double bag the bread.
