In short, store your bread at room temperature in a cool, dark, dry place such as a pantry, breadbox, or cabinet if you plan to eat it quickly, and freeze it if you want it to last longer.
*Never keep your bread in the fridge. The starch molecules in bread recrystallize very quickly at cool temperatures, and cause the bread to stale much faster when refrigerated. *Shop-bought loaves should be kept in an air-tight plastic bag at room temperature rather than in the fridge.
Store it in paper, not plastic
If you're storing bread on the counter, the easiest way to keep bread fresh is to leave it in the paper wrapping it came in. Then if needed, cover with another paper bag to wrap the cut or exposed end. Whatever you do, resist the urge to coffin it in plastic.
But now that the fresh stuff, the bread with a great crust and moist interior, is back, the reasons for the breadbox are clear: store one of those beautiful loaves in a plastic bag and it will turn into a tough hunk of foam overnight. A breadbox should keep it fresh for up to three days.
But, unlike the bag, a box also is breathable, allowing some of that moisture to escape instead of softening the bread's exterior. In short, the box creates the perfect humid environment to keep your bread at its peak for three or four days.
"Bread boxes are a great way to keep bread, and a fun way to add style to your kitchen. They have small holes in them, which allow just a little air to circulate, keeping bread from molding. If you have pest concerns and prefer to keep bread in an airtight container, try tossing in a slice of bread with your loaf.
A breadbox (chiefly American) or a bread bin (chiefly British) is a container for storing bread and other baked goods to keep them fresh. They were a more common household kitchen item until bread started being made commercially with food preservatives and wrapped in plastic.
Whether you're baking bread from scratch or picking up a loaf from your favorite bakery, a quality bread box is an excellent way to keep your bread crust crunchy while leaving the inside soft and chewy. Alternative storing methods simply don't hold up.
The reason a refrigerator is bad for bread: When bread is stored in a cold (but above freezing) environment, this recrystallization, and therefore staling, happens much faster than at warmer temperatures. Freezing, however, dramatically slows the process down.
The inside of a bread box has just the right amount of air circulation to keep mold from being able to form and just enough humidity to keep bread soft and fresh. It's best not to put more than one loaf into the bread box. The more bread there is, the more humidity will start to build up in the box.
"But if you take a long time to consume your bread, [if your kitchen] is warm and humid, and especially if the bread is homemade, it is worth refrigerating to prevent mold growth," she adds. Homemade bread does not contain the preservatives that help keep it from spoiling that most store-bought breads have.
In general, most loaves will last up to a week at room temperature, and three to five days longer in the fridge—though keep in mind that refrigeration can make bread go stale. Bread that goes stale is still useful for breadcrumbs, croutons, and bread pudding.
You should keep your bread far away from the stove, the top of the fridge, or any area that's near sources of heat. Instead, your best bet it to keep it in a dark, cool section of your kitchen counter or your pantry.
In short, store your bread at room temperature in a cool, dark, dry place such as a pantry, breadbox, or cabinet if you plan to eat it quickly, and freeze it if you want it to last longer. Bread stored at room temperature should be in its original packaging or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
Bread should be stored in an air-tight container, but still have some room to breath. Any kind of tin or bread box will work, as long as the lid fits tightly enough to keep air out.
Ventilation. This is one of the most important features to look out for when choosing the best storage container for bread. A well-ventilated bread bin should have tiny holes to promote enough air circulation. This helps to keep the food fresh, prevent molding and make it last longer.
When you put your dough in the fridge it slows the yeast activity down. It takes ten times longer for dough to rise in the fridge than it does at room temperature. This means you can put your dough in the fridge overnight or whilst you are at work and come back to it when you are ready.
The best way to store bread is at room temperature in a dark, dry, cool location such as a pantry, drawer, or bread box. We also recommend keeping our bread sealed in its original packaging, as this will help retain its moisture.
Best practice is to store eggs in the fridge; that way the temperature is always at a constant and your eggs will be fresher!
Although plastic bags and airtight containers may seem like a good way to keep your bread from going stale, the lack of airflow will foster an environment for mold growth, because the moisture is contained and mold loves moisture. If you want to put your bread in a container, a bread box is the way to go.
Stainless steel bread boxes are the most durable and often have a modern look. Wood offers a more traditional or rustic design. Some types, such as bamboo (a sustainable material) are eco-friendly.
Bread box made of plastic
The disadvantage: plastic is not breathable and the moisture content inside the bread box is too high. Even if ventilation holes are provided, your bread will not stay fresh for long. In addition, the bread often becomes sticky due to the high humidity.
It allows the optimal conditions for keeping your loaf fresh: a dark and dry environment, with little air penetration that keeps just the right amount of humidity inside it and prevents your bread from growing mold. Bread should be stored in a breadbox naked. Meaning not in any sort of plastic or paper bags.
To anyone who bakes their own sourdough, congrats — and make sure you get yourself a bread bin because you absolutely need one for your loaves. The dark and dry interior of the bin will protect your baked efforts from a quick death allowing you to savor them for a little longer. All baked goods are fair game.
Is It Okay To Eat Moldy Bread If You Toast It? No. While toasting moldy bread [1] may kill some mold spores, it is unreliable for making it safe to eat. The heat from the toaster or oven may kill some of the mold spores on the surface of the bread, but it may not kill all of them.