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OK to use Strong flour 4 months out of date ?

17 replies

dottiedodah · 16/03/2020 18:15

Right ,so not a lot (some ) bread in Sainsburys .Got what I needed ,just thought if we have to be locked down could do some baking .Found a bag of bread flour Nov 19 use by .Is it still safe do you think? Also will it still be good to use as in a good finish to the bread .Many thanks for any replies here!

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dementedpixie · 16/03/2020 18:16

It will be safe but may not be as high quality

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Thesuzle · 16/03/2020 18:17

No weevils ? Use it

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bloodywhitecat · 16/03/2020 18:18

It will be fine for a while yet, I'd happily use it.

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NetballHoop · 16/03/2020 18:18

Pour it through a sieve. If there are no weevils left in the sieve then bake away.

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EffervescentElephant · 16/03/2020 18:19

I think the flour itself will tell you if it's edible or not. If the pack was sealed I'd say is probably ok. Open the pack and observe it in good light.

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RippleEffects · 16/03/2020 18:24

I think, not a scientist though, that the something or rather that make the bread rise (is it the proteins?) are less effective the older flour gets so I'd give it a little extra sugar to feed the yeast and give a good rise or use for flat/ thin pizzas where a puffy texture is not desirable.

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mbhgfcbyyrrx · 16/03/2020 18:27

I did similar recently... didn't realise the flour was full of weevils until my pizza had cooked! 😫😫 has to bin it all! Check first! 😂

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dottiedodah · 17/03/2020 08:48

Hi everyone Thanks for your replies .Pack is sealed in a dry cupboard .I think I will pour through a sieve and see whether anything comes out! Thanks for the sugar tip will defo go with that.

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ppeatfruit · 24/03/2020 10:43

I keep my opened flour in airtight plastic bags, then in storage boxes, and in the fridge, it lasts much longer.

It should be fine after 4 months but check as the pps have said. I have often used flour that is older than that with no problems.

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HasaDigaEebowai · 24/03/2020 10:45

completely fine. I do it regularly.

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willowpatterns · 24/03/2020 10:46

Weevils are tiny. Sprinkle a little bit on a dark surface. If it starts to move about, then bin it!

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Oakmaiden · 24/03/2020 10:47

Weevils is the main problem with out of date flour.

They normally sit at the top of the flour (I have experience with out of date flour!)

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Babdoc · 24/03/2020 10:49

Yes, I make bread fairly infrequently, so I nearly always use flour that’s years over its date. If it’s been stored dry and sealed it’s fine. If it seems a little musty, you can disguise the flavour with some nice caraway, fennel or dill seed in the mix.

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IAmFleshIAmBone · 24/03/2020 11:04

The caraway and fennel masks the weevil too Grin

I think even if there are bugs in it you can just sift them out. These are desperate times!

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CarScam11 · 29/03/2020 17:45

I used some dated 2016

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Cakecrumbsinmybra · 29/03/2020 17:47

Yes I would use it. I've not seen any weevils in my baking products since about 2009

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Cakecrumbsinmybra · 29/03/2020 17:47

Which is odd as I do sometimes buy specialty flour with good intentions and then it sits there!

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