To ask about your cheese

[ladybug92]

Please help me with storing my block cheese in the fridge. It either dries up or gets all moist and mouldy. I've tried bags, containers, ziplock. It's normal cheddar cheese

Please tell me what you do, I always end up having to trim so much cheese off the sides, its driving me crazy :(

I wrap mine in cling-film.

Ive never had this happen. I think you need to eat your cheese in larger quantities, and quicker!

I've always just used clingfilm or foil and never had a problem x

I use a sandwich bag. Drives me mad when DH just puts it back in uncovered!

Eat it faster? Or buy smaller blocks.
We keep ours in the packet it us sold in, and don't touch it if not necessary ' so hold the wrapper when grating / slicing etc.
We then seal the open end of the bag with a big bag clip (ours are from Ikea, I'm sure others exist)

Aw it really must just be me....how odd! I don't know if I can eat any quicker, I shall try the clip on the cheese packet and report back. Thank you for the advice everyone!

I would buy smaller packets of cheese but they are so much more expensive (per unit price) compared to the kilo block.

If you put it in a plastic box on top of some folded up tissue paper, it doesn't get sweaty and mouldy.

Buy less cheese? I’ve never had this problem, we buy cheese (Aldi cheddar) weekly though and we’re lucky if it hangs around longer than that.

I've never had this happen with cling film, foil, even greaseproof paper. How long are you typically keeping the cheese for?

If you want to buy a bigger block, you could grate some and freeze it in bags. Then get it out as and when.

Cheese doesn't last long enough in our house!

We buy the packers that are resealable, or just wrap it in cling film.

Have you thought that it's maybe a false economy buying a massive block of cheese, if you're just having to slice loads off because it's gone bad?

Buy big blocks and freeze them smaller or grated. Does go crumblier but will be fine for cooking. I dont gave that problem other than with mexicana cheese which is very moist.

As long as it's in an airtight container/wrapper and the fridge is cool enough cheddar should keep for weeks. Have you checked your fridge's temperature?

Lakeland do boxes called "cheese preservers" - for storing cheese in fridge. Put one on your christmas list

Otherwise a fondue party?!

Sounds like you need to turn your fridge down!

Well, if you're throwing that much cheese away, the bigger blocks are probably not that much cheaper, if at all. I buy the 400g-500g packs. I would see if the strength has anything to do with it? I only buy very strong, mature or vintage cheddar. It tends to be less moist than mild or medium and I can't remember the last time any went mouldy.

@justilou1 thanks! never heard of the tissue paper idea!!

I'm keeping the cheese for about 2 weeks, it's well within expiry date but is this too long maybe?

@BrutusMcDogface this is a very good point. I think I am on the brink so asking for final advice before reducing myself to buying smaller amounts of cheese, albeit more expensive.

I will try freeze some greated cheese and see how it goes, I need that for pizzas, lasagnas, cheese toasties.

Hmm checking fridge now.

Also @Rebeccaslicker genius idea with the fondue party :)

Fridge dial was showing only 40% from COLD to COLDEST so have adjusted to approx 60% now.

place into a zip lock bag and keep sealed and when you use it put on a food prep glove or only hold it with a bit of cling film around it, so no skin touches it at all, i find mine will last weeks this way but can have mold on it after only a week if the kids or husband have used it

Wipe your cheese down with vinegar once per week or so, it stops mould from developing.

You can also wrap your cheese in vinegar moistened kitchen roll before putting it back into the wrapper/tub.

NOT TISSUE PAPER"- sorry. Can only blame a brain fart. I meant PAPER TOWEL. (Am imagining very pretty, coloured cheese now!!!). Sorry!!! The paper towel absorbs the cheese "sweat"

Never have this problem, but you can grate and freeze cheese in ziplock bags. I'd cut it into quarters, grate and freeze 2 or 3 and do that if you want to save money. Then just use as normal grated (ie on top of hot pasta/pizza/toasties etc) or defrost for 3-4 hours in the front of your fridge.
You can also freeze it in blocks rather than grated but I've had varying results with this method depending on brands.
Even if within date I thought cheese was meant to be consumed within one week if opened? Could've made that up though... I don't really pay attention as if I've got it around for more than 7-10 days I freeze it

Buy the large size and cut into blocks wrap well in cling and foil and freeze. Get out as needed. It does tend to be slightly more crumbly but will cut down on waste.

Obtain a teenage boy. Cheese wastage does not become an issue. But then neither does milk, cereal, bread or any other foodstuff tbh