Best way to store freshly baked crusty bread?

[RememberToPlaywiththeKids]

If I put it in to the bread bin, the crust goes all chewy. How can I keep it crusty?

When u take it out of the oven, wrap it in a clean tea towel while it's still warm - leave until quite cool before putting in bread bin

Store it? Store it? Sorry but you cut thick slices and slather them in butter and eat while still hot

mmmperuna is right, the only correct way to store fresh crusty bread is in the depths of your stomach!

It will go chewy quickly as it absorbs moisture from the air. A bread bin helps minimise this by forming a barrier.

The worst thing you can do it put it in the fridge.

You can refresh it and make it crusty again by sprinkling with water and warming in the oven. You can do this more than once but each time you do the crust will get thicker.

You could make smaller loaves and freeze them. Warm them in the oven when they're defrosted and they'll be good as new.