Breadmaker users - Where do you buy flour and where do you store it?

[HarriedWithChildren]

I'm thinking of getting a breadmaker but my kitchen is quite small so I'd like to keep it and the flour in the cellar which is a tiny bit damp.
The other thing is that i don't want to have to buy flour in our weekly shop as I really have enough to lug about as it is.

So, is it possible to buy large amounts cheaply online for example (as well as things like seeds which we would want in our bread) and do you think I would have to store it in glass jars or something?

I may be overcomplicating this - wouldn't be the first time...

I'd say no to the damp cellar - a recipe for mouldy flour.

You should keep flour, seeds etc in a vermin-proof container (think mice as well as weevils).

Some flour mills sell larger bags from their on-site shops and also will mail out - but its heavy so quite costly.

EG.

shipton mill

wessex mill

Arrg, wessex mill - didn't work first time!

No definitley not a damp cellar. I store a relativley small quantity in my kitchen cupboard but use it up quickly.

I use Doves Farm gluten free flour as I am coeliac and Hovis flour for the rest of the family.

Have you thought about supermarket shopping online - saves a lot of lugging. I bake a lot and do not have a car and get fresh delivery every 1 - 2 weeks from Sainsbury. I get nuts/seeds/ dried fruit from the supermarket online too. Very occassionally, I might get the odd bit of flour or nuts/seeds/fruit from Holland & Barret if I run out.

Ah yes I could just get the flour delivered from the supermarket. Thank you for thinking for me! My mum has some of those old glass sweetie jars so I'll borrow a few and keep things dry that way.
Now off to look at breadmaker reviews.

I have had this for a couple of years and we're really happy with it - use it practically every day - Panasonic SD255 Breadmaker with Raisin/Nut Dispenser

I order a load of flour when it's on offer on Ocado, but I have a utility room and can store it in there, without having to put it into jars. You don't need to buy large amounts of seeds - you don't put much in each loaf.

IKEA do brilliant glass jars though for about £1!

Yes I think Panasonic too.
Thanks all for wise counsel.

IKEA kilner jars in our house

We get mix from Lakeland, 2 boxes of 12 at a time, delivered.

there's always something else I can find on the Lakeland website that I feel I need popped into the same delivery!

Don't mention Lakeland or I'll order some xmas lights, a dryer, the violet and rose chocs DH wants (yeurk, at least won't tempt me) and countless other bits and bobs.
We've only just had a delivery.

I digress, sorry. Didn't know they did bread mix though. I think I'll get flour delivered from asda and keep it in glass jars. Assuming I can get measuring thing into jar.

Panasonic, most definitely.

I'm a hand maker. I purchase my flour from Shipton Mill which is expensive but its a very high quality flour.

Incidently, I was in Booker wholesaler yest and they sold the huge bags. If you know anyone who does wholesale then ask them otherwise you may have to get it on the net.

I bake bread by hand & keep my flour in the kitchen as this is the only place to store it. It's in an air tight container that is out of reach from my children

You could always see whether there is an independent mill near you that goes to farmers' markets or sells direct. We are near Claybrooke Mill in Leicestershire.

They will sell a 16kg or 25kg bag of flour and suggest it's stored cool and dry e.g. shed/outhouse in a well sealed, clean bin. If I can't get to the mill they will take it to a farmer's market and I pick it up from the stall. It's no cheaper than buying Doves Farm from Asda but at least it's organic and a local business.

Maybe that's a bit too much for you to store but it's a nice feeling that we can never run out of flour/bread. Also the independent millers tend to do fantastic flour mixes with all the seeds, grains etc.

List of traditional mills here

Yes panassonic for me too!
I just buy flour from tesco, though got an extra large bad from Asda the other day.