Flour - how do you store it?

[QueenieInFrance]

Just that really.
We have a bread maker and I’m keen in having a few packet of flour in the house.
But the packaging is paper and I’m worried the flour is gong to get damp or be attacked by mice in the garage.
Any idea what I couod store the bags of flour in?

I’m no expert on this Queenie but I wouldn’t keep flour in the garage. You’d probably need a securely sealed metal container. I’ve recently discovered via google that flour can be kept in the freezer so I’m intending to do that. Is that an option for you?

Flour in the freezer? I had never heard of that before.
On paper yes we couod butbthen I was planning to use that space for frozen vegs and meat. I’m not sure I’ll have enough spare space to also put some flour in there.

Yes, of course, I can see it’s better to prioritise storing meat and veg if space is an issue. I’d never heard of storing in the freezer either but it’s all over the internet.

Plastic containers?

There are two particular types of barrel very popular with open canoeists. They are used in the food and pharmaceutical industries and are both air and watertight to comply with regulatory requirements. They are not cheap but they are pretty much bombproof.

Links below as examples of what I mean. Not used that particular supplier so not sure if there might be keener prices around:

www.key.co.uk/en/key/wide-neck-kegs
www.key.co.uk/en/key/open-top-kegs

I've got a couple of the red-topped ones in my garage. Have had them 10+ years and the contents have remained completely bone dry.

I'd use Kilner jars - the type they call preserve with a lid rather than the clip top. Wash in hot water and dry in a low oven first to make sure they are really clean and dry

I have some heavy duty ice cream tub - I think they are 5 l - the ice cream van gave them to me

I think I am going to sterilize and use them for oats/flour and maybe sugar

For longer term options, look at getting whole grains of wheat, plus a grain mill or milling attachment for a Kitchen Aid. Flour only keeps for a few months before going rancid, wheat grains will last years.

Deffo don't keep flour in the garage, too cool and damp... plus mice! I used to keep it in ziploc bags to prevent flour mites.

You don't keep flour in the freezer.

If you wish to keep flour long term, you can freeze it first for 48-72 hours as this kills off any weevils or larder beetles.

Flour is an infestation risk so keep it in some sort of separate container, metal, plastic, decanted into glass, whatever.

If you have a coeliac in the family, have two containers.

Not prepping, but all flour in this house goes in the freezer for 48 hrs after its been bought. Not had a mite infestation since then. We had a couple before that - apparently the eggs live in the bag glue, especially in, err, less lovely places (ie here!)
So, might be worth freezing, then decanting into the dry kilner jars as above. It pours normally straight from the freezer.

TooTrue we actually have a couple of them (from a life before dcs...) so I can use those. Just never thought about it but yes they are airtight and water tight!

Thank you all for the ideas.
Plenty to think about.

I don't know if I've done this correctly but I put flour in freezer for two days. Then vacum packed it with a moisture absorber before putting it on a plastic crate in the freezer. Fingers crossed it will be ok.

Hi Pesty I had never heard of keeping flour in the freezer until very recently either, but there are numerous sites advising it’s fine, and even preferable, to do so. I’ve linked to one below. It tells you you need to bring it up to room temperature before use. I was sceptical but will be giving it a go soon and see if works.

www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5762-freezing-flour

Stuck mine in the freezer for a couple of days. And then transferred it to a tin.

In a plastic container in my kitchen!! One for plain one of self raising!!

perhaps what sort of moisture absorber are you using?

I also just stick in the freezer for a few days, and then stick it back on the the shelf. But I'm not storing huge amounts at the moment.

@Queenie I use food grade ones from Amazon.

5 Gram [60 PACKS] Silica Gel Sachets Pouches Desiccant with Orange Beads Humidity Indicator Moisture Absorber for Air Dryer Moisture Removal, Food Grade Dehumidifier www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078WQ92V3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Mr4rCbJ5WA7N9

As I said. I'm not sure how successful it will be.

Oh and my plastic crate isn't I freezer - I meant garage! 🤣

You can use flour from frozen. I've never noticed an effect on the final product, but I do end up using frozen flour occasionally. That said, this house is so hot, it probably warms up much faster than in a British kitchen!

Does anyone know if you can freeze bread mixes, eg like the Wright's ones? I have a couple in and they have multiple ingredients. The packet only says freezable once cooked.

I don't see why not, Generic. Yeast can be frozen, so it shouldn't affect how it works.

Thanks, I found weevils in my tightly sealed in a plastic tub self-raising flour and it's really put me off!

Generic freeze for a couple of days, then seal is the advice out here, where weevils are prevalent- they come in the glue in the bags

I keep all my flour and bread mixes in the freezer. Use from frozen and never had enough. If I say so myself, I do give good cake!