Flour -can it be preserved in any way?

Tightwadways

I've just bought 8x1.5kg plain flour from 99p store and am wondering how to store it..can it be put in the freezer to preserve it, or will i have to be baking non stop to use it up?

whatatwit

I'm sure I've read on here that it can be stored in the freezer....think it helps to kill off any weevils also.

Narharidas

http://www.shipton-mill.com/A-Quick-Word-on-Shelf-Life.html

maypole

I have frozen flour before. I usually put mine in the fridge or freezer to prevent any unwanted creepy things from hatching!

fizzel81

on the flour subject i have some bbe last month and one bag from may! i stocked up so much earlier in the year im still plodding through it, just 6 bags left
are they ok to use?

Olliebeak

I'd say that last month's would probably be OK if it's been stored cool and dry, but I'd be wary of the one from May. You could try having a look and then a sniff. If there's nothing walking and it doesn't smell 'rancid' you could try baking something (maybe half a dozen fairy cakes) as a trial and go by that result.

It was only last year that I started noticing the 'sell-by' dates on flour as I hadn't baked for many years. Wondered why one of the cakes I'd made had been flat as a pancake!!!

Good luck!

Biggles

I buy my flour in 5kg bags and store them in my pantry, ie cool and dry.

I've never heard of flour going 'off' and have never noticed a problem, even with the types I use less often.

MrsTinks

Either I use mine quick enough or my flour hasn't gone off either
Reminds me I ought to try the rye bread packets my mum brings over for me Just don't havea big enough pan so might mean a trip to Lakelands (oh the hardship!!!)

Biggles

I just checked the 'best by' date on my current 5kg bags, looks like it's 12 months from the date of milling. It just says, 'Keep cool and dry'.