Storing food, like salt, flour, sugar etc

Gryfon

Sorry can't find another thread that may have this info on!

I have some big bags of flour to store and I'm not sure what I should go out and look for. I've got a few big glass jars with plastic lids to go on some shelves where it's handy, but I can't fit everything from the big bags into that jar. Do you think some big plastic boxes with lids will be alright and stop the flour from getting damp? Also my salt keeps sticking together.

Thanks

orangemoose88

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40065867

I use these, I find they keep everything nice and dry. They've got a few different sizes too, so I've got my sugar and tea in the little ones, pasta in the biggest ones, and flour in the middle ones. What are the seals on the jars you're looking at like? Do they have screw tops or are there just 'flap' type things?

Your salt's probably sticking together because of moisture in the air. If you put it in an airtight container it should be ok.

parsonswife8

Gryfon wrote: »

Sorry can't find another thread that may have this info on!

I have some big bags of flour to store and I'm not sure what I should go out and look for. I've got a few big glass jars with plastic lids to go on some shelves where it's handy, but I can't fit everything from the big bags into that jar. Do you think some big plastic boxes with lids will be alright and stop the flour from getting damp? Also my salt keeps sticking together.

Thanks

_________________________________________________

My mum used to put a few grains of uncooked white rice into salt cellars and that seemed to keep the salt dry.

Pink.

Hi Gryphon,

These threads may help:

Storing flours

Keep salt dry!!!

Pink

Gryfon

Thank you! Got some screw on lids and some flap lock things.

sandraroffey

i always put rice in with salt, keeps it lovely and dry.

and there is a thread on here somewhere, from a lady who was buying 6 months worth of shopping and growing the rest. on her thread, someone said that she stored loads of flour by first putting the bags of flour into a plastic bag and putting them in the freezer for a few days. this kills the eggs that the flour bugs come from. then she stored them in an airtight container. i think you need something that is going to screw, or 'click' shut to keep out the air.

Olliebeak

I'm certain my nan used to put a dried pea in the salt cellar when I was little.

Triggles

I have my sugar and flour in large clear plastic containers with a hinged lid that snaps shut on top on my counter, with those large silver scoops (from lakeland) to scoop them out of the containers. I haven't had any problems with damp or bugs in them, although I do put the flour in the freezer for a few days when I first buy it. I also don't have the flour loose - I have the flour still in the original packaging - three bags fit easily in the container (two on the bottom and one laying on top of them) and the top one is the only open one.

maypole

Whenever I buy flour, I first put it in the fridge for a day or so. The cold prevents any little creatures hatching or developing. You can also freeze flour to get the same result. I assume you could do this with any dried food.

D&DD

I usually decant my bags into lock'n'locks or kilner jars.Only thing I ever had trouble with was one bag of caster sugar which went really clumpy.
I have no problems with salt getting damp in Kilner jars but I've not tried storing it in tupperware.
In the States they sometimes put a package of silica gel in to draw out the damp but I'm a bit (very)wary of chemicals in foodstuffs.
I'll check my stuff to see if theres a safer method
Edit
Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers are recommended for long term storage (but may be pricey)
When storing food in containers don't stand them against an outside wall or on a concrete floor as this can cause condensation inside

Nurgle_2

For my flour, I keep spare bags in a big plastic storage box under the bed, ready for when I need them.
When it comes to flour in use, I have 3 5l plastic containers with hinged lids on them to keep them dry and keep things out.
These are then stored on top of my cupboard out of the way
As for salt, I tend to have that same problem too if I leave it out in the kitchen...very silly of me!lol
I think that the rice in your salt pot is a great idea,although I'm not sure how this would work if you have a grinder