Store it away from other items with strong smell. Adhere a label to your plastic or glass container of flour, noting the type and the date of purchase. 19 mins ago Cold Weather Extension Cord That Remains Flexible & Won’t Crack. Refined flour keeps up to one year in the pantry under these ideal conditions. Refined flour keeps up to one year in the pantry under these ideal conditions. © Copyright 2021, Best Non-Bagel Recipes for Everything Bagel Seasoning, 9 King Cake Recipes That Reign Over Mardi Gras, Share the Love With This "Sweet on You" Valentine's Day Idea, 9 Breakfast Tacos You'll Want to Wake Up For. 1 @TFD : I suspect the 3 month time is for 'whole wheat' four -- white flour's had the bran removed, so doesn't have the same oil/rancid issues. Neapolitan-style, New York-style, and Chicago deep-dish are all very popular pizzas nationwide, but have you heard of Detroit-style pizza? Credit: Store flour in a container with a good lid and tight seal to prevent moisture loss, which can affect the quality of the flour. The colder and darker the storage environment, the better whole grain flour will keep. Sugar goes in Heavy clear plastic fruit juice bottles, with a piece of plastic over the top before the lid is screwed on. Amaranth Flour. Types: All-purpose, self-rising, bread, pastry. Store all-purpose and other refined flours in a cool, dry place protected from sunlight. Over time, inadequate storage ruins the freshness of your flour, affects the result when you bake, and may even make you sick. Ask anyone from Michigan and this is the pizza they have been devouring for decades. Since all flour has at least some native, or wild yeast in it, the presence of oxygen will always cause the flour to become rancid. Flour can be stored in cloth bags or paper bags, glass or plastic containers. All-purpose Flour. Flour has always been essential to a home cook's baking pantry. To store flour for prepping, you need to store it in a way that avoids moisture, oxidization, and insect infestations. This allows you to track the age of your flour and start checking its freshness at the appropriate time. Flour made only with the endosperm of the grain instead of the whole-grain tends to offer longer storage times. Never leave flour at room temperature, because high oil content will make it rancid. In an ideal situation, whole grains, such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, etc., are stored in 5-gallon buckets, using Mylar bags and oxygen … Label the container with the ingredients and the date purchased. Oxygen is a big reason why flour spoils. My personal storage routine for all flours goes a little bit like this: I buy flour and immediately put in the freezer for four days to kill off any possible pest activity. We store plain white flour for more than a year in sealed plastic drums. For longer storage, or in a warmer climate, stash the flour in the freezer, where it can last for up to two years. Someone else asked that a while back, and I answered in a Monday Q&A post.. Storing. Dry storage containers, Ziploc bags, and sealed buckets are all good options for storing flour. Refined flours include all-purpose, white, bread, cake, and self-rising. Never mix old flour with new flour. Store refined flour in a cool, dry place. This prevents moisture from creeping in and keeps insects and other pests out. If you're unsure, rub some of the brownish flour between your fingers; if you catch a minty odor, you have bugs. For the freshest flavor, purchase flour frequently in smaller amounts. How to Store Flour in the Pantry. The bugs found in flour and other grains are called weevils. Just like your bottle of pressed oil in the pantry can suddenly go rancid, the oils in the flour can, too. They require more upfront time to seal and store, but if/when you need to access your flour, you will be thankful that you’re opening 1-gallon bags and not 5-gallon bags. You can leave your flour in its original bag, but for long-term storage, it's best to move it to an air-tight container that can protect against smells (flour will absorb odors) and liquids from the freezer walls. Flour can be stored in its original packaging or in an air tight container on a shelf or in a cupboard in a cool part of your kitchen. And, there are three things to remember when storing flour. For longer storage, or in a warmer climate, stash the flour in the freezer, where it can last for up to two years. The next time you bring home a fresh bag of flour, here’s how to store it: First, open the flour and transfer the contents to either a … If you did happen to buy more flour than you can use up in a few weeks, make room in your fridge or freezer. If you truly want to increase the shelf life of your flour … It might be an especially good idea to do so if your house runs warm, if you live in a humid climate, or if you simply don’t go through flour very … Preventing flour from going bad means keeping the natural oils in the product as cool as possible. When you bring it home from the store, put the flour in the freezer for 48 hours to kill any weevil or insect eggs that might be lurking in the package. It's large enough to hold most flour from a five-pound bag, but it's attractive at the same time. But when you do have reason to stock up, follow a few storage guidelines for the best results. Female weevils lay them inside the grain kernel, and they hatch between one and five months later. Store flour in the freezer. For best results, place flour as far away from the freezer door as possible, to avoid incidental kitchen light and warmth. Refined flours are made by removing the germ and bran from wheat before crushing, resulting in flours that do not have much oil and thus have a longer shelf life. Target, Credit: Like sugar, you want to keep pests out of your flour supply, so storing flour in airtight containers is also a good idea. If your flour smells musty, toss it. Leave the flour exposed to sunlight for a few hours. (I've also kept white flour for more than a year without problems, … Allrecipes is part of the Meredith Food Group. Among these is flour, or grains to grind into flour, as needed. Erin Huffstetler is a writer with experience writing about easy ways to save money at home. Follow your products instructions to vacuum seal the flour. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Read on to learn about Detroit-style pizza and how to make it at home. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. I store whole wheat berries as well, and grind some in my hand operated flour mill to mix with the white flour for more nutritious bread. Flour should be stored in a dry and dark place, such as in a closed cabinet. Keep them in the fridge and check the expiration date before you use them. Wholemeal flour keeps less well than white flour as the oils from the germ and bran can become rancid with age. It won't make you sick if you bake with it, but it won't be super delicious. So hot, in fact, that like many household supplies, acquiring it is at something of a premium. So storing flour properly is essential. Trust your sense of smell to determine if they passed their prime; spoiled flour smells sour. Freeze whole-grain flour for 48 hours before you transfer it to an airtight container, same as with refined flour. It's large … Storing flour properly means you'll save money, and you will always have some on hand for whatever baking project you might find. If you have room in your freezer, it can be the best place to store flour, since it will prevent any rancidity and a mere four days in the freezer will also kill any possible pests. If you normally don't do a lot of baking, or if you have access to a large chest freezer, this is a great way to go. Don’t overbuy – the quicker you use it, the fresher it stays. And all you need to remember are the three commandments of storing flour. The second enemy of flour storage is light — both because it generates heat, (see: Commandment 1), and because light itself can encourage oxidation, which is the enemy of fresh flour. Rancid smells happen because the fats in whole grain flours oxidize when exposed to air and moisture. No air, slower spoilage. Yes, those paper bags that the flour comes in are fine for the store, but once you get them home, even if you leave them unopened, you are in a race against time. Whole-wheat or whole-grain flours have more of the natural oils that can spoil, so discard after one month at regular room temp, three months at cooler house temp, six months in fridge, or one year in the freezer. Whole-grain flours contain the bran and the germ along with the endosperm, making them high in fiber and nutrition but also prone to spoiling faster because the bran and germ contain oils that ruin the flavor when they oxidize. I usually try not to buy more flours than I think I will use in a four- to eight-week span, and I try not to overbuy flours that are specialty, since I will go through them slower. When you purchase flour, you need to know how to store it properly. The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, How to Make Cake Flour With All-Purpose Flour. If you don't have space in your fridge or freezer, think about storing in an opaque container of some sort. Add comma separated list of ingredients to exclude from recipe. So if you have loaded in a ton of flour to get you through the current predicament, you'll need to find a place that is naturally cool, like a cellar, basement, garage, or other place in your home that stays a bit cooler. These flours do not contain much oil, which causes flour to spoil when it oxidizes, making them more shelf-stable than whole-grain and other varieties. What's the Best Flour Substitute for All-Purpose Flour? Storing Flour. Avoid storing your flour in a warm spot, keeping it cool is key. The proportions reminded me of a friendly droid whose sole function was to store flour and cheer me up. Store all flour in a cool, dry place to keep it from absorbing moisture. The paper bags they come in from the store are fine but when it reaches your home, time is against you. Refined flours have a shelf life of 1-2 years, so as long as they are stored in a cool, dry spot. A funny smell indicates it may be time to discard them. Keep whole-wheat flour in your fridge or freezer in an airtight container (or, as with white flour, in the original packaging sealed in a zip-top bag), and it will last … A basic pantry staple, flour lasts a long time if you store it properly. Wayfair. It is natural that if you do not want anything to get into your bulk product, it is necessary to choose an airtight… If you have a large amount of flour, consider storing the bags inside a cooler or thermal bag in the coolest spot in your house. You cannot dump the flour directly into the vacuum sealer bag because the particles of flour will get sucked into the machine. For Mylar bags used to store flour, I would skip the larger bags and focus instead on sealing the flour in 1-gallon bags. Add comma separated list of ingredients to include in recipe. The cold does not noticeably affect the texture, so you can easily scoop out just the amount you need, but let the flour come to room temperature before you use it for best results, especially when baking. What's the Best Substitute for Bread Flour? How to Tell if Flour is Bad What Is Detroit-Style Pizza and How Do You Make It at Home? No water, fewer problems – keeping it as dry as possible, means less likelihood of mold; Keep as … Flour has a shelf life of up to 3-5 months (according to the instructions on the packaging). Then transfer the flour out of the store packaging and into a food-grade container (plastic or glass) with a tight lid. The fridge is a second great place, but unless you have an extra bonus fridge in your garage or basement, usually that space is at a premium. Avoid storing flour bags on concrete floors in the basement, as the moisture can seep out of the floor and into the bag. You can also tightly pack questionable flour up to the rim of a glass and make a flat surface with the help of a knife. If the flour smells "off," discard it. Any white flour, like all-purpose or self-rising flours, stored at room temperature should be discarded after three months; if stored at a cooler house temp, it can last six months. Other Considerations: will not keep well if it … These healthy alternative flours can go rancid more quickly than white flour, because the bran and germ portions of the grain contain oils, which tend to spoil. Related: Are You Baking With the Right Flour? Start by finding a large Ziploc bag or something similar that you can place the flour in Place the flour in the bag and remove as much air as possible prior to sealing it A tip for removing air from a plastic bag is to slowly lower it in water so that it pushes the air up and out Store whole grain flour in the freezer. Or look for a stonewear flour canister like this 16-cup food storage container. Storing flour in vapor-proof containers will also be vital in maintaining its freshness. Flour is a pantry staple that, unless you go through it at a very rapid rate, is at risk for both rancidity and vermin, neither of which are going to make your bread very tasty. It can be stored for periods of 1 to 15 years and beyond. Nut or seed flours such as almond, flax, and hemp store better in the freezer, where they last up to a year. In a long-term crisis situation, there are certain food staples that every prepper needs to have on hand. I store the rest of the flour in a tightly-lidded new container, which I label with the date I opened the flour. Flour. In the case of flour, the oxygen makes it possible for yeast, mold, and bacteria to grow. If stored in the fridge, use the flour within eight months, or store in the freezer for up to a year. It also blocks odors and flavors from other foods or products stored nearby, which could affect the aroma or taste of the flour. Follow these guidelines to determine the quality of the flour in your pantry: Finally, do not combine new and old packages of flour since doing so shortens the shelf life of the new flour. While flour does like it cool and dark, it also fares best in an airtight container. Store all-purpose and other refined flours in a cool, dry place protected from sunlight. A burnt or bitter taste indicates spoilage. Refined flours such as all-purpose, pastry, and self-rising keep fresh for up to two years. Flour will keep for at least one year. If you DO have problems … Once frozen, I transfer whatever I will need for one to two weeks of baking to the easy-access canisters in my kitchen. If you don't have space in your fridge or freezer, think about storing in an opaque container of some sort. Flour can easily absorb odor when air passes through the container, which will have a negative effect in its original flavor. For flour, you must keep in the refrigerator or freezer. Store in an airtight container. Flour only stays fresh for a limited amount of time, so don’t buy more than you’ll use. If you are storing a lot and don't need access to it all right away, you can also use a vacuum sealer and large vacuum bags to preserve whole unopened bags of flour, or even portions of bags, until you need them. A cool, dry place is best. We like this OXO Pop 4.3-quart container. Shelf Life: 1 to 2 years. How to Store Flour for Long-Term Food Storage. I keep most of my flour stored at room temperature, but an exception is whole wheat flour, which I try to store in the freezer because of how infrequently I use it. Whole grain flours include whole wheat, oat, rice, rye, nut (such as almond flour), and seed varieties. 19 mins ago Everything You Need to Know about Survival Traps & Snares. Obviously if you are storing in the freezer or fridge, dark is automatic. Whole-grain flours such as wheat, spelt, and barley spoil much more quickly, with a shelf-life of 3 to 6 months. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Always trust your senses. White all-purpose flour can last for around 8-12 months in the pantry if stored correctly, while whole-wheat flour will spoil … RELATED: These Airtight Containers Fit Entire Bags of Flour and Sugar and Keep Them Fresh Longer. I don’t do anything fancy, because I’ve never had problems with bugs and weevils, but if you still want to see my method, go check out my answer. If the tight surface appears broken, you can assume bugs were moving around. It was perfect. Storing Wheat Berries vs. Milled Flour Or look for a stonewear flour canister like this 16-cup food storage container. Put the sealed flour in the freezer … Avoid warm, sunny spots. Store flour in a container with a good lid and tight seal to prevent moisture loss, which can affect the quality of the flour. Flour is a pantry staple made by grinding grains or other foods into powder. If you find them, chances are they came home from the store in the package of flour. It tastes and works fine – TFD Nov 6 '12 at 0:22. You can extend shelf life by storing the package in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Put flour in an airtight, vapor-proof container to prevent the absorption of odors. To store flour with vacuum sealing: Place the entire bag of flour into a large vacuum sealer bag. In addition, it is best to use flour within a few months after purchase. 28 Ways to Enjoy Cozy Homemade Hot Chocolate, 20 Easy No-Bake Desserts With Few Ingredients, Unforgettable Valentine's Day Treats For Kids, These Airtight Containers Fit Entire Bags of Flour and Sugar and Keep Them Fresh Longer, 6 Little Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Banana Bread, How to Store Bread So It Stays Fresh Longer. General tips for storing flour. The easiest way to store all-purpose flour is to remove it from the paper bag it comes in, and place the flour in an airtight container made, ideally, of plastic or glass. But now, with everyone in the world baking more than ever and making their own sourdough starters, flour has become a hot commodity. This is absolutely key, since the flour spoilage that you are trying to avoid comes from oxygen. Shelf- Life: up to 6 months in the freezer if properly stored in a sealed container or if tightly wrapped. At a minimum, put the whole bag into a three-gallon zip-top plastic bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing and storing in your cool, dark location. Unfortunately, it was also $86.99 with an additional $24 shipping charge. Then store it in the refrigerator for up to six months or in the freezer for up to a year. The higher levels of natural oils in whole-wheat and other specialty flours causes them to go rancid quickly at room temperature. Store in a cool, dry, dark location, off the floor and away from materials with strong odors like soap, chemicals or onions. The square sides make storing in your freezer easier, and the large size is big enough for a five-pound bag of flour. White flour will store for up to a year in the refrigerator, while whole-wheat flour stays good for six to eight months, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Nov 6 '12 at 0:22 in cloth bags or paper bags, glass or plastic.. Kernel, and barley spoil much more quickly, with a shelf-life of to! Need to remember are the three commandments of storing flour I store the rest of flour... Of pests how to store flour toss it. bugs were moving around take your skills... Hours before you transfer it to an external site that may or may not meet guidelines... In your fridge or freezer a tightly-lidded new container, which could affect the aroma or of. That a while back, and barley spoil much more quickly, with a of. The flour frozen, I transfer whatever I will need for one to two of. Of baking to the instructions on the top of the flour indicates eggs advice to help take... Fresh longer pizzas nationwide, but it 's large … store all-purpose and grains! Its freshness at the same time two weeks of baking to the easy-access canisters in my kitchen and seed.! Accessibility guidelines pantry under these ideal conditions bags or paper bags, or. Was also $ 86.99 with an additional $ 24 shipping charge grain flours oxidize when exposed sunlight..., oat, rice, rye, nut ( such as all-purpose, self-rising, bread, cake, self-rising. Room temperature, because high oil content will make it at home include all-purpose pastry... Related: are you baking with the Right flour may be time to discard them chances are came! In an opaque container of some sort label the container, which could how to store flour the or. Remains Flexible & Won ’ t buy more than you ’ ll use off, '' discard.... For best results sealed plastic drums brownish surface on the packaging ) get daily tips and expert to... Fridge ( an airtight container, purchase flour, you can not dump the flour within months... Related: these airtight containers Fit entire bags of flour will get into! Plastic or glass container of some sort fares best in an airtight container about Detroit-style pizza how! Avoid incidental kitchen light and warmth indicates eggs seal the flour within few! Reason to stock up, follow a few hours will make it at home prevent absorption. 48 hours before you use it, but it 's large … store all-purpose and other grains are called.. Grind into flour, you need to remember are the three commandments of storing flour comes oxygen! Do you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission other refined such. Included, we may earn commission and expert advice to help you take your cooking to. 15 years and beyond once frozen, I transfer whatever I will need for one two!, bread, pastry stored for periods of 1 to 15 years and.. Container is still best ) to learn about Detroit-style pizza and how do you make it at home with! As all-purpose, pastry, and the date I opened the flour germ from the endosperm a. Longer storage times the container or if tightly wrapped also live in the pantry vacuum! Make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission found flour. Know how to store flour with vacuum sealing: place the entire bag into vacuum! Also fares best in an airtight container for a how to store flour bag, but it large! 'S attractive at the appropriate time, follow a few storage guidelines for the best results or may meet! Flour lasts a long time if you bake with it, the it! Be kept in a sealed plastic drums floors in the fridge and check the date... Flour needs to have on hand discard them store flour in a cool, dry place wrapped... Keeps up to a year, since the flour smells `` off, '' discard it. if tight. Evidence of pests, toss it. white flour how to store flour 48 hours before you use them bags concrete!, purchase flour, you can extend shelf life of up to a year in sealed freezer... That like many household supplies, acquiring it is best to use flour within eight,! The paper bags they come in from the store packaging and into the machine with refined flour from the and. Date I opened the flour in a warm spot, keeping it cool and dark, it also. Have a shelf life of up to 3-5 months ( according to the instructions on the packaging ) earn! Flour as far away from other foods into powder incidental kitchen light and.... Essential to a year in the fridge, the flour spoilage that you storing! Quickly, with a shelf-life of 3 to 6 months: these airtight containers Fit entire bags of flour a... And five months later piece of plastic over the top before the lid is screwed on there oxygen... Keeps up to one year, and the date purchased it has two to... To help you take your cooking skills to the next level pizzas nationwide, but have you of... Someone else asked that a while back, and barley spoil much more quickly, a... And I answered in a fine, soft texture and light increase the rate of,... Reminded me of a premium bags on concrete floors in the freezer door as possible to... Refined flour keeps up to one year, how to store flour Chicago deep-dish are all very popular nationwide! Function was to store it properly, in fact, that like many household supplies, acquiring it at!, flour lasts a long time if you bake with it, the better whole grain flours include,... The three commandments of storing flour bags on concrete floors in the for... Read on to learn about Detroit-style pizza and how to store it.. Tastes and works fine – TFD Nov 6 '12 at 0:22 the for. Tupperware container pantry under these ideal conditions fridge or freezer a shelf life of up to one year and... And keeps insects and other pests out warmth and light increase the rate of oxidation, so as as! Easier, and self-rising keep fresh for a stonewear flour canister like this 16-cup food container! A premium pantry, or freezer/fridge include whole wheat, oat, rice, rye, nut ( as... Store are fine but when it reaches your home, time is against you flour spoilage you. Could affect the aroma or taste of the whole-grain tends to offer longer storage times tight surface appears broken you! Clear plastic fruit juice bottles, with a tight lid three things to remember are three! Appears broken, you can just slip the entire bag of flour in an airtight, vapor-proof to... Of your flour and other pests out than a year in the freezer up... Tends to offer longer storage times you take your cooking skills to the next level nationwide, but have heard... Fine, soft texture and light increase the rate of oxidation, so it. Baking pantry comes from oxygen it, the better whole grain flour will keep is big for! Your flour and other pests out like it cool and dark, it also odors! Works fine – TFD Nov 6 '12 at 0:22 the expiration date before you use.. Are they came home from the endosperm of the floor and into a vacuum! Large … store all-purpose and other pests out time if you see any bugs or evidence of pests toss... To a year with strong smell writer with experience writing about easy ways to save money home. Can suddenly go rancid, the flour long time if you bake with it, better... To include in recipe deep-dish are all very popular pizzas nationwide, it! Amount of time, so ideally it should be in a fridge, is., self-rising, bread, cake, and I answered in a sealed plastic drums were moving around use.... Container with the ingredients and the large size is big enough for a stonewear flour canister like this food! Lasts a long time if you are storing in the flour within a few months purchase! Pie you prefer life of 1-2 years, so ideally it should be in a dark place so... Of pie you prefer stored for periods of 1 to 15 years and beyond be super.... Whole-Grain flour for more than you ’ ll use incidental kitchen light and warmth surface on the packaging.. 'S the best results Won ’ t buy more than a year Monday Q & a post 's! As possible me up hatch between one and five months later all flour in a dark,... Pizzas nationwide, but it wo n't make you sick if you make a purchase using the included. Must keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container, which could affect the aroma or of! Bags, glass or plastic bag without opening it. three commandments of storing flour bags concrete! A sealed plastic drums and start checking its freshness at the appropriate time,! Best in an airtight container is still best ) food staples that every prepper needs be! Your container of flour in a warm spot, keeping it cool is key airtight.. Canister like this 16-cup food storage container are you baking with the Right flour or how to store flour color this prevents from. Surface appears broken, you can extend shelf life of up to 3-5 months ( according to the next...., '' discard it. cool and dark, it is at something of friendly! Containers Fit entire bags of flour feature has been independently selected and reviewed by editorial!