I've been freezing it, *then* vacuum sealing it and put it back in the freezer.

I use clear plastic bags from a food supply company. They are 8x3x20 with deep pleats. 1000 per box. Cheap! I only use foil if I'm freezing the bread which I don't often do.

Nancy

If I'm freezing it I cut into smaller pieces, wrap in plastic then freeze in a plastic bag or Food Saver vacuum bag after it is frozen. Often I will freeze 4 or so slices together - always double wrapping or double bagging. Self-defrosting freezers can really dry out breads especially if they are not double wrapped.

Plastic bread bags can be bought online at kitchen supply stores or at King Arthur Flour. I re-use clean ones all the time, but I don't re-use grocery store bread bags as they are pretty flimsy. I usually put the bread in a bread bag then put it in a thicker large zip bag.

I do keep wrapped bread in the fridge, but hardly ever keep it on the counter. My homemade bread has no preservatives and I worry about mold in our warm climate.

I do as some others . Wrap in plastic, Double or triple bag it.

If a firm Bread; like an Italian Bread, gets a little hard, I slice it,
Lay it on a cookie tin and put it in a warm oven, to dry out.
Then, I either cube it or put it in a bag to beat it for
bread crumbs.
Lou

on my hips

For the freezer I wrap closely in foil and then a plastic freezer bag...for short term I leave on the counter or in a cupboard.
Linda C

I use food grade plastic bags and if freezing, I completely cool the bread, then wrap it in paper towels and then pop it into a plastic bag. When thawed it tastes almost like fresh baked bread.

You mean yours last long enough to be stored or frozen? LOL I'm with jessyf.

For freezing I use heavy duty freezer bags. For regular use I use the bread bags from King Arther Flour, and I store the bagged bread in my bread box. It seems to last longer stored in the bread box than on the counter.

I use Glad Press-n-Seal for freezer storage. Unless a bread has perishable fillings, I never refrigerate bread. I also don't use foil in an application where it comes into direct contact with food. For everyday bread, I use KA's bags or just place the loaf under a glass bakery dome that I bought years ago at a restaurant supply.

/tricia

I use these bags. They are the only ones I can find that are long enough to get a whole loaf in. I've also heard that fresh bread needs to breath, so I poke holes in the bag with a toothpick. If I'm going to freeze the bread, I wrap it in plastic wrap before placing it in the larger bag.

Here is a link that might be useful: x-large zipper bags

So........except for Jessy and mrsmary........(very funny...I have plenty stored there too.......whydyathinkiwannaputsomeinthefreezer?).

Plastics seem to be the consensus. Darn.
I hate plastics (that aren't re-usable for a long time).
I wonder about a large Tupperware container (plastic shoebox, etc.) for "on the counter" storage??

sigh..........I'll probably check with my local restaurant supply place before ordering on line. Since I drive within a block everyday, I sure don't want to pay shipping if I don't have to.

Thanks for all the ideas. There's many here I can try!
Deanna

Plastic bags that have only been used for bread are reusable in my house....
Linda C

Me too Linda! Until "somebody" (i.e. DH, DD#2) is too lazy to get the cutting board (3 inches from the bread) and cuts through the bag!! (grin). Good for awhile though, I agree.

Me, three! I re-use plastic bread only bags for as long as I can. Have the plate and have the dome - do not have the countertop space for that kind of bread storage. But I'm going to work on that and at least try it.

I never buy bread that comes in plastic bags - when I do buy bread, it comes in paper type bags that are always open at one end. I mostly buy La Brea Bakery bread, but Gelson's has their own bread that they make that is excellent as well. There's a bakery in the mini-mall with my bank, and I buy bread there occasionally as well. They don't have the best selection, and they don't have pumpernickel, which is why I have to make that bread myself. In fact, I need to make more, but I'm going to wait until Monday because DB's birthday is this week-end. Now that I have a good oven, I will be buying less bread.

I reuse the plastic bags that I put onions and garlic in, and I store bread in those.

Lars

Jessy....LOL diana55

I currently use zip lock freezer bags for freezing up to 4 weeks but switch to a silver poly style bag for the refrigerator. Unfortunately I don't know where to obtain these silvered bags (I would appreciate information on where to obtain these bag)however I think the object is to reduce moisture loss and this process seems to markedly slow that process down.