I would say your yeast should be good, and I use that kind of yeast and other kinds in my bread machine. Right now I am using bulk yeast that is probably a year past it's expired date.

Sue

I would test the yeast by adding it to a small amount of warm water(1/2 cup)....if it fizzes(foam & bubbles within 10 minutes)....then go ahead and pour it into the machine.

I use only rapid rise yeast for preprogrammed bread machine settings, unless the recipe says otherwise. I would make dough in the bread machine then let it go through the second rise outside the machine.

Ooops...add a pinch of sugar with your pinch of yeast when testing....

I use the regular, granular yeast for my bread-maker.
I think you can use pretty much any kind. I buy mine at the bulk store and have always had good success with it. MUCH cheaper than buying bread-machine yeast in the little jar.

As the others have said, warm water and sugar will determine if your yeast is still good. I would have no doubt that it is.

If you keep it in the freezer it stays fresher longer.

Yep, test it and see. You'll know if its still good or not.

Just throw it away, it's not worth losing a whole batch of bread. I've done that before trying to save a few cents.
I've used both kinds of yeast in my bread machine.

As far as types of yeast--they're all exactly the same product. Some are just milled finer to dissolve faster, but all WILL work in the same recipes.

However, expired yeast? I agree with Joann. It's not risking an entire recipe's worth of ingredients, as well as you're time and the power to run the bread machine. Even yeast within the 'safe' period can be no good if it's been improperly stored. The exception would be if you've had it stored in the freezer--then, yes, it should be fine. And for future reference, be sure to always store yeast in the freezer--it's good practically indefinitely then.

Yeast has an expiration date because it is a 'live' product, the same as any plant seed. When yeast becomes too old, it dies and is incapable of "germinating".

I would do what Nicole said above. I buy vacuum sealed yeast and I have kept it in the refrigerator for more than a year, with no problem.

I bought a good sized block of yeast over a year ago at the bulk food store, and have kept it in the cupboard.

In recent months, it makes the mix rise in the bread machine ... but les than it used to, so the bread is a bit heavy.

Main problem is ... when I try to cut the slice thinner ... often the knife runs out and the slice becomes a sliver.

Should I add a touch of Viagra, do you think?

ole joyfilled

Well I didn't know about keeping yeast in the freezer! Thanks for that and I will do that from now on.
Whether to try this yeast or not...I appreciate all the opinions and may or may not give it a go tomorrow.
Thanks again -
Suzan J

I buy yeast in bulk and toss it in the freezer. I buy two 1 pound packages for about the same price as 1 jar at the supermarket. I have had them in the freezer for way more than a year.....

To answer your question.....just test the yeast as mentioned and if it's good, use it...if not..start with fresh yeast. I wouldn't toss it out, I'd just test it to be sure first.

I buy the double package too like Ruthie G and I just keep mine in the refrigerator, in a canister that the light can't get to very well. I looked at my last package I am using and it expired October of last year. Still going strong. I have a big batch (9 cups flour) of refrigerator rolls in the refrigerator that I made this week. I will probably use some of it tomorrow. I am not sure how you can test a small package and use it in your bread machine, if you put your liquids in first and the yeast on top. I have never put the water and yeast together in a bread machine and made bread that way. Has anyone else ever done that?

Sue