The Best Bread Boxes (Review) in 2020

Things to Consider When Buying a Bread Keeper

Before you go out and buy a bread keeper, check out our list of the things you should consider.

• The best bread boxes will not take up too much room on your kitchen counters. Most of them are designed to store a maximum of two loaves of bread. If space is at a premium in your kitchen, you may want to store a smaller version that just holds one loaf of bread.
• A bread holder can be made from stainless steel, powder-coated metal, wood or even ceramic. Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, weight, durability and appearance. In the end, it comes down to personal preference.
• The shape of your bread bin is important. It must be able to fit into the space that you have in your kitchen. Remember that there will be a door that you need to open or a lid that you need to take off. Many have a flat top surface so that you can use it for storage to make the most of the space that you have.
• Bread bins need to have some ventilation but not too much. If a lot of air is allowed to reach the bread, there will be a lot of evaporation from the surface and it will quickly dry out. If there is not enough ventilation, the humidity will rise and this will make the bread soggy and encourage mold growth. Some bread bins have built-in holes or vent panels.
• Door/lid. Think about what type of door or lid would suit you most. Would you like a hinged or roll-up door or a lift-off lid? Do you need to be able to operate it one-handed?
• How easy is it to keep the bread bin looking clean and tidy? Can you wipe it down? These are important considerations.

Benefits of Using Bread Bins

Bread bins were very popular several decades ago but then went out of fashion. They are now making a comeback, largely due to the popularity of artisan breads and the trends in home bread baking. There are several benefits of investing in a bread bin for your kitchen but it is important  that you are also clear about what they cannot do.

Sadly, there is no perfect way to store fresh bread unless you freeze it. Bread is a short lifespan product. It is designed to be eaten within a few days of purchase and there is no such thing as a bread box that can extend this period to several weeks! There is nothing that can stop bread from eventually drying up or getting moldy.

Having said that, there are several benefits of getting a bread box.

• Maintains the best balance of ventilation: If your bread is in a humid environment, it will go moldy. If it is in a dry environment it will go hard. A bread bin will maintain the optimum balance of humidity so that the taste and texture of your bread are preserved for longer. However, there is a limit.
• Is better than leaving bread out: If you simply leave bread out on the counter, it will become crispy very quickly, will get contaminated by dust (and possibly germs) and could attract rodents such as mice.
• Is better than putting bread in the fridge: Bread that has been in the fridge is very dry and does not have a great taste.
• Is better than storing in a plastic bag: Bread that is stored in a plastic bag will get very soggy and soft. Because its moisture content will get very high, it will also support fungal growth so you will get mold spots.
• Is better than putting it in a paper bag: A paper bag offers little protection for bread and it will soon dry out.
• They store other things: Don’t just put bread in your bread box! Use it for bagels, rolls, croissants and any other baked goods.
• They keep the kitchen looking neat: Half used loaves of bread and packets of bagels look very scruffy on the countertop. Keep your kitchen looking neat by packing them away in a stylish bread box.
• They provide a cutting surface: Many bread boxes have a built-in bread board which may be inside the box or may be part of the lid. This is very useful for protecting your kitchen counters when you are slicing bread.
• They contain crumbs: Bread and other baked goods can really mess up your kitchen with stray crumbs. A bread box helps you to keep this mess contained.
• They look good: Part of the reason for the recent rise in popularity of bread boxes is that they look so good! There are endless styles and colors to choose from so you can get one to suit any kitchen.

Types Of Bread Boxes

There are many different types of bread keeper to chose from. They come in many different shapes and sizes. However, the main decision that you will have to make is the material that the bread box is made from. This is a matter of personal preference as there are advantages and disadvantages to each one. Here are your main choices

• Stainless steel bread keeper: These have a shiny or matte exterior but have a silver/gray metallic look. A metal bread box is solid and durable and will resist rust. However, they can show up fingerprints and greasy smudges. The modern designs are made of a special material that will not show up marks so this is not as big a problem as it once was. The problem with lightweight stainless steel is that it can dent easily.
• Enamel or powder coated bread keeper: These are also made of metal but they have a glossy coating that can be any color and have a retro style. You will be able to get one to suit your color scheme and it can have letters printed on it. The word ‘BREAD’ is a popular option. The coating makes the retro bread box more durable and prolongs its life because the base metal is protected.
• Wooden bread keeper: A wooden bread box is the obvious choice if you are aiming for a country or rustic look in your kitchen. It is a natural material that provides ventilation. However, some woods (such as bamboo) not stand up well to extreme changes in temperature or to very high humidity. This means that they would not suit some kitchens.
• Plastic bread keeper: These are often transparent so that you can see how much bread you have left without opening the bread bin. Often, they are made of melamine but this can be combined with other plastics. This type of bread bin is lightweight and can be adjusted in size to accommodate your loaf which is a space-saving design feature.
• Ceramic bread keeper: These are easy to clean and attractive but are heavy so they may not suit you if you want to move your bread holder around. They are available in all sorts of colors so if you have your heart set on a red bread bin or a black bread bin then this could be the best choice for you. Some have loose fitting lids and others have rubber seals which keep out more air and keeps bread fresher for longer.
• Wicker bread keeper: These provide very little protection and let a lot of air get at the bread. Therefore, you need to keep the bread in a plastic bag! These are really just somewhere to keep the bread out of sight and they do not preserve freshness.

Bread bins also come in many different shapes. They can be shaped like a box or may look like a crock with a lid. To open them, you may have to use a hinged door at the front, a roll up door at the front or lift off a lid at the top.

Best Bread Box FAQ:

Q: What is a bread box?

A: As the name suggests, a bread box is a container that sits on the kitchen countertop and is used for storing breads and baked products. They are also referred to as bread bins. Most are large enough to accommodate one or two loaves of bread. They can be made out of plastic, metal or wood and may have a door at the front or a lift-off lid.

Bread boxes come in all sorts of styles and colors to suit all types of kitchen. Some have a classic roll lid style, some are ultra-modern and sleek and some have retro chic.

Q: Do bread bins keep bread fresher?

A: It is impossible to keep any sort of bread fresh for more than a few days wherever you store it. The only way to do this would be to freeze it. The best way to store bread for just a couple of days is at room temperature because if you put it in the fridge it tends to get hard. Bread bins do help to preserve the taste and texture of bread at room temperature.

They also help to keep out mold spores and other types of dirt from around the kitchen. Many bread boxes have small vent holes to allow a little airflow and prevent condensation and mold growth.

A top tip is to avoid overcrowding your bread storage box. An overcrowded bread box will be very humid and this will encourage mold to grow.

Q: Should a bread box be airtight?

A: The best bread bins are not airtight. You may think that it is a good idea to store bread in an airtight container because it keeps it fresh but that is not the case. It is better if there are small vent holes that allow a limited amount of airflow.

If there is no airflow around the bread, moisture and condensation will build up. This will soon lead to mold growth which will completely ruin the bread. This is why many bread boxes have loose lids or vents and are not completely sealed.

Our Top Pick

Our top pick of the best bread box is sleek and practical. This bread keeper has a compact design and will take up little room on your kitchen counter yet it is large enough to accommodate two loaves.

This stainless steel bread box has a roll lid and a flat top design to save space and provide additional storage. It features a plastic stop to cut down on noise and a textured base to maximize ventilation and keep baked items fresher for longer. The matte steel will not show up fingerprints as well as being durable and resistant to corrosion.

Source:

1. Does a Breadbox Really Keep Bread Fresher? -  MSN