Talk to me about bread boxes

[kdabbler]

Not sure which forum to post this in. (So mods, please feel free to move if there is a better place.)

I've been baking bread and muffins fairly regularly and think I've been doing it enough that I can switch from using plastic bags to getting an honest to goodness breadbox.

There are metal ones, wood ones, bamboo, plastic, ceramic, clay... So many to choose from!

What are the merits or downsides of each? I read on one bread site that metal promotes humidity thus shortening the life of your bread (it will get moldy faster).

[jennlyn]

I had a metal one with a wooden cutting board top- I think it was a Typhoon brand- they look retro. I wouldn't recommend it though. The enamel on the inside somehow got chipped in a couple of places and began to rust. The bread did get moldy if I didn't keep a close eye on it. Things have gone moldy in plastic quickly, especially muffins since they are moist to begin with. I live in a humid climate which doesn't help.

[Turquesa]

I had a wooden breadbox that I attempted (and failed) to paint artistically. I finally gave it away because it was taking up precious counter space.

Briefly, I was in the market for a short, wide, stainless steal one that would fit between the top of my refrigerator and the cabinets above it. Then it occurred to me to declutter said cabinet and use it as my "bread box!" I haven't gone back.

That's probably not the answer you're looking for (sorry!) but I thought I'd share that alternative.

[karne]

I don't have it bit the King Arthur Flour catalog sells a metal breadbox that I think looks cool. I would love to give it a try. I grew up with a metal breadbox, so I am nostalgic for one.

[hollyvangogh]

I grew up with a bread box...but we still kept bread wrapped. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think a bread box would keep your bread from drying out. You'd still have to wrap it (or eat it very, very quickly). The advantage, IMO, of having a box is visual. Things look nice and neat if all the breads can be stashed together in the bread box instead of random plastic bags all over the counter.

[SuzyLee]

This probably isn't helpful, but we have a plastic one, and we keep it in the fridge. We just use it to hold the bread in the fridge a la tupperware, not to be visually pretty on the counter. We always put bread in the friedge becaues it last longer.

[MrsMike]

I have a wooden breadbox that I got from target years ago. As a pp mentioned, I still keep my bread wrapped up in it's plastic. My box seals nicely, but things would still get stale very quickly if I left them uncovered and in the box.