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Farm Kitchen:  Flour, and what to keep it in  |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 10:57:04 AM
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Girls, I've filled up my pantry in this house- and I'm trying to figure out how to better store my foods. My flours are getting to be a pain, because I can't find the right container to keep them in. We don't have bugs (yet, anyway- roaches and the South go hand-in-hand), but I'd still like to keep the different kinds of flours in a container of sorts. Right now, I keep open bags in ziplock bags, but that doesn't work too well for keeping the pantry neat and organized.
Any ideas? Will those rubbermaid containers work- as long as the top stays on there good?
Thanks-
Kim in NC |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 11:03:51 AM
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I like to use old tins..sometimes I line them with big ziploc bags just to be sure..but love how they look. I use alot of tupperware too..but in any open shelves I like tins or jars. I use gallon and 1/2 gallon glass jars alot too.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 11:07:48 AM
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Wehave a big bug problem in Arkansas soI store my flour in the freezer.
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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Lavender Cottage
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Ellen
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 11:26:43 AM
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Kim, I store my flour in a big glass jar with a red metal lid. It holds a 5 lb bag nicely and the top is wide enough to use my scoop. It looks like an old fashion jar, but it is newer. My sis-in-law loved it and I found them again last year for her at Wal-mart. I leave it out on my jelly jar cupboard and also have my sugar in 1. I've also seen some big glass ball canning type jars with plastic screw lids-my niece in NC had her flour and sugar in these and said she found them at the Dollar General.
We have big mice problems so I keep everything in glass or rubbermaid, tupperware type containers. I also reuse the plastic containers from my peanut butter for things and the bulk plastic containers that have nuts, sunflower seeds, those little favor mints, and chocolates. These came from Gordon's Food Service-a bulk store-you may find some like them at other places or if someone is having a party-I got 2 really tall ones by asking a coworker for them after a party at work.
Ellen in MI |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 11:35:50 AM
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I buy organic flours in bulk and like Julie, store it in the freezer. I think/hope that it keeps the oils fresher while I use it up. I keep gallon pickle jars on the pantry shelf about half full of regularly used flours (can't bake bread with cold flour!), but I use it up quickly so it's always fresh.
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 11:49:08 AM
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I have my flour stored in #10 cans with an oxegyn pack in each can. When I need more flour out, I fill a 1-gallon glass jar and keep it on the countertop. I have never had any problems with bugs, as the lack of oxegyn seems to make living a bit difficult! :)
Karin |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 12:15:04 PM
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When I buy a new bag of flour I will freeze it for at least 7 days. I leave it longer if I need something to fill space in the freezer. then I put it in a rubbermaid/tupperware container. I read that you can use a stick of mint gum to keep bugs away as they don't like mint.
Sarah |
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~Tracey~
True Blue Farmgirl
351 Posts
Tracey
TN
USA
351 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 12:22:12 PM
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NAK, OHT
I keep my wheat berries in the fridge. I buy 25lbs. every couple of months from our food co-op.
Tracey,
mama to Callum 13, Katie 8, Wil 5.5, Benjamin 3 and Andrew 6 months!!
http://hansenhootenanny.blogspot.com/ |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 1:44:29 PM
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I store mine in glass jars with tin lids -- the lids have little sealer rubber bits on them -- and this keeps the bugs (we have moths up here pretty bad) out fairly well. The only time I find bugs in my flour is when they've come home from the store with me.
Interestingly, I found glass jars cheaper than plastic, because I found them on a sale. Plus they are so much prettier.
Best,
Robin |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 4:01:38 PM
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Oh gosh, I have probably ten or eleven different kinds of flour in the house! Mostly it goes in tins. Probably 25 years ago I got some cans of Charles Chips and used the tins for flour. (You're supposed to buy more refills and keep the chips crisp in the tins, but I wanted them even then for flour!) Then when I started buying artisan flours, I wanted another big tin. I was pleased and surprised to find Charles Chips in the tins again at Cracker Barrel! The tins aren't the same exact size, but they're close enough.
I keep some of the 'smaller' flours such as brown rice flour and potato flour in glass jars, and rye and barley flours in glass or the original bag stuffed into a plastic one. I don't use any tupperware as the plastic can pick up odors like rancid fats, and I never keep them in the freezer as it messes with the moisture content. I just buy what I need as I need it, and do the sniff test every time I go to use it.
Maybe it's because I live in northern Illinois, but I haven't had buggy flour since probably the seventies. I don't know why. Makes me think of an old coffee advertisement for Old Judge Coffee. It says it's irradiated, and "that settles the question."  |
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farmkitty
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Angela
Anderson
South Carolina
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 4:45:32 PM
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| I too agree with Julie. I buy whole wheat and usually try to get organic , it seems to last longer if stored in the freezer. Most of the time I transfer it to a ziplock/freezer bag or sometimes use my food saver to seal it. I also have one of those cheapie Eurosealers that is magnetized, stored on the refrige door and will quickly make a heat seal on the top of opened plastic bags. Being from South Carolina I deal with kitchen critters alot !! |
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Norskema
True Blue Farmgirl
98 Posts
Candace
Central Indiana Area
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 6:55:38 PM
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If you don't have access to lard tins you can buy them at Lehman's online. They also have a great catalog with down-to-earth solutions to keeping your home in shape. They have a lot of goods that cater to the Amish (Lehmans.com).
http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=3991&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=lard
I have also been using those big colorful tins that have the popcorn in them that we've ben given on occassion at Christmas. They are wonderful for keeping flour fresh and bugs out.
Every way of a man seems right to himself but the Lord is the tester of hearts. Proverbs 21:2 |
Edited by - Norskema on Oct 25 2006 6:56:53 PM |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2006 : 08:59:44 AM
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Great ideas here!
I have three of those big colorful popcorn tins that Candace is talking about. I used them to store toys and offseason blankets, etc.
Does anyone need one or three? The three designs are Saturday Evening Post, Green polkadot with brown teddy bears and last one has black lab puppies on a red & black background. They would be light, but awkward, to mail. I'll give it a shot though.
Jo
P.S. I store my flour inside Ziploks, or canning jars.
"There are no strangers here, only friends you've yet to meet." |
Edited by - Hideaway Farmgirl on Oct 26 2006 09:00:31 AM |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2006 : 08:44:05 AM
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I store my flours and dry goods in gallon-sized apothecary jars with rubber seals around the lids to keep it air-tight and prevent bugs from getting in. They also look quite nice lined up on the pantry shelves. I have smaller sizes for things like cornmeal and powdered sugar.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2006 : 10:32:07 PM
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I keep my flour in Rubbermaid containers. The really UNprocessed stuff I keep in the same, but in the freezer. I have fibromyalgia so the plastic is lightweight for me and I can see readily how much I have.
Even though I live in Wisconsin, grain bugs and the like are a constant problem.
Food safe 5 gallon pails might be available for a nominal cost at food co-ops. I've seen them at a local Mennonite grocery for like $2.00. I don't keep that much on hand as it is just my husband and myself, but it would be an option if you bake a lot.
Jana |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2006 : 06:57:00 AM
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Kim! I'm right there w/ you girl!
As you well know, we in the South also deal w/ the sweet ants too!
Can't tell you how many times my cooking/storage pantry was cleared out 'till I finally got smarter than the bugs (for now).
I also keep corn meal and smaller bags in the frige/freezer in zip lock.
Had to throw out a whole bag of flour this summer. It also helps to remember to snap the lid down tightly (duuuh). Totally my fault.
I have used the rubbermaid containers too for sugar but keep my most precious flours in Tupperware canisters. The lids just fit air tighter.
And for pet food I discovered the vittles vaults. The lids spin down and have a rubber gasket that will keep their foods fresher smelling far longer. The smallest can fit a 5 lb. bg of cat food, so maybe a few of these might fit the bill. These smaller canisters stand taller, so storage on short shelves might be a concern. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2006 : 07:14:15 AM
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I keep my flour, sugar, oats and a few other things in those large glass canisters that have the knob handle on the lid (Target, WalMart have them).I have my brown sugar in a square glass cannister with green lid , that my grandparents always kept their brown sugar in! Old fashioned looking , practical because I can see when I am running out and I use it so often rarely have I had a problem. I did stop buying my flour from the bulk area of the health store because it always seemed to have bug problems and YUCK! that does not put you in the frame of mind to bake!
with a happy heart |
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Farm Kitchen: Flour, and what to keep it in |
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Flour, and what to keep it in
