Which bread box is better
Storing bread is a pressing daily concern. It is allowed to store bread in the refrigerator, it will not go stale there. But it can become damp or saturated with third-party aromas. Storage in enamel containers is popular, but this is not very convenient. The optimal solution would be to purchase a bread box.
The content of the article
Best material
To keep bread fresh longer, it is necessary to limit the flow of air to it. But if the bread bin is made of non-breathable materials, then you may encounter the opposite problem - the baked goods quickly become moldy.
Tree
Wood breathes, creating an optimal microclimate. In wooden bread bins, baked goods stay fresh longer, do not become moldy or dry out. But wood absorbs odors well and quickly becomes dirty, and it is not recommended to wash it with household chemicals. Therefore, the average service life is only 2-3 years.
Plastic
Synthetic materials are cheap and easy to clean. High-quality food-grade plastic is durable and does not absorb odors. But when buying, you should take a sniff: the smell of the bread box is a reason to refuse to purchase it.
The smell of plastic indicates that cheap plastic was used, which has nothing to do with food.
Birch bark, bamboo
Products made from these materials are beautiful and resistant to microorganisms. But it is better to use birch bark baskets only when setting the table, because they are not suitable for long-term storage: air access to the bread is not limited, it quickly becomes stale. Bamboo wins in this regard: most bread boxes made from it are quite airtight. But the general problem with these materials is the same as with wood - they get dirty quickly, and cannot be washed with chemicals.
Steel
Wear-resistant, non-absorbent and easy to clean stainless steel bread bins keep bread fresh for a long time. They are undemanding in care: you can use cleaning products. The only negative is that even the slightest dirt is clearly visible. But manufacturers take this point into account, expanding their lineup with products with a matte finish.
Combined options
If you are interested in bread bins made from several materials, then it is worth considering the disadvantages of each of them. The most advantageous combinations are made of wood and steel, since they have the least disadvantages. There are options with plastic, porcelain and even glass elements, but they cannot be called particularly practical.
When choosing a bread box with inserts made of fragile material, it is important to take into account that if one part fails, you will have to buy a new bread box.
Best in functionality
For small kitchens, you can choose not a tabletop, but a wall-mounted variation. The useful volume is selected based on the needs of the family. The design depends on taste preferences. But there are much more details that influence the correct choice.
Just storage
In addition to the material used, the shape of the products also plays an important role.The classic bread box is rectangular - this makes it easier to care for. The variation is easy to use and takes up minimal space on the table, which round models cannot boast of. But if round bread is a frequent guest on the table, then it is better to prefer the latter.
Separate storage
If family members have different taste preferences, then you can purchase a bread box with a division of internal space. These can be classic variations with a partition or two-tier models, which, although they look bulky, take up little space.
Vacuum
The container and air pump work wonders - the bread stays fresh for a very long time. In addition, the container can be used not only for baking - any product in an airless environment deteriorates more slowly. But the cost and practicality make you think about the feasibility of the purchase.
Sliced
Such bread bins are focused on user convenience. The cutting board can be a lid, a bottom, or a hinged door. There are models with a retractable variation. Sometimes there is even a niche for storing a knife. It is convenient and practical: everything you need is always at hand. And contact with the surface on which fish or meat was cut is excluded.
Built-in bread bin
This is a newfangled solution from the designer of modern kitchens - a built-in niche for storing bread on the cutting table. Quite a practical and non-standard solution. I wonder how practical and effective it is.
What to choose
A wooden bread box keeps baked goods fresh for the longest time. This material breathes, preventing the accumulation of moisture and, accordingly, the development of microorganisms. But if long service life is more important, then it is better to give preference to stainless steel models.In this case, it is worth paying attention to the ventilation holes: their absence will lead to the formation of condensation, which will have a bad effect on the safety of the bread.