Breadboxes are an essential component of many kitchens. They are an old but highly functional device that plays a crucial role in our daily lives, keeping our bread fresh.
Unfortunately, any alternative method has always paled in comparison compared to this tried and tested kitchen necessity. But it is important to know how to buy the best one for you to guarantee that your bread will not go moldy.
So follow the article below to ensure that you are aware of all the varieties available and the pros and cons that go with them.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
Why Use a Breadbox
While bread is a daily staple to many worldwide, plenty of it is thrown out due to mold every year. However, breadboxes are here to help.
A bread box is a bread-storing solution that provides the optimal environment for bread to stay fresh for as long as possible. These simple contraptions help to maintain a dark, airtight environment with consistent humidity, which prevents mold growth and bread from drying prematurely.
These boxes work on essentially every type of bread, from your typical store-bought loaf to homemade sourdough. Any wheat-based baked good will be expertly preserved for as long as possible in these perfectly suited bins.
What to Know Before You Buy
Although they may appear primitive, there are actually some considerations to remember when you are planning on purchasing a bread box. Here are some of the critical variables that you should make a note of:
How it Opens – Lid Options
The box must be essentially airtight when it is sealed. This is crucial to provide the necessary environment for the bread not to decompose.
A traditional lid would be simple piece of removable wood. This is typically modernized with a rubber seal to ensure a tight fit.
These inexpensive versions cannot fail as they are uncomplicated and reliable. They are also cheaper to produce and longer lasting than their alternatives.
Hinge lids are the second most common version. They are great additions to any countertop as they are often more compact and stylish than traditional lids.
Additionally, they prevent the owner from not returning the lid to the closed position, compromising the entire system. Finally, a roll-up lid is the third most common lid option.
These have become more fashionable and are highly regarded due to their smaller but highly functional lid-opening abilities. They are ideal for smaller homes and spaces like inside shelving units.
The Size
It may seem like a simple consideration, but the size of the bin you buy is a critical factor. It will have knock-on effects on how well it functions as a bread box and how well it suits your kitchen space.
First, you must consider where you can fit the bread bin. If they are stored on your countertop, you will need considerable space, as most bins comfortably fit two whole loaves of bread.
Moreover, consider how large a bin you require. If you are a large family, you may need a sizable bread box to meet your demands.
Conversely, if you overfill a smaller bread bin, you can easily reverse the bread bit’s positive effects if it is stuffed full.
It would help if you fully appreciate your needs and where to store the bin before purchasing one. Always measure the exact space you need it to fit in to ensure that you make the most appropriate purchase possible.
Material Used
The material used for the bread box is another factor to be evaluated. Modern bread bins have various materials that can be utilized to provide a stylish and highly functional product.
Plastic bread boxes have become the most common in recent years. This is due to their inexpensive and rabid manufacturing process.
Although they are generally not the most stylish, it is highly functional and likely to last for a long time. In addition, it is the lightest option of all the material, which can be a real bonus if you need to store it in more isolated locations.
Wood is the most traditional material and is often considered the most stylish. Due to the nature of their construction, they are typically the largest and heaviest option.
These breadboxes are ideal for larger households that require a durable, fashionable, and large bread-storing container. Bamboo has become a more contemporary material used to manufacture bread boxed creatively.
This is an excellent option for environmentally conscience consumers due to the rate of bamboo regeneration. However, these are typically niche options that will come with a more exclusive price tag.
Stainless steel is a sensible choice for the average homeowner. They are lightweight and durable, which is ideal for bread lovers.
More crucially, these are remarkably easy to clean. With a simple damp cloth, you can get your box to look good as new without worrying about it permanently staining.
Ceramic bread bins are a more contemporary option. They have the added benefit of remaining cool in warm climates and are excellent at keeping bread moist for longer.
However, they are a much heavier and more costly option compared to many of the other options.
Cost
The last and sometimes the most significant decision-making factor is how much it will cost. The vast array of materials combined with modern design can cause the cost to vary widely.
For the most basic bread box, you should expect to pay around $20 – $30. However, if you would like a more stylish box made from contemporary material, you could easily spend up to $80.
But consider how long this bread box will last. Maybe even a lifetime?
It may be worth spending a little extra to get one you really love.
Recommended Bread Boxes
There is an almost endless amount of bread boxes you can choose from online and in-store. However, these are three bread boxes that are explicitly recommended for you.
Buddees Sandwich Size Bread Buddy Dispenser
The Buddees bread box is an excellent dispenser at an incredibly low cost of around $12. This perfect plastic bread box is lightweight, sleek, and easily stored.
It is the ideal box for smaller households that need a more compact solution for their bread storage.
The downside to this bread box is that it is really only designed for long slim, store-bought bread. Therefore, it has extremely little room for error if you purchase the wrong-sized bread.
Moreover, it lacks any stylish features and is less durable than some of the many other bread box alternatives.
[amazon box=”B00024JRC6″ template=”vertical”]Farmhouse Breadbox by Saratoga Home
Saratoga’s farmhouse-style breadbox is one for the more style-orientated consumer. It is a fashionable steel-constructed box with rustic calligraphy.
The bread box is excellent value for money which is a great option for a money conscience consumer, selling for around $20. Its timeless steel construction is large, lightweight, and durable as well, which is perfect for any growing family.
The downside is that it requires a lot of space to store and open freely, which is less suitable for a compact kitchen. Moreover, it does not have an insulated lid, so it is less airtight than the rubber-sealed or plastic lid option.
[amazon box=”B0912YZ523″ template=”vertical”]ETMI Bamboo Bread Box
This ETMI bamboo bread box is an excellent example of a stylish design with superior functionality. It is a remarkably designed bread box that is perfect for most consumers.
It is a reasonably compact design with an opaque panel to allow you to see if there is anything inside without it being too obvious. In addition, it remains an affordable bread box at a mere $30, using some of the best materials and designs in the market.
The drawback is first that consumers are paying extra for style and functionality, even though it works essentially as well as the cheapest option. Additionally, wood, plastic, or metal bread boxes are more robust than bamboo material.
Therefore, the additional cost does not provide any extra utility for the money.
[amazon box=”B08DNLH4QD” template=”vertical”]Conclusion
After reading this article, you will now be fully equipped to buy the best possible bread box to prevent your beloved bread from going moldy.
Understanding the advantages and drawbacks of the variety of breadboxes will allow you to buy a breadbox you will likely own for the rest of your life. So go forth and be free from moldy bread for good.
Farah Zeb is a mother of five, including two children with special needs. She shares practical parenting tips and resources to help other families navigate daily challenges and create supportive, nurturing environments.
