Yes, no matter what you do, home baked bread does go stale sooner than “store bought”. That is why it does not matter what bread baking group you read, one of the most commonly asked questions is how to keep it from going stale.
Caveat Lechtor: The following contains Affiliate links. Use of these links may pay a small commission to me such payments do not affect the price you pay and if you find a better price, please do let me know.
First the Reality Check: Most if not all Bread Bakers will tell you how wonderful it is to have bread that does not contain unnecessary chemicals. As often as not, the same folks will ask how to keep their bread from going stale. The answer is to add chemicals (and yes even vinegar as so say will help) – in other words you cannot have it both ways. And certainly unless you accept this reality, you honestly might be happier buying store brand white bread.
Having accepted this reality, based on my nearly 60 years of bread making, my primary solution is to bake smaller loaves and to do so more often. I cannot begin to tell you how many different ideas Ihave tried with varying degrees of success. If you have something else that works for you, I am happy for you. But for me and likely among the top reasons I am so very happy to have found my KBS MBF-041 since its Tube Pan makes 1 lb loaves work really well for just us two for either sandwich, toast or dessert type breads.
Consider using these plastic bread bags for “breaking down” things like value packs of protein and for bread storage. This “buy” has average been sufficient for about about a 24 month supply. Their size (approx 11 x 12 inch) works well for my 1 and 1.5 lb loaves of bread. Twist tightly and use twist ties to seal for storage in refrigerator or, to place inside a freezer zip loc. Why inside a second plastic bag? Because I reuse the freezer bags – more about that another time. Sometimes just for bread or meal sized portion and some times for all the ingredients for a particular recipe with each ingredient in its own “flap” type sandwich bag. My greenish compromise.
The most common reply is to wait for it to cool completely (and to that I would add – that means several hours on the counter – which on those rare occasions when I plan to freeze bread like objects) Place in a plastic bag and let it get really cold (overnight) in the Refrigerator. Then Slice and place in sandwich bags with a “burger wax paper” between the slices.
I usually put two slices per bag in case of a grill cheese emergency, with a single slice of was paper between the bread, and another to separate the bread from the cheese (also in the sandwich bag)
Another of my “compromises” is the use of the least expensive fold and close type sandwich bags. Usually the best price is to keep an eye on your local stupid markets store brand in 300 ct boxes. Note, I do not reuse for food storage.
With my system for reusing larger gallon sized freezer zipper bags, there is no need to use the triple the price and the plastic zipper type for the individual sandwiches. (end of earth day quasi lecture) So you can “see” what I mean, If you are the type to go for bulk buying (as with all things Amazon) often at a higher price – this is a link to one of the better priced bulk buys. Note once again, check you local stupid market for the best price.
Tiplet: Freezing anything: Unless it comes in the door frozen, ALL food spends at least over night in the coldest spot in my refrigerator.
So begins yet another chapter in my personal battle with the Division, Exclusion & Inequality practices that affect my shopping choices.
Skipping the entire 14th Amendment argument for equal protection under law…
The financial aspect: It will add about $10 a week or $520 a year to our Food expense.
That would then be balanced by no long needed an Instacart+ Membership so for 2024 that would be offset by $99. With careful shopping likely I can do better to reduce the financial aspect.
Personal Politics: ALDI will be the loser (however small a customer we may be) and to a lesser degree Food Lion & of course the very diverse and really nice people who shop and delivery for Instacart(doubt they will miss my membership)
This article contains Amazon Affiliate Links. Should you purchase using these links, I may receive small compensation the will not effect the price you pay.
The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook – By Beth Hensperger is useful for ALL who enjoy bread baking – not just machine users. It answers about 90 percent of all questions ever asked – even some that are more or less machine specific
If you are new to Bread Machines (even those otherwise experienced in bread baking) you will benefit through taking the time at least read the Orientation section.
MBF – Models Specific NOTE: If recipe indicates “Dough” setting Use The KBS “Leaven Dough” Most, if not all, recipes follow the KBS Order of Ingredients
I came across this direct link to download KBS listing on Amazon to download directly But is has since changed – it was in the Product Information and referred to it as an “Application Guide”. I have used this book with 1/2 doz different machines since it publication and never had a recipe fail IF I FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS of both the Machine Order of adding Ingredients and the recipe.
Or, you purchase a hard copy – (sometimes there are often deal on used copies) thru my Affiliate Link, or download the PDF thru your Kindle Unlimited Link You can also use the links below to get a copy or just the ISBN to search for this book in your local library.
Or look thru the various KBS Amazon Listings to find a link to a “free” pdf copy of the older but still excellent general knowledge and rather dependable recipe resources. Go to the Product listing and then Scroll down until you see:
Looking forward to hearing you questions and opinions and comments about this article are welcome as always
originally posted 2023-June updated 2024-02-12 updated 2024-03-31
Caveat Lector: Use at your own risk Prepared by Wheat using data from public resources – it has not been edited by anyone else and mistakes happen.
The model I currently own and use is the smallest, MBF-041 purchased in June 0f 2023. It makes only 1 and 1.5 lb loaves, although I routinely stretch the “Leaven Dough” to quantity more suitable to 2-3 lb loaves.
IF you see an error please let me know so it can be corrected. It has some seemingly unique menus and I will be adding more details about that to the post specific to the MBF-041. as time and energy allow.
Note: Amazon links in the chart below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after following one of those links, I may receive a small commission. This does NOT increase your costs.
Your Model number (MBF-???) is often printed on the cover of your user manual and on a label on the bottom of your machine. KBS seems to be an appliance manufacturer located in Jinagmen Kangbashi China – in addition to its own KBS brand, based on the patent information, the models for which they hold patents, I suspect they have many other private label agreements beyond the MBF-??? models.
Note: Version of the MBF-013 do not seem to be offered on Amazon in the US (but may be found on Amazon in other countries.
Know Your Ingredients: Xylitol . . . Alert For Pets & People
Also found listed in ingredients as “Birch Sugar” Frankly if it is not safe for pets, I don’t want it in my house – Why? Because what if I use it and gift it to someone with a pet?
