The Best Bread Box

Buying Guide

Keeping bread fresh can be a challenge. No matter how quickly you go through a loaf, you’ll likely find that the bread doesn’t taste as fresh after a few days as it did the day you brought it home.

There are some things you can do to extend the life of your bread, though. Moisture accelerates the aging process in a loaf of bread, so finding a way to reduce exposure to moisture can make a difference. But removing all the moisture can also be a bread killer, drying out the interior of the bread and roughening it up.

A bread box creates the ideal environment for a loaf of bread, trapping moisture inside to preserve its softness. At the same time, the right bread box offers just enough breathability to let some of the moisture out, helping it achieve that perfect balance.

Modern bread boxes come in a variety of styles, but one of the biggest differentiating factors is the type of material. Each type has its own benefits.

• Wood: The natural antibacterial properties of wood make it a popular choice for bread boxes. However, wood absorbs moisture, which means your bread will dry out faster.
• Ceramic: As long as the ceramic is glazed, this type of bread box is easy to clean and helps traps moisture inside to prevent drying out. The lid of this type of bread box should not be glazed, though, to allow enough moisture to escape. Otherwise, the bread could become moldy.
• Clay: A classic when it comes to bread boxes, clay is one of the best materials for storing bread. It’s important to make sure the clay is untreated and unpainted so that it’s breathable enough to let moisture out.
• Plastic: Lack of breathability makes plastic a bad choice for multiday bread storage. It is a versatile, durable option that is great for transporting bread or storing it short term, but bread will quickly go stale with the heavy moisture content inside.
• Metal: Rustproof metals like aluminum and stainless steel make great bread boxes. Although they’re easy to clean and maintain, they do need ventilation built in, though, to let some of that moisture out.

• Bread needs to be stored away from moisture and heat, so find a corner of the kitchen away from your stove and sink.
• Sliced bread has a shorter shelf life than uncut bread. For the longest-lasting option, buy unsliced bread and point the cut end toward the bottom of the bread box.
• One downside of bread boxes is the “out of sight, out of mind” factor. If you don’t eat bread regularly, it can be easy to forget about the items stored inside until one day you open the lid to an unpleasant surprise.
• Bread boxes aren’t just for bread. You can use them for any baked goods, including cookies and muffins. Some even use them as a handy place to store bagged items like potato chips.
• It’s important to look at your kitchen décor before choosing a bread box. They vary in colors and designs, so you’ll have to make sure it’s a good fit for your space.
• Since you’ll likely store your bread box on the counter, it’s going to take up space. Make sure you have room and measure the space available, including height. This will give you something for comparison while you’re looking at the dimensions of each bread box.
• As you’re measuring the space available, also keep in mind the storage capacity you’ll need. Do you simply need space for a loaf of store-bought bread and maybe some hot dog buns? You could get away with a smaller bread box than someone who purchases larger loaves from the bakery or makes bread from scratch.
• If you live in a humid climate, it’s especially important to find a bread box that protects against outside moisture.