It’s one of the worst feelings when you walk into the kitchen, hungry for lunch, and you see those awful fuzzy mold spots on your loaf of previously fresh bread. You just bought this loaf a few days ago!
Fresh bread often doesn’t have any preservatives in it, unlike the pre-sliced varieties found on your local supermarket’s shelves.
This means that it’s prone to molding faster when it’s placed in a humid environment — Luckily, bread boxes can prevent humidity build-up and also slow down mold growth.
Bread boxes are a wonderful solution for keeping loaves of bread both fresh and mold-free for longer periods of time. They work better than the refrigerator at keeping your bread at peak quality without drying it out. If you find yourself having to throw out loaves of bread regularly, investing in a bread box can be a lifesaver.
How to Store Bread to Avoid Mold
When you’re considering how you want to store your delicious loaf of fresh sourdough bread, you may be wondering how to avoid it becoming moldy within a day or two.
People often choose the fridge or a bread box in order to preserve their baked goods until they can consume them.
If you choose to leave your loaf on the countertop, you may end up with overly stale bread that’s perhaps developed mold within a few days.
Some people prefer to pop their loaves into the fridge or freeze it by the slice, so they can toast them easily later on.
However, if you enjoy regular sandwiches — both of these options may leave you with dried-out bread that doesn’t taste as fresh as it once did.
The best option to store bread to avoid mold is to use a bread box. Bread boxes check off all the necessary boxes to discourage mold growth by keeping the loaf covered, dry, and cool.
What is the Point of a Bread Box?
If you’re consistently finding yourself with a moldy loaf of bread, you may want to give a bread box a try.
They can prevent mold and keep your delicious baked goods fresh for a longer time — therefore allowing you more time to enjoy them.
Once you have a bread box on your kitchen counter, you can easily throw your loaves into it once you get back from the grocery store.
This kitchen appliance is likely to pay for itself within a few months as you can now prevent unnecessary waste.
For avid home bakers, bread boxes may even become a necessity as this homemade preservative-free bread is prone to drying out and growing mold within a couple of days when left on the countertop.
You should never eat bread that has grown mold, even if you slice off the affected area.
How Do Bread Boxes Work?
Bread boxes help to maintain the original quality of the bread, including the crunch of the exterior crust and the softness of the inside crumb.
Bread boxes work by trapping the moisture of the bread within the container to not allow the bread to dry out and become stale and hard.
However, a quality bread box also uses ventilation to allow some moisture out of the box.
When there is a build-up of too much humidity or moisture, the crust of a fresh loaf of bread is going to turn soft and lost that delicious crispy texture.
In short, bread boxes create the perfect humid environment for bread to stay fresh for several days.
Too much humidity, like in a plastic bag, causes mold to grow quickly as there’s no ventilation.
How to Store Bread in a Bread Box
When using your bread box, the process is quite simple. Remove any outer layer on your bread, such as paper or plastic, before placing the loaf into the bread box.
Any extra layers may cause too much humidity and may prevent proper ventilation of the loaf.
Ensure the bread box is sealed properly and then you can forget about it until you’re ready to eat the loaf within the next few days.
Ceramic bread boxes often have a lid whereas stainless steel and wooden boxes often have an attached door. Bread boxes aren’t mean to have an airtight seal as this would affect ventilation.
Does a Bread Box Stop Mold?
All bread will eventually mold, regardless of how many preservatives are packed into it. However, using a bread box can extend the life of your loaves by slowing down the process of mold forming.
Bread boxes provide a cool and dark place for the loaf to rest, which helps to extend the freshness of the bread by 3-4 days.
Bread boxes balance the levels of humidity and air ventilation to both prevent mold growth and to also keep the bread soft and pliable.
If you want to keep your bread mold-free for an extended period of time, it’s best to resort to the freezer as a bread box can only do so much.
Does Bread Get Moldy in a Bread Box?
While it may take your bread longer to get moldy when properly stored in a bread box, it will eventually form mold and become unsafe to eat at a certain point.
Any type of organic or homemade bread will mold quicker than a loaf from the aisle of your local grocery store.
For bread lovers everywhere, a bread box can make a worthwhile investment as it will save you the heartache of reaching for your fresh farmer’s market sourdough loaf and finding it covered in fuzzy mold.
Prolonging the life of your bread is worth a small box that takes up a corner of your counter space, is it not?
If you leave a loaf of fresh bread in your bread box for a week or more, you’re going to notice a decline in freshness and you may start seeing some moldy spots.
At this point, it’s best to throw the loaf out and start over.
Do Bread Boxes Make Bread Moldy?
Well-designed bread boxes will oftentimes feature air vents to prevent a build-up of humidity.
Humidity and excess moisture can cause mold in bread — so you don’t want your bread box to be completely sealed.
If you have a low-quality box that doesn’t have proper ventilation, it may indeed cause your bread to get moldy quicker than it would on the countertop.
For similar reasons, storing bread in a plastic bag is never a good idea as this is a great source of excess humidity build-up.
Choosing the right bread box will not only prolong the life of your bread but it will actively prevent mold through ventilation holes in the box — which keep the humidity levels down below the level that mold typically grows.
Best Bread Boxes to Prevent Mold
When you’re researching the best bread box to prevent mold to purchase with your hard-earned money, you should keep a few things in mind.
Most bread boxes are made from stainless steel or wood. However, you can also find variations made from food-grade plastic and ceramic.
Counter space/size
Bread boxes are often on the larger side of kitchen appliances as they often hold up to two loaves of bread. Make sure you’re checking the measurements before making a decision.
Proper ventilation
Top-quality bread boxes will have air vents to allow out excess humidity. Without these vents, you’re likely going to end up with moldy bread which defeats the purpose of the bread box.
Price
Bread boxes have a variable price range, with the lower-tier options coming in at around $20-30 and the more aesthetically well designed options ranging from $50-60.
Before researching brands, decide what you’re comfortable spending on a bread box.
Top Bread Box Brands to Prevent Mold
The table below breaks down the top options for bread boxes based on your price range and a description of the box to help you find which one would work best for your kitchen.
| Brand Name | Price Range | Description |
| RoyalHouse | $15-20 | 100% bamboo design with roll top |
| Home-It | $20-30 | Sleek stainless steel design with vented holes |
| Oggi | $40-50 | Tempered glass lid with large capacity container |
| HOMEKOKO | $55-65 | Double-layer shelving with clear glass front |
RoyalHouse Bread Box
The RoyalHouse bread box offers a natural and environmentally-friendly bamboo design, which can hold up to two loaves.
There is ventilation within the bamboo to keep your bread from becoming too moist.
- The dimensions are 15.12” x 11” x 6.8”.
- Bamboo is a naturally odor-resistent material.
- The design makes for easy cleaning.
Home-It Bread Box
Home-It offers a stainless steel variation on the bread box, which suits many kitchens and matches other appliances.
The box also features ventilation holes throughout the inner container.
- The dimensions are 16” x 10” x 7”.
- The large capacity makes it ideal for multiple items.
- The sleek design doesn’t draw extra attention.
Oggi Bread Box
For those wanting a contemporary style bread box, the Oggi comes offers a clean steel design with tempered glass.
This box offers both practicality as well as a stunning design.
- The dimensions are 15.25” x 9.5” x 8.5”.
- The steel is high-quality and food grade.
- Easy to grip handle for lifting the door.
HOMEKOKO Bread Box
For a slightly higher cost, the HOMEKOKO box offers a beautiful two shelf design that allows consumers to place different varieties of baked goods in the box.
The box comes in several color options, making it more personalized than other options.
- The dimensions are 15.4” x 9.8” x 12.6”.
- Sturdy design with a combination of wood and plexiglass.
- The clear door makes it easy to see what’s inside.
Do Bread Boxes Keep Bread Fresh Longer?
Bread boxes tend to keep loaves of bread fresh for up to a week. Of course, this will depend on several factors — such as if the bread was homemade or packed with preservatives.
Different types of bread will also have different timeframes for how long they can stay fresh.
On average, homemade bread can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days when using a bread box.
The grocery store variety from the bakery section may last for up to a week. Unlike when you leave your bread on the counter, your bread will stay soft for a longer period — making it ideal for sandwiches.
Does Bread Mold Faster in the Fridge?
While the refrigerator is a good option to prevent mold from growing on your bread — it isn’t a great option for keeping your loaf fresh and soft.
You may find that your bread dries out quicker in the fridge than it would have on the countertop.
Once your bread has been refrigerated, you’ll likely find that it’s only edible after you toast it or otherwise warm it back up.
If you don’t, you’ll be eating cold and dry bread and that may be unappealing.
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Why Does Bakery Bread Mold Faster?
If you’re finding that your fresh loaves from the bakery section at your local store seem to mold faster — you’re probably right.
When bread is baked fresh, it’s usually ready to be eaten right away unlike the sliced and bagged varieties on the shelves.
With no preservatives to keep them fresh for long periods, these bakery loaves are more apt to mold quicker, and therefore, it’s recommended to consume them or freeze them within a few days.
Bread boxes can persevere a loaf’s freshness but only for so long. Keep an eye on your fresh bread to ensure it’s staying mold-free for you and your family.
Final Thoughts
Overall, bread boxes are a great way to prolong the freshness of bread and they tend to be a great investment for those who continuously end up with moldy or stale bread.
Mold can be an incredibly frustrating sight when you were looking forward to making some toast for breakfast or enjoying a midday sandwich.
Choosing a bread box with proper ventilation is key, as this helps keep the humidity level down and ensures your bread stays mold-free for a few extra days.
There are many brands to choose from depending on your style and design preferences.
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.