Get The Most From Your Bread Flour.

When buying flour, look for tightly sealed bags or boxes. Flours in torn packages or in open bins are exposed to air and to insect contamination.

Flour must be kept cool and dry to keep from turning rancid.

Millers recommend that flours be stored for no more than 6 months.

Flour can be repackaged in airtight, moisture-proof containers and stored in the freezer at 0 degrees for severalyears.

During hot weather, store flour in the refrigerator.

Keep whole wheat flour in the refrigerator year-round. Natural oils cause this flour to turn rancid quickly at room temperature.

Do not store flour near soap powder, onions or other foods and products with strong odors.

Put a bay leaf in the flour canister to help protect against insect infestations. Bay leaves are natural insect repellents.