Proper Storage Techniques for Baking Ingredients (2024)

Much attention goes to the proper storage environment for raw foods, such as meat and vegetables. Baking ingredients have a shelf life, too, as well as the potential to spoil and not work as effectively when storage conditions are not ideal. By practicing proper humidity control for baked goods and following storage recommendations, you’ll maximize the shelf life of ingredients, reduce waste and ensure the quality of manufactured products.

The Importance of Humidity Control for Baked Goods

When relative humidity levels are high, dry ingredients absorb the moisture in the air. This affects:

  • Their weight
  • Their density
  • Cook times
  • Ingredient quality
  • Shelf life
  • Interactions with other ingredients
  • Flavors
  • Nutritional qualities
  • Consumer health

In addition to storage conditions, humidity control for baked goods is important during the preparation, baking, and cooling stages. When the air lacks sufficient moisture, for example, yeast bread may not rise appropriately. When relative humidity levels are too high when a freshly baked good rests, the food is vulnerable to mold. Problems that result from not having the correct environment for preparing, baking, and cooling food affects the efficiency and operations of commercial baking facilities.

Tips for Storing Common Baking Ingredients

The rule of thumb for storing baking ingredients that don’t require refrigeration or freezing is to place them in an airtight container in an area that’s cool, dark, and dry. Ideal environments are between 50° and 70° F with a relative humidity level at or below 60 percent. Many ingredients have a shelf life of up to two years, but it’s always best to observe a manufacturer’s expiration dates.

Keep the following ingredients dry and covered:

  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Bouillon granules or cubes
  • Dry bread crumbs
  • Solid chocolate
  • Cornmeal
  • Cornstarch
  • White wheat flour
  • Grits
  • Powdered milk
  • Dry pasta
  • Rice
  • Shortening
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Sugar, all types
  • Cereal
  • Tea, all types
  • Marshmallows
  • Vinegar
  • Baking mixes
  • Sauce mixes
  • Pudding mixes
  • Soup mixes
  • Dried vegetables
  • Salt
  • Whole and ground spices and herbs
  • Vanilla and other extracts
  • Dry beans and peas

By keeping the following foods refrigerated, even before opening their packaging, you’ll extend their shelf life:

  • Baked goods
  • Cornmeal (freeze for indefinite storage)
  • Whole wheat and other whole grain flours
  • Molasses
  • Dried fruit
  • Dehydrated vegetable flakes
  • Meat substitutes
  • Nuts
  • Dry yeast

Refrigerate the following foods after opening:

  • Pectin
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Ground coffee
  • Jam and jelly
  • Marshmallow cream
  • Mayonnaise
  • Syrups
  • Vegetable oils
  • Prepared frosting
  • Sauces and condiments
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Coconut, all forms
  • Peanut butter

Part of a baking facility’s operations should include regularly monitoring the temperature and humidity of all the locations in which food is stored. To make humidity control for baked goods simpler, use temporary humidity control solutions that include remote monitoring capabilities. The custom solutions that Polygon offers reduce energy costs and the load on facility HVAC systems while maintaining the ideal temperature and relative humidity levels. Remote monitoring technologies alert necessary workers when conditions fall below optimal levels so they can act quickly. Contact Polygon to learn how temporary climate control solutions will benefit your facility.

[Photo from Rebecca Siegel via CC License 2.0]

Proper Storage Techniques for Baking Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

Proper Storage Techniques for Baking Ingredients? ›

The rule of thumb for storing baking ingredients that don't require refrigeration or freezing is to place them in an airtight container in an area that's cool, dark, and dry. Ideal environments are between 50° and 70° F with a relative humidity level at or below 60 percent.

What are the proper storage techniques for baking ingredients? ›

Although baking ingredients often come with “best-by” dates, these usually matter less than you think, especially if you're storing the ingredients properly — most often, repeat with us, in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.

How to store ingredients properly? ›

Summary
  1. Keep high-risk food at 5 °C or below or above 60 °C to avoid the temperature danger zone and food poisoning.
  2. Store raw foods below cooked foods.
  3. Store food in suitable, covered containers.
  4. Avoid refreezing thawed foods.
  5. Check and observe the use-by dates on food products.
  6. Take special care with high-risk foods.

What are the proper way of storing baked products and why is it important? ›

Bread and baked products such as muffins, bagels, quick breads, waffles, pastries, cakes and cookies are safely stored on the counter or in the pantry. Storing in the refrigerator can increase shelf-life by 2-3 weeks by reducing spoilage issues such as mold growth.

How do you store baking products? ›

Keep dry ingredients together and wet ingredients together. Keep all bottled items together (corn syrup, molasses, extracts) as well as baking-specific spices. Bags of ingredients that tend to slide around, like marshmallows, coconut flakes and chocolate chips, can be stored together in a bin.

What are the five methods in proper storage of food? ›

To extend the longevity of food used at home or in your food business, you can use refrigeration, freezing, canning, sugaring, salting, and even vacuum packing.

What is the proper storage of tools and equipment in baking? ›

Store Properly

After washing and drying your baking tools and accessories, it is essential to store them properly. Store them in a clean and dry place, away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. If possible, store them in a designated baking tool drawer or cabinet to keep them organized and easily accessible.

Where is the best place to store baking ingredients? ›

It's best to keep these ingredients stored at room temperature and protected from excess moisture or sunlight. Leavening agents are also best kept out of the fridge because of their tendency to lump up and become compacted without being used.

How should all products be stored correctly? ›

For example, you must:
  1. observe temperature controls in all storage areas, including display cabinets.
  2. store dried food off the floor.
  3. observe use-by dates.
  4. ensure all areas are clean.
  5. avoid overloading refrigerated units - if they become too full, air doesn't circulate properly, causing food to deteriorate.

What are the top 10 ways to keep food safe? ›

  • Choose foods processed for safety. ...
  • Cook food thoroughly. ...
  • Eat cooked foods immediately. ...
  • Store cooked foods carefully. ...
  • Reheat cooked foods thoroughly. ...
  • Avoid contact between raw foods and cooked foods. ...
  • Wash hands repeatedly. ...
  • Keep all kitchen surfaces meticulously clean.

What is the best way to store baked? ›

Learn how to keep your favourite baked goods fresh with these easy storage tips and tricks.
  1. 1 Cool your baked goods completely. ...
  2. 2 Separate the layers. ...
  3. 3 Add a piece of bread for moisture. ...
  4. 4 Store different baked goods separately. ...
  5. 5 Be wary of humidity. ...
  6. 6 Don't freeze everything. ...
  7. 7 Serve at the correct temperature.

Why is baking storage needed? ›

Backing storage is crucial for data backup. You can manually copy important files to an external drive or use automated backup solutions. This ensures that even if your computer takes an unexpected nap, your data is safe and sound, ready to be restored when needed.

How do you keep baked items fresh? ›

Keep it Tightly Sealed

Perhaps this is the most obvious one, but it's also the simplest. As previously mentioned, soft, fresh baked goods don't do well with exposure to air, so allowing them to cool or rest on the countertop uncovered for extended periods can translate to dry, gross-tasting bread.

What is the proper storing and handling of baking ingredients? ›

Tips for Storing Common Baking Ingredients. The rule of thumb for storing baking ingredients that don't require refrigeration or freezing is to place them in an airtight container in an area that's cool, dark, and dry. Ideal environments are between 50° and 70° F with a relative humidity level at or below 60 percent.

How to properly store sugar? ›

Store sugar in a cool, dry location (not the refrigerator). Moisture makes granulated sugar hard and lumpy. Once this happens, it creates problems in usage and there is no easy method to restore lumpy sugar. Always store all sugars in an odor free area.

How to store dry ingredients? ›

Foods, such as dried mixes, rice, cereal, and pasta sold in airtight bags or boxes do not harbor harmful bacteria, although they may mold if exposed to dampness. Check packaging for holes that could let moisture or bugs in. To provide extra protection, place these foods in plastic or glass containers.

What are the techniques in storing desserts? ›

Storing Desserts at Home

Cakes and most other baked desserts should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container in order to preserve as much freshness as possible. For cakes, gently place plastic wrap over the portions that have been cut before putting the cake in an airtight container.

What are the common baking techniques? ›

The Five Basic Baking Techniques
  • Creaming Method. One baking technique stands out as a fundamental building block for countless delicious treats—the creaming method. ...
  • Mix It All Together. ...
  • Melt, Mix and Bake. ...
  • Rubbing-In Method. ...
  • Whisking Method.
Sep 26, 2023

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