Bread boxes are back in vogue, and for good reason. With more of us edging away from preservative-spiked commercially sold breads, and toward homemade or at the very least organically and freshly baked goodies, we need a means to properly store our buns and loaves without the added chemicals extending their shelf life. Luckily, bread bins are designed to do just that. You may have noticed that keeping fresh bread in Ziploc or plastic bags leaves them soggy, and sticking them in the fridge has them going stale faster – this is because the freshness of bread and the rate at which it grows stale depends partly on airflow.
Bread naturally releases moisture, and all that trapped condensation can soak through paper bags or leave your crisp crusts mushy. On the other hand, leaving them out in the open exposes them to excessive airflow and dries them out faster. Bread bins, designed with air vents to moderate the level of airflow inside, maintaining just enough humidity to retain the crisp freshness of your baked goodies while at the same time keeping them from drying out, are a classic and effective solution. And with their rising popularity, we are spoiled for choice, with stylish, retro and statement pieces which’ll look great on our countertops. It’s easy to confuse style with functionality, though – which is why we’ve shortlisted our picks for the bread bins we believe not only look great, but work great too.
Bread naturally releases moisture, and all that trapped condensation can soak through paper bags or leave your crisp crusts mushy. On the other hand, leaving them out in the open exposes them to excessive airflow and dries them out faster. Bread bins, designed with air vents to moderate the level of airflow inside, maintaining just enough humidity to retain the crisp freshness of your baked goodies while at the same time keeping them from drying out, are a classic and effective solution. And with their rising popularity, we are spoiled for choice, with stylish, retro and statement pieces which’ll look great on our countertops. It’s easy to confuse style with functionality, though – which is why we’ve shortlisted our picks for the bread bins we believe not only look great, but work great too.
KEN’S PICK
Juvale Bread Box for Kitchen
A retro design in heavy-duty, glossy powder-coated steel and popping splashes of bold or statement color, this bread box harkens back to the 50s and brightens up any counterspace or kitchen. We love the hinged lid and durable tin-like design of the bin, combining practicality with style to create a great looking addition sure to draw the eye in our kitchen, while also doing its part in keeping our baked goodies fresh if we’re not planning to eat them immediately. The lid seals in tight, while air vents situated at the back of the box allow just the right degree of airflow to moderate moisture levels within it. Durable construction ensures the opening and closing mechanism of the bin remains smooth, a grip bar attached to the lip of the lid to let you hold and pull the lid open for easy access. The flat top is a handy design choice in case you have limited counterspace – not only can you slide this rectangular, clean-edged unit on top of appliances like microwave or toaster ovens, you can also place condiments, jars and bottles on top of this bread box to save space too.
Measuring up at 16.75 by 9 by 6.5 inches, this bread bin doesn’t shirk on capacity – you can fit two full-sized loaves inside with space left over for muffins, bagels and bread rolls, and what you can keep inside, you get to avoid cluttering up your counter, pantry or fridge with.
KEN’S BUDGET PICK
Progressive Prep Solutions Adjustable Bread Keeper
Some of us tend to lose track of things, including what food we’ve got lying around in our pantries, cupboards and fridges. For the more forgetful, the transparent design of this bread box is both a modern, simple but clean item to add to our countertops as well as a handy way of letting us keep an eye on how much bread we’ve got left and when we’ll be needing a restock. The clear design is also pretty handy when we’re in the mood to show off our aesthetically pleasing, homemade loaves sitting coyly on the counter, waiting to be sliced up and devoured – nothing says wholesome as a hunk of fresh, home-baked bread, and this unit lets us both display it and preserve its freshness.
But the transparency isn’t the feature scoring this bread bin a resolute place on this list – not only is this item available at a pocket-friendly price, it may be one of the most versatile, dynamic bread boxes we’ve seen, period. The clever design of the box lets you expand it to almost 11 inches, to make room for bigger breads and loaves, while contracting it lets you save counterspace and tuck into storage when it’s not in use. Meanwhile, adjustable vents with ‘open’ and ‘close’ mechanisms allow you to moderate airflow and maintain just the right level of humidity to keep your baked goodies fresh. A slide-out, highly durable and anti-microbial polyurethane cutting board lets you store whole loaves you can easily slice without dirtying up your counters, the fall front opening making it easily accessible by simply tugging down the grip bar situated at the upper edge of the door.
RUNNER-UP
Brabantia Fall Front Bread Box
Sleek and contemporary, this modern bread bin with its flat top and clean edges lets you slide it right up on top of your microwave or beside the toaster, also letting you save space by stacking jars and canisters on its even surface. The fall front flap is fitted with a magnetic seal and keeps the box tightly shut, a ventilation base allowing the adequate airflow to maintain the desired humidity and an internal capacity large enough to let you store two whole loaves of bread with ease. You also don’t have to worry about the upkeep of ensuring the sleek steel finish stays smooth and clean – the Fingerprint Proof Matte Steel construct of the bread bin deters smudges and smears, and leaves this unit looking modern and stylish in any kitchen space, with 6 available colors and metallic finishes to suit your aesthetic.
RUNNER-UP
Home-it Stainless Steel Bread Box
A futuristic capsule of a bread box, this brushed stainless steel finish unit features a smooth swing down opening and dimensions of 16 by 10 by 7 inches, the interior big enough to easily hold two full-sized loaves of bread. The flat bottom lets you keep it on the counter or any flat top appliances in your kitchen, clearing up the clutter of plastic bags of bread using up your counterspace. A steel bar fixed to the bottom edge of the opening lets you push the box open and slide it shut with ease.