Went shopping yesterday and found an unadvertised sale for flour.  I usually buy it in 25lb bags that cost between $16-20/ea.  It was on sale for $6.99/ea.!!   I bought two bags (50lbs) and would have bought four but I was shopping alone.  They also had 4lb bags white sugar for $1.59/ea.  (advertised sale)  I compared the price of the 10lb bags.  10-4lb bags at $1.59 = $15.90.  4-10lb bags at $5.70=$22.80. 

 When I got home and told hubby about the sales he said "we are going back tomorrow to get more".

Karen K:

Went shopping yesterday and found an unadvertised sale for flour.  I usually buy it in 25lb bags that cost between $16-20/ea.  It was on sale for $6.99/ea.!!   I bought two bags (50lbs) and would have bought four but I was shopping alone.  They also had 4lb bags white sugar for $1.59/ea.  (advertised sale)  I compared the price of the 10lb bags.  10-4lb bags at $1.59 = $15.90.  4-10lb bags at $5.70=$22.80. 

 When I got home and told hubby about the sales he said "we are going back tomorrow to get more".

 Great buy! Do you freeze your flour first to ward off creatures? 10# of pinto beans are in my freezer now.

YES!  I have long term storage always in the back of my mind when I am buying/stocking up on stuff.  I grow my own garden and then can/freeze/dry everything too.  In fact, I've been looking at upgrading and buying a new dryer and the Excalibur keeps coming up on the top of the list - and it's a USA company too. 

You got a great deal!! How long do things like flour and beans last in the freezer/ Does it affect the way breads rise (I know the yeast  has to be kept warm, is that only AFTER the bread ismixed into dough? I have a lot to learn....

budzmom:

(I know the yeast  has to be kept warm, is that only AFTER the bread ismixed into dough?

I store my yeast in the fridge with no problems. It usually works for me a few months beyond the expiration date, although I almost always use it up before then. I know some people here at the message boards store their yeast in the freezer.

You're right, once yeast has been mixed into bread dough, it must be kept warm. Yeast is a living fungus that needs to feed and multiply to make the dough rise. (There is a whole chemical process by which the yeast organisms feed off the sugar in the dough, and release carbon dioxide gas. The gas bubbles are what technically make the dough rise.)

The dry products properly packaged and unopened can be kept in a freezer for at least a few years beyond their expiration.  The yeast does need to be warm before you use it in recipes.  To maintain its freshness once you have the jar opened keep it in the fridge between uses.  I keep only unopened supplies in the freezer.  Once the package is open I bring it into the kitchen where I have smaller storage containers to transfer into.

slk2042:

budzmom:

(I know the yeast  has to be kept warm, is that only AFTER the bread ismixed into dough?

I store my yeast in the fridge with no problems. It usually works for me a few months beyond the expiration date, although I almost always use it up before then. I know some people here at the message boards store their yeast in the freezer.

You're right, once yeast has been mixed into bread dough, it must be kept warm. Yeast is a living fungus that needs to feed and multiply to make the dough rise. (There is a whole chemical process by which the yeast organisms feed off the sugar in the dough, and release carbon dioxide gas. The gas bubbles are what technically make the dough rise.)

I store my yeast in the freezer. It can last for years.

Karen...great deals on the flour and sugar! Hope you can get a few more.

I was able to buy a 50 pound bag of potatoes yesterday for only $10.00.

Was I glad!

bw

That is also a good deal on potatoes.  We have many large commercial potato fields around us.  This next week is when the commercial trucks come in and start to pull potatoes.  We go in behind the trucks and glean the fields for potatoes.  Then I can as many potatoes as possible to have potato all year round.  No up front cost for the potato, just our time to glean and cook.

Karen K:

That is also a good deal on potatoes.  We have many large commercial potato fields around us.  This next week is when the commercial trucks come in and start to pull potatoes.  We go in behind the trucks and glean the fields for potatoes.  Then I can as many potatoes as possible to have potato all year round.  No up front cost for the potato, just our time to glean and cook.

Hi Karen...I'm glad I came back to read what you said.

I'd love to be able to glean somewhere, but $10.00 for 50lb is a real good deal for around here. (NWPA)

How do you can your potatoes? I was thinking of trying to pressure can some of mine. Because they are so fresh they are pretty hard so I don't think they'll turn to mush during the canning process.

The Ball Blue Book says 35 minutes for pints, which would be perfect for me.

 If you have time, share how you did yours, please.

bw