How to Store Sugar
Since there are several forms of sugar, all different in texture, color and usage so knowing how to store sugar is covered here by types of sugars.
Whether sugar is good for us or not, is another topic. But for food storage purposes, it is an essential ingredient in many recipes, as well as a "comfort food". Yes, we all eat too much of it and it's bad for teeth and contributes to overweight and bad health. However, using it sparingly for treats in a time of stress or crisis, can be a comfort to children as well as adults - just because it can make difficult times "seem" more normal. All sugars will store indefinitely - as long as you can keep the bugs out. Always store long term foods in a cool, dark, dry area - this includes sugar.
White Sugar (granulated)
White sugar is very easy to store. The best way to store it is in 6-gallon plastic buckets with mylar bag lining. Add oxygen absorbers and seal the mylar bags, then put the bucket lid on tight.
You can also purchase it already hermetically sealed in #10 cans or 6 gallon buckets.
#10 Cans of Sugar
6 Gallon Buckets of Sugar
When you need to use the sugar, it may be clumped a bit. White sugar breaks up easily and clumps do not mean there's anything wrong with the sugar.
It just means a little moisture was inside when it was sealed. No harm done.
Powdered Sugar (confectioner's sugar)
Powdered sugar is just as easy to store as granulated white sugar. It will not clump as it is a drier sugar to start with. As always, however, make sure to keep it dry and airtight.
I don't use as much powdered sugar as granulated sugar so I buy it in as it comes from the grocery store. It can then be put into 6 gallon buckets or #10 cans and sealed.
Neither Saratoga Farms™ nor Mountain House™ carries powdered sugar in #10 cans to my knowledge. I did find it under the Provident Pantry™ brand.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is a different story - only because it is moist and will dry into a solid block in long term storage - depending on how it is stored. Saratoga Farms™ brown sugar has a 30-year shelf life. How can they claim that?
Because the double-enameled #10 cans are hermetically sealed, it will keep its fresh flavor and remain isolated from harmful elements, chemicals, and pests. They do not state, however, that it will still be soft in 30 years.
If it is hard at any time that you open it, it can still be used - but it will need to be softened (see below).
Another suggestion would be to make your own brown sugar as needed. Brown sugar is just white granulated sugar with molasses added.
The amount of molasses added determines whether it becomes light brown or dark brown sugar.
Here are some ways to soften it:
- Place the brown sugar in an airtight container with a slice of fresh bread placed on top. Seal and leave overnight. If it's not soft and fresh by morning, let it sit another day or two.
- Sprinkle it with a few drops of water, place in a plastic bag, seal, and let sit for a couple days.
- Place it in an open container and put a wet cloth or paper towel over the container. Let sit overnight.
- Put a few apple slices in the container with the sugar and leave closed for a day or two. Remove apple slices once sugar is soft again.
- Use foil or plastic wrap to cover the top of the sugar. Then set a dampened sheet of paper towel (not dripping wet) on top of the foil. Place in an airtight container and seal. Let sit overnight or a few days as needed. Remove foil and paper towel once the towel is dry and sugar is fresh again.
- Buy a clay disc or if you have a pottery piece from a broken clay pot, etc., set it in water for about 30 minutes. Dry the piece so it isn’t dripping wet. Put the clay piece in a container with the sugar and seal. Check after a few days. Keep the piece in with your sugar for months if you’d like–will keep it soft.
Need the sugar soft now?
- Put the brown sugar in a container and place in the microwave with a small bowl full of water beside it. Microwave for about 1 minute–check. If it’s still hard, try for another 30 seconds. You can keep doing this until the sugar is soft, but watch that you don’t melt the sugar. (Microwaving is only a temporary solution - the sugar will harden again unless you use one of the suggestions below.)
- Place the hardened sugar in a baking pan and set in oven (temperature at about 250° F). Check after 5 minutes. If still not soft, continue checking every few minutes until it’s soft and ready to use.
- Place the brown sugar chunk in a microwave safe plastic bag. Take a square of paper towel and moisten with water (not dripping wet–wring out excess). Place the wet paper towel in the bag with the sugar and seal. Place in the microwave for approximately 20 seconds. If still not soft, microwave for a few seconds more, repeating until the sugar is ready to use. Be careful not to melt the sugar.
- Stick chunks of the brown sugar in a food processor or blender and chop/pulse until useable.
To keep brown sugar soft to use on a daily basis:
- Make sure to store brown sugar in a sealed, airtight container. A clay disc kept in the container can keep it soft for months (see tip above for clay disc).
- Brown sugar can also be stored in the freezer and thawed a few hours before using.
- In many of the cooking catalogues or stores, there are small brown sugar teddy bears which, when soaked for 15 minutes in water, can be placed in your brown sugar in a closed container. The moisture from the teddy bear keeps the sugar soft. Refresh in water maybe once or twice a year.
If you are unsure of how to store sugar or other food products and pack them for long term storage, watch these short videos.
Related Topics
- Food Shelf Life - How long can I store my food?
- Food Storage Containers - How to dry pack for long term storage.
- Food Storage Chart - How long will my food keep on the shelf? In the refrigerator? In the freezer?
