Both white and brown sugar require special storage containers to help protect them from moisture. Air, which hardens brown sugar, will cause both white and brown sugar to lump or form clumps. Thus, both must be stored in rustproof, airtight containers to extend their shelf lives and make them easier to add to drinks and use in recipes. In addition to using the proper containers to store sugar, you can add several well-known items to the jar to help prevent it from lumping.
Place white sugar in a container with an airtight lid for short or long periods of time. Place a slice of soft white bread in the jar to help absorb the moisture that accumulates inside. The bread helps to draw out the moisture. Be sure to replace the slice of bread periodically, as it tends to mold over time. Store the container in a cool and dry location.
White sugar lumps due to too much moisture, while brown sugar tends to get hard and lumpy when exposed to the air that dries it out. Brown sugar must be kept moist to avoid hardness and subsequent lumps. Place a whole lemon, lime or orange in the container holding brown sugar. The moisture in the fruit helps soften the sugar and prevent clumping.
A good moisture absorber for the sugar bowl or jar is a saltine cracker. Add the cracker or crackers to the bottom of the bowl or jar. Crackers help remove the moisture from the sugar, thereby preventing lumping and clumping. One drawback to using crackers, however, is that they tend to break up when the sugar is shaken.
Plain white rice mixes well with sugar and helps absorb moisture. One of the benefits derived from placing rice in the sugar container is that it will not crumble over time and blends well with the sugar. Place approximately one teaspoon of rice in a mesh or cloth teabag and put it directly in the bottom of the jar with the sugar poured over it. Replace the rice bag every two months.
Place a small slice of fresh apple, with the peel still attached, in the jar containing brown sugar. The natural moisture in the apple helps soften the sugar and prevent it from clumping in the container. When brown sugar is not used very often, it dries out and begins to harden and stick together like glue. Adding the apple replaces the moisture so that the sugar is much easier to work with in your cooking.
Linda Woolhether is a retired teacher born in Texas, but now resides in Wyoming. Her career as a reading and writing teacher spanned 20-plus years. She holds a Master of Arts in education in curriculum and instruction and is experienced in various types of writing. She was successful in writing several educational grants while teaching. Completing a novel is presently her goal.
Remove sugar from the package and put in an ovenproof container that will hold the sugar. Place in the warm oven for approximately 15 minutes. Tap sugar with a spoon. If it starts to fall apart, turn oven off and leave sugar in the oven for an hour or two to completely dry out.
Place a small slice of fresh apple, with the peel still attached, in the jar containing brown sugar. The natural moisture in the apple helps soften the sugar and prevent it from clumping in the container. When brown sugar is not used very often, it dries out and begins to harden and stick together like glue. Adding the apple replaces the moisture so that the sugar is much easier to work with in your cooking.
A good moisture absorber for the sugar bowl or jar is a saltine cracker. Add the cracker or crackers to the bottom of the bowl or jar. Crackers help remove the moisture from the sugar, thereby preventing lumping and clumping. One drawback to using crackers, however, is that they tend to break up when the sugar is shaken.
Plain white rice mixes well with sugar and helps absorb moisture. One of the benefits derived from placing rice in the sugar container is that it will not crumble over time and blends well with the sugar. Place approximately one teaspoon of rice in a mesh or cloth teabag and put it directly in the bottom of the jar with the sugar poured over it. Replace the rice bag every two months.
Place white sugar in a container with an airtight lid for short or long periods of time. Place a slice of soft white bread in the jar to help absorb the moisture that accumulates inside. The bread helps to draw out the moisture. Be sure to replace the slice of bread periodically, as it tends to mold over time. Store the container in a cool and dry location.
White sugar lumps due to too much moisture, while brown sugar tends to get hard and lumpy when exposed to the air that dries it out. Brown sugar must be kept moist to avoid hardness and subsequent lumps. Place a whole lemon, lime or orange in the container holding brown sugar. The moisture in the fruit helps soften the sugar and prevent clumping.
Preventing white sugar from clumping in the canister
FAQ
How do you moisten dry sugar?
How do you save sugar from moisture?
How do you remove moisture from sugar?
Air exposure is a slow but effective way to remove moisture from sugar. For quicker results, spread moist sugar on a baking sheet and place in an oven set to no more than between 120°F and 150°F (49°C and 66°C) for a while. Allowing sugar to air dry afterward helps ensure no moisture remains in it.
What are the ways to decrease sugar levels?
Some of the ways to decrease sugar levels are cutting down on carbohydrates in the diet like eating less rice, starch, and sugar items. Drinking juice or soda with high calories should also be avoided. The diet should be rich in fats and proteins. Regular exercise or physical activity like swimming, jogging, walking for 1 hour per day, and brisk walking every day for a minimum of half an hour is advised to reduce sugar levels. Eating processed food items must be avoided as they are rich in transfat and can accumulate and lead to an increase in sugar levels. Stress also can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. Stress levels can be managed through regular exercise, yoga, and meditation. In uncontrolled sugar levels, initial treatment depends upon oral hypoglycemic drugs, and only in severe cases, insulin will be required.
How do you keep sugar dry?
Keep it dry: Store sugar in a cool, dry place away from any sources of moisture, such as sinks, stoves, or humid areas in the kitchen. Use moisture-absorbing agents: Consider adding moisture-absorbing agents like silica gel packets or rice to the sugar container. These agents help absorb excess moisture and keep the sugar dry.
How do you soften sugar?
Just grab a paper towel and dampen it slightly so it’s not soaking wet. Pop it in your sugar container, seal it up, and let it sit overnight. Be patient, and the paper towel will gradually soften those stubborn sugar chunks. The next day, remove the paper towel and grab a fork. Crush the chunks and the sugar will be soft and ready to use.