How can I make a bread bin using recycled things?
We’ve had another email from Louise, this time on a “reverse this” type thing?
Hello it’s Louise again (ice-cream containers).
I’d like to make a breadbin using recycled material. I’ve thought about decorating an empty, clean paint container, but I’m not sure it would be hygienic. Any ideas?
I also wanted to tell you that I love your site and some of the creative ideas some of your posters come up with are nothing short of genius.
There you are people, you’re geniuses so let’s not let the lady down ;)
I’d steer clear of paint containers because I’d worry about just how clean I could get them for use with food – and particularly for use with ready-to-eat food that isn’t always wrapped perfectly. But I don’t know what I’d use in their place.
Has anyone made one before or got any ideas? What are good materials to think about? Does it need to be airtight or just fairly closed off dark?
And one final question from me and my tiny tiny kitchen, is it possible to make a collapsible one for folding away/shrinking down when it’s not in use or only holding a couple of crumpets instead of a full loaf?
I’ve used sweetie jars from old fashioned sweet shops as containers for flour, icing sugar and biscuits. However, they’re a little too small for a loaf of bread.
We’ve got big plastic sweetie jar shaped rice jars (which we refill with bulk bought rice) but like the sweetie jars, they’d be just a little too small for a loaf.
We’ll not too small overall but the neck is too narrow. They’d work for buns and small things like that, but it would be a ship-in-a-bottle job for a loaf…
Oh, I’ve just remembered something which would work – John is half Italian so each Christmas-ish, we get a giant panettone from his grandma.
They usually come in giant tins (almost 50cm tall and about 30cm in diameter) and we always reuse them as storage – but they’re a bit too big for the kitchen counters in our aforementioned tiny tiny kitchen. Otherwise though, that would be a great bread bin since they’re usually quite nice to look at too – and they’re essentially a bread bin to start with anyway.
Being the holiday time, I’d think you could find a tin from cookies, crackers or even a (fruit)cake that would do nicely.
Be sure to ask around work, friends, family for a suitable container – I’ve found most people just get rid of them.
Actually, if you have a latex paint can (not oil-based paint!) and you let the paint dry completely, it will peel right off from the can and be totally safe.
Maybe one of those giant popcorn tins?
I don’t know if Contact Vinyl Paper is available where you live, but you could cover the inside (and outside) of your box with it so you could wipe it clean. It even comes in clear if you wanted to use your own fabric or paper underneath.
I know you’re asking for recycled items, but you can buy plastic ones for a couple of bucks.
I would think old organization bins with lids would make good storage for a few loafs!
Love this blog, by the way. I just found it today but will be adding to my favorites!
The sample picture made me think of this, but what about an old toolbox? Maybe a larger one so more than one loaf can fit in if needed, but it’s the right shape and seals nicely, and can be painted as cute as you like.
An old mailbox works great you may have to paint it after you clean it.