Fixing a Solid Lump of Sugar: Tips and Tricks for Pantry Storage

[vwpamperedchef]

I just bought a 5 lb thing of sugar, not long ago. Its been in my pantry, I went to use it today and it is a giant solid lump. What can I do to make it granular again, and to prevent this from happening in the future?

I do use Tupperware Modular Mates, but I was finishing what was left in it before I added to it. KWIM?

I managed to use what I needed, but unsure of how to proceed.

THANKS!

 

[babywings76]

Is it possible to put it in the tupperware and then hack at it?! I've had times where there were a lot of huge clumps, but not as bad as you are describing. But maybe once you start hacking at it, it'll crumble apart and not be completely through and through hard. KWIM?

 

[MORFIA]

I have seen people put a small piece of ceramic in there sugar to keep from clumping--I would wonder if it got wet?? Or moist where it was kept-

 

[sklay723]

I've heard of putting a slice of bread or a couple of apple slices in an airtight container with brown sugar to soften it up, but maybe it would work on regular sugar, too? Hope this helps somehow...

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Is it possible to put it in the tupperware and then hack at it?! I've had times where there were a lot of huge clumps, but not as bad as you are describing. But maybe once you start hacking at it, it'll crumble apart and not be completely through and through hard. KWIM?

This doesn't sound so easy! LOL The container isnt that big, but maybe I could find a bigger bowl to hack away at it. Maybe I should wait til I have an aggravating day at work and then come home and take my aggression out on it?? HA!

 

[AnnieBee]

The ceramic thingy/bread is only for brown sugar, where you want it to stay a little moist. Moisture in white sugar will make it clump, you want it to stay as dry as possible.

I would double bag it in ziplock bags and take a rolling pin to it, or actually maybe the meat tenderiser (flat side!) and whack at it to see if you can get it to break up enough.

 

[erin.tpc]

I was curious, so googled it. This is what I found at Sugar Association. Hope it's helpful!

Q-"How can I soften hard white sugar?"
A-"Sugar hardens when it is exposed to moisture, like high humidity, and then the surface dries. Break the hardened sugar into manageable pieces with a meat tenderizer or heavy mixing spoon. Toss the pieces into a food processor or blender, and blend until smooth. It’s best to keep your sugar in a sealed container."

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Thanks Erin, I took the advice of one of the earlier posts and put in slices of bread, prior to reading that that was only for brown sugar. I placed the block of sugar in with the bread, and it immediately cracked in half on a diagonal.

Every now and then i go over to it and give it a hearty shake with the lid on. Its been working, so far.

The tupperware container is going thru the wash and when it is clean and dry I will put my reformed granulated sugar into it!

Thank you to all for the suggestions!