Kitchen

[gardenman]

If stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer, flour lasts pretty much indefinitely. I've used some lesser-used flour (rye for example) that I've kept frozen two years after its expiration date. It still worked fine, tasted fine, and was fine.

[LindaSal]

In general I would say the dates are usually at least 6 months out.  I also keep my flour refrigerated at all times.

[HerRoyaLioness]

Just bought some KA AP flour at the store this week and exp is 7/20/22.

 I also bought Pillsbury bread flour which expires 5/16/2023. I wonder why the big difference?

[Nightowlz]

I just bought a bag of KA bread flour at Wal-Mart. It has use by 10-22 date on it. The flour we are using is in the refrigerator. I also have some in the freezer.

[Mindy D]

Self rising flour expires much more quickly than all purpose bleached white flour. The shelf life is affected by the type of flour.

[Sooner]

---

@Nightowlz wrote:

I just bought a bag of KA bread flour at Wal-Mart. It has use by 10-22 date on it. The flour we are using is in the refrigerator. I also have some in the freezer.

---

@Nightowlz That wouldn't have surprised me as much as the date I got from KAF itself by order.  You would think that they would ship out the newest from their own site.

Oh well!  Thanks for all the interesting responses here! 

[Another new name Sue]

Tonight I used some white flour to thicken stew which must be a couple years old (the flour, the the stew!).  it was fine, kept in a tightly closed container.  Whole wheat flour might not last as long as white (I'm just guessing at that.)

[ID2]

I buy my baking supplies (flour, sugar, etc) from an Amish store nearby. It's always a full year expiration date. 

[gardenman]

---

@Another new name Sue wrote:

Tonight I used some white flour to thicken stew which must be a couple years old (the flour, the the stew!).  it was fine, kept in a tightly closed container.  Whole wheat flour might not last as long as white (I'm just guessing at that.)

---

And you're right about the whole wheat (or other whole grain flours) not lasting as long unless handled correctly. They will go rancid faster than white processed flour. Kept frozen though, you can store them for years.

[wagirl]

Just checked the bag of AP flour and its date is april-2023