5 lb *block* of sugar?

**Jamauk** · 01-02-2008, 01:24 PM

I keep a lot of pantry overflow on shelves in the garage. Apparently the air in there is quite moist and I now have a 5 lb bag of sugar that has turned into a solid block of concrete.

Is there anyway to salvage this or do I have to pitch the whole thing? Thanks for your help.

P.S. I've since taken all of the sugar & flour out of the garage and am keeping them in the house....

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-02-2008, 01:33 PM

It's still good, but I don't know how you 'unblock' it. Mine gets like that all the time because I keep it in the basement, I just dump it in the sugar container and chip away at it. Hopefully someone can suggest something you can use to draw the moisture out.

**Darlene** · 01-02-2008, 01:35 PM

Maybe these will help...
To soften granulated white sugar that has hardened in the paper bag in which it was packaged, heat your oven to about 250 degrees F, then turn it off and put the bag of sugar in on a cookie sheet. Check after a few minutes. As soon as the bag begins to get warm, the sugar should start softening.http://www.recipegoldmine.com/kitchenhint/khmisc.html

Sugar has a tendency to go hard or soft if it is not used for a while, but with the help of a microwave oven all types of sugar (except icing sugar) can be restored to their original state. If you find the sugar has gone hard, to soften it place the block in a large mixing bowl, add a slice of bread and sprinkle with a little water, cover and heat in the microwave on high for 30-45 seconds. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, remove the bread and transfer the softened sugar to an airtight container
http://www.waitrose.com/recipes/glos...ideoLinks=true

**bumplett** · 01-02-2008, 01:37 PM

great tips!! I'll have to remember those (just in case)

**Jamauk** · 01-02-2008, 02:33 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know how it turns out!

**sdrjeolsen** · 01-02-2008, 05:14 PM

Mine used to do that when we lived down south. I just banged it on a cement floor on each side several times. I've never heard of the oven thing...great idea.

**miss_thrifty** · 01-02-2008, 05:37 PM

usually hard sugar we use bread. id put it in a large air tight container and out at least 1/2 loaf of bread around it. It should start softening it up.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-02-2008, 06:03 PM

I've got a metal meat mallet with teeth on one side and no agression when I'm done filling the smaller tupperware in the house cabinet.

Laurie in Bradenton