Is old yeast ok to use?

Question

I have some active dry yeast that is a few months old. It has been in my refridgerator. I made some bread with it the other night and it was ok but it was a little flat and I think I should have used more salt. I was going to try it again today in my breadmaker with a different recipe with bread flower instead of all purpose. Would it work if I let it rise a little longer? How much longer? Should I let my yeast that has been in the fridge get to room temperature? Or should I just get off my lazy butt and go buy more yeast?? If you are a yeast expert I would love any hints on how I can make my bread maker make better bread!

It's alive!!! I tried the advice about the warm sugar water and it's bubbly!! Yay! Probably not as bubbly as it should be so I may add just a tiny bit more. I think I may use someone elses advice about mixing the yeast and sugar a little bit beforehand.

It doesn't really have an expirations date on it. It just says not to use it after it's been open 4 months so it should be ok. This is only my 3nd attempt ever at making bread. I'll learn from my mistakes I'm sure. Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice!!

Answer 1

Yeast is an active living thing that only has a certain life expediency in those little bags. Old yeast won't hurt you in any way, but it always won't do its job properly (if at all) if it's too old.

Answer 2

It should be okay. Just mix the yeast with 80° to 100° water and mix it up before mixing it into the dough. Don't put salt into the water; put the salt into the dough after the yeast and water are mixed in thouroughly. I have had problems with my bread sinking after the dough rises perfectly. I think I need a new bread machine. Lately, I have been letting the bread machine knead the dough and then I put it into a loaf pan and cook it in the oven on 450°. It seems to hold it's shape better at a higher temperature, but you have to watch the time and make sure it doesn't burn.

Answer 3

What is the expiration date on the yeast? As long as it's not expired, it's fine to use.

I never let mine come to room temp after taking it from the fridge. The recipes I use for bread all call to mix it with warm water or milk, and it proofs just fine.

I'm trying to think what would make bread stay flat. It could be that the water or milk was too hot, and killed the yeast. My only other suggestion would be that you either kneaded it too much, or you didn't let it rise long enough.

Answer 4

you can try it but sometimes it loses its power and won't make the recipe rise as well as it should, refrigeration helps slow this process. also you should always bring your yeast to room temp before using it the way the recipe asks and using the freshest yeast possible...if you want the perfect loaf of bread and lets face it a warm, brown perfect loaf of bread is certainly worth a trip to the grocery...think about it!

Answer 5

Using old yeast usually isn't a good thing to go buy, but if it's only a few months old, and it has been kept in the fridge...I'd say go for it! You said you did use it before, right?

Answer 6

If there is an expiration date on the package of yeast and it has passed, I wouldn't use it cause it doesn't have that active ingredient that enables the dough to rise.

Answer 7

try adding the yeast to your sugar which you can increase a little and let stand in warm water 2 tbsp it should activate this way ...this is the way grannie had to do it.......to get the yeast started

Answer 8

If you put it in a cup of warm water with a bit of sugar, if it bubbles after a few minutes it is active. Otherwise, throw it out.

Answer 9

No. When it's out of date, it won't rise properly. And, it will "sour" the bread that you are going to make.
Better to buy fresh than to have a flat cardboard bread.
:)

Answer 10

No, it loses its rising power. Might be able to stretch the date just a little, but I wouldn't push it much. It's not worth taking that chance.