Heated Bread Baskets

There is nothing like home baked bread right out of the oven. It is how bread is meant to be tasted: warm, soft, and delicious. But bread does not stay warm for very long and then, while still better than most store bought loaves, it doesn't have that same appeal.

You can extend your pleasure longer than ever before with a heated bread basket. These items are great for when company comes to visit or for when your family has a quiet dinner at home.

There are a few different types of heated bread basket. These differences are not just in how they look, but in the materials from which they are made.

A few companies, such as Pfaltzgraff, sell bread baskets with a stone bottom. The stone is removable from the rest of the basket and can be warmed in the oven. After five or ten minutes at 350 degrees, the stone can be put back into the basket and covered with your bread. The stone retains heat well enough that it will keep your bread warm for the duration of a meal.

The Keilin company also makes a similar basket. The main differences here are that with the Keilin basket, the stone is made to be heated in the microwave. It also comes with a specially made thick napkin that goes over the bread to prevent heat from escaping through the top. A small word of warning: do not heat the napkin along with the stone; as the stone heats up, it may burn a hole through the fabric.

You can also find warming bread stones that do not come with the actual basket. A few companies offer terra cotta warming stones that you can put into your favorite basket. Some of these are not only functional, but inspirational, too. With a carving of an angel, one of these products has a lovely written request that angels watch over your home (hey, why not warm your heart along with your bread). This may add a nice contrast to the "Bless This Mess" sign over your sink.

Ceramic bread warming stones work just as well as their actual stone counterparts and can be a great match for your dishware. Shop around for one that will look great and fit your favorite bread basket.

More information on bread baskets