Whole Wheat Flour (I use A LOT)

[Sculpture Widow]

Not sure whether to post this here or in the stockpiling forum.

I really need flour, mostly WW flour.

I have made the mistake of not stockpiling enough when it has gone on sale in the past (just the 5 lb bags). Is this just the best way to get it?

Or do you big flour users get it in bulk somewhere?

Storage space is not an issue if I can get a great price.

I'm located in NE Kansas.

[cintinative]

If you order from Meijer.com, you can get a case (eight 5 lb bags=40 lbs) for $28.80. I am not sure about shipping though, but they often have some sort of shipping discount. You could search for codes online.

Meijer: King Arthur Unbleached White Whole Wheat Flour - Pack of 8 (5 lb ea)

The only problem I can see is that it really needs to be refrigerated or frozen if not used quickly because it can go rancid, so 40 lbs is a lot to store.

It is strange that you cannot order it by the case from King Arthur Flour's website.

Unfortunately I am not sure if Costco carries whole wheat flour. Maybe someone else knows?

[3timesoccermom]

You might check bulkfoods.com to see if they have it. I just placed another small order there but can't remember if they have whole wheat flour. I know they have buckwheat flour though.

It's a very interesting site - and not everything is sold in huge quantities.

[nateNnatsmommy]

I just saw this today at my Fred Meyer in the bulk foods section for .69/lb!

[Sculpture Widow]

If you order from Meijer.com, you can get a case (eight 5 lb bags=40 lbs) for $28.80.

Thank you so much for your quick response. Unfortunately, that is not a good price for me.
That breaks down to the equivalent of $3.60 per 5 lb bag, and I can currently get it at my Dillon's store (Kroger chain) for $2.50/bag.
Okay, it's not King Arthur, but I don't need to fancy stuff (that brand does work great for me, though).

I make my own wheat meat (seitan), besides normal baking, so I will go through 1-2 bags/week. The finer the mill, the better. I do not want course ground or graham type flour.

[rslarsenx2]

Thank you so much for your quick response. Unfortunately, that is not a good price for me.
That breaks down to the equivalent of $3.60 per 5 lb bag, and I can currently get it at my Dillon's store (Kroger chain) for $2.50/bag.
Okay, it's not King Arthur, but I don't need to fancy stuff (that brand does work great for me, though).

I make my own wheat meat (seitan), besides normal baking, so I will go through 1-2 bags/week. The finer the mill, the better. I do not want course ground or graham type flour.

If you can find an LDS cannery, they sell whole white wheat and hard winter wheat. I grind my own wheat so I don't have to worry about refriderating a ton of flour. They sell the white wheat (whole wheat, just makes a lighter bread) 25 lb. bags for about $5.80 and the red wheat for $6.35 for a 25 lb. bag. I definitely recommend it. :) hth

[cintinative]

Yes King Arthur is very pricey!!

[newatthis]

I found coupons for $.55/1 5 or 4 lb bag of Gold Medal Whole wheat flour at the store the other day!

[mommas2moody]

Oh off topic but how long do you say Wheat Flour will stay good without putting in frig.?
I am wondering cause I have some sitting on my counter and if it needs to go into the refrig, off it will go cause I paid way more since I did pay way more than .65/lb

[TheWoman]

If you are really using a lot of whole wheat it might be worth your time to buy a good wheat grinder and grind your own.

Advantages:
Whole wheat will store for years, you don't have to worry about it going rancid until after it is ground.
You can generally buy whole wheat cheaper than whole wheat flour, although it is less likely to have sales/coupons. As was suggested above, the LDS canneries are an inexpensive place to buy wheat. It is currently about 25 cents/lb (a few pennies more or less depending on variety) which works out to about $1.25/5 lb bag. That is where I buy mine, but I don't know how that would work if you are not LDS. This link has more information.
"They" claim that once you grind the wheat it starts losing nutrients immediately. If you grind it fresh it is healthier. I don't know exactly who "they" are, but it seems to be a pretty widespread notion.

Disadvantages:
Good wheat grinders are expensive, but they will last a long time.
Grinding wheat is extra step in cooking, noisy and a bit messy.