Bag of sugar got damp - any way to save it?

[K&Rs Mom]

It's regular white granulated sugar, in the papery bag from the store. Somehow it got damp or something in the pantry, and now it's just a big block. Is there anything I can do?

[kiana]

Break chunks off the block to make sugar cubes for coffee? :D

 

(Seriously, when I've done this I've just re-pulverized it and it worked okay. I used it for cooking. )

[K&Rs Mom]

I did drop it on the counter to see if it would break up some, but no luck. Do I attack the thing with a chisel? :001_huh:

[Tap]

I would pour it through a metal sieve. Let the loose part filter through and then grate the larger chunks against the sieve. If they don't break being rubbed against the sieve, I guess I would use them in something like iced tea, melting the larger chunks into the hot water.

[Avila]

I did drop it on the counter to see if it would break up some, but no luck. Do I attack the thing with a chisel? :001_huh:

 

Do you have a food processor? If you do, I think it would work, as long as you don't do it long enough that it becomes powdered sugar!

[Maus]

I don't know if it would work for white sugar, but for brown sugar, you can put it in the microwave with a damp paper towel for about 30 seconds and it gets soft enough to break apart.

[K&Rs Mom]

Do you have a food processor? If you do, I think it would work, as long as you don't do it long enough that it becomes powdered sugar!

 

No, just a blender. I may try microwaving it (can't possibly make it any worse) - but if the problem is dampness, it doesn't seem like a damp towel would take moisture out. I don't think I have a sieve that big - it's a 10 lb brick. :(

[Sun]

I would just chisel it into smaller chunks. Then you could put the chunks into ziplocs (double bagged?) and let the kids smash them with mallets until it's mostly broken up. I would probably not give them regular hammers because I'd be afraid that would cause the plastic bags to rip.

[bbkaren]

I just had the same experience when making applesauce last weekend; hard as a rock.

 

I took a heavy bag (I used a contractor garbage bag - new - just in case the sugar bag breaks. A pillowcase would probably work too) and brought it outside and dropped it on the concrete porch.

 

I also swung it against the edge of the porch for a higher point of impact. I also got brave and threw it down on the porch.

 

It broke them into...well...some sugar and some smaller chunks. At least I was able to use it; I used the chunks in the applesauce since it called for 12 cups of sugar.

[Maus]

 

I may try microwaving it (can't possibly make it any worse) - but if the problem is dampness, it doesn't seem like a damp towel would take moisture out.

Is it wet now, or did it get wet and then dry out into a block?

[In The Great White North]

I don't know if it would work for white sugar, but for brown sugar, you can put it in the microwave with a damp paper towel for about 30 seconds and it gets soft enough to break apart.

 

This. And break it up right away because it doesn't stay soft long.