Question for the smart people here

[Hawkmoon]

Why is it that when bread starts to get stale and hard, popping it in a microwave for 15 to 30 seconds can bring it back to breadness again?

[zxcvbob]

I think the starch recrystallizes, which is why it gets tough and dry.  The moisture is still there, it just migrates to the spaces between the starch.  Heating it up dissolves the crystals.  (assuming it's just stale and not dried-out, those are different things)  When I warm up stale pizza or tortillas that I know is also dried out a bit, I sprinkle a little water on before reheating.

[JN01]

We always keep our bread in the freezer, that way it doesn't get stale to begin with. Pull out a couple slices and nuke them for 15 seconds to make a sandwich.

[K Frame]

Check out the big brain on Bob!

Who provided the correct answer.

[Fly320s]

I think the starch recrystallizes, which is why it gets tough and dry.  The moisture is still there, it just migrates to the spaces between the starch.  Heating it up dissolves the crystals.  (assuming it's just stale and not dried-out, those are different things)  When I warm up stale pizza or tortillas that I know is also dried out a bit, I sprinkle a little water on before reheating.

The microwave is quick, but a pan is better.  The bottom stays crisp and the crust doesn't get chewy.

[zxcvbob]

The microwave is quick, but a pan is better.  The bottom stays crisp and the crust doesn't get chewy.

Day-old pizza slice warmed in a hot dry skillet is sometimes better than it was fresh.

[Ben]

Day-old pizza slice warmed in a hot dry skillet is sometimes better than it was fresh.

My mom and dad used to do that with their homemade pizza, and I agree.

I usually reheat my pizza in the toaster oven.

[HankB]

My mom and dad used to do that with their homemade pizza, and I agree.

I usually reheat my pizza in the toaster oven.

I've had one of those "Emeril 360" air fry toaster ovens for over a year now, and it does a fine job reheating pizza - including leftover pizza that's been frozen.

MUCH better than a microwave.

[Bogie]

For crispy crust pizza, nonstick "fried chicken big" frying pan, nothing in the pan but the pizza, over low heat, with the lid on.