Rock Hard Sugar

[homedeeth]

Courtesy of my local foodbank, i received a kilo bag of rock hard sugar.
Its one big solid lump.
Other than using it as a doorstop, how can i get it to its normal granulated state?

[Patsy33]

Let them know. It's obviously got damp. Hopefully they will find you another free flowing one. Other than that, a hammer & chisel? :-)

[Tilly2]

Do you have a hammer?

[ducksie]

If you have a microwave, put it in at 15 second intervals at low heat, as it softens, remove the softened bits and put it in your sugar bowl of canister and just keep doing this until the end then put final few granules into a well earned mug of coffee, it's as tedious as photocopying but it works

[TonyV]

Just a thought. If you have a clean handsaw, reclean it with some methylated or white spirits, could you make some home made sugar lumps?

[fiction-factory]

I'm not sure why foodbanks gave out big bags of sugar. Doesn't sound like a necessity to me- a can of sardines, porridge, pasta, some fresh carrots or bananas would be much better, but I suppose it depends also on what people donate. When we had a collection at school I was surprised at how many people donated crisps and cola,

[fiction-factory]

I'd use it for a crumble along with some oats and maragrine plus a load of free blackberries (still have loads left in the freezer from summer)

[naomi24]

I think I'd bash it with a hammer or something - but I buy sugar about once in every 10 years, so I don't really know what you should do with it.

[Eleena]

BlackBerry crumble, some apples .. yum!

[Mamyalynne]

FF, if it has been donated should they throw it away?

I rarely buy sugar and when it sets I hack into manageable pieces and blitz in processor/blender.

[tamborine]

wrap The bag in a clean tea towel, put it on the floor And hammer it

[pastafreak]

Why should foodbanks give out just necessities? Also, they don't usually accept fresh produce, only items than can be stored easily. Though I don't like sugar, I'd not deny anyone who does but may not afford it.

[fiction-factory]

>FF, if it has been donated should they throw it away?

I did say: "but I suppose it depends also on what people donate".

I'm not sure why anyone would donate a big bag of sugar though. Almost better to give nothing. It would take me 10 years to consume a kilo of sugar. Surely there are better things to donate.

[fiction-factory]

Yes, many people will take anything that is offered for free

[Prudie]

I don't see an issue with donating it, I'm surprised how many of you say you wouldn't get through it. Us two would use a kg bag in a fortnight easily. I will say (and probably get hammered for it) I can't believe anyone couldn't afford 69p if they wanted a bag of sugar.

[fiction-factory]

>Why should foodbanks give out just necessities?

It's up to them what they give out and it's up to people what they donate. But if foodbanks are giving out 'nice to haves' rather than essentials then things can't be as bad as some try to make out by claiming it's all down to austerity and Universal Credit and that it shows that things have never been this bad

[Mamyalynne]

When I do buy white sugar, I get a small bag for when visitors come.

[Mamyalynne]

Don't think I dare comment any more.

Good luck with your sugar homedeeth.

[baza]

People use food banks etc through necessity not choice, a bit of comfort food does no harm. I donate tinned stuff to my local S.A. for the homeless but I think they may get tired of baked beans and corned beef , so a packet of cakes or biscuits makes a change.

[naomi24]

Prudie, //Us two would use a kg bag in a fortnight easily. //

What do you use it for? We don't take sugar in tea or coffee and I don't make cakes or puddings. I only have it in the house should visitors want it. I can't imagine using that much in years.

[Prudie]

Well that's it really, we both take 2 tsp sugar in tea and coffee. At the weekend for example, we have at least 5 cups of tea each per day.