I've used them and I know some swear by them. I have not had great success with them. The apple worked better! Of course, don't leave it there "forever"!

I used to use the bread and it works. Now I, too, put it in the microwave for a few seconds at a time if it gets hard.

After microwaving it, DO NOT TOUCH it with your fingers to see if it is soft....I BURNED mine doing that. Use a fork or some utencil. :roll:

It does not take long in the microwave and that works well. I use tupperware cannisters now and never have trouble anymore.

I just put a slice of bread. Stays soft.

a slice of bread works. It also works for keeping cookies soft. I worked in a bakery for a while and they made us put bread on the cookies over night. :)

This does work. I have a slice of bread in my bag right now. Change out the bread when necessary.

I put a saltine cracker in my brown sugar canister. Never had a problem keeping is soft. Maybe I just use it before it can.

I store mine in the fridge in the bag it comes in and that isn't even sealed tight. I have no more hard brown sugar....

I bought one of the clay discs that you wet and put in the sugar container. The brown sugar will stay soft. I take it out and re wet it every six months or so. It is a non glazed clay pottery product, looks like the flower pot clay but I think made for food use.