Q&A for How to Cool Bread

No, you do not have to cool the bread on its side.

You can just cool it on a wire rack on a counter.

Sure, but keep it tightly sealed in a plastic bag so that it doesn't absorb any smells from the fridge.

Fresh bread will not dry out fast. Fast, however, is a relative term, so let me say that if you plan to consume the bread sometime on the day you baked it, it will not dry out unless it is very, very, very small. An uncut loaf will hold longer than one that is cut, so consider that. If you bake early, an uncut loaf will still be just fine at the end of the day, but if you expect the loaf to linger for 2 to 3 days, store it in an airtight container.

Put it on a wire rack as soon as possible after you've taken it out of the oven.

This sounds like an invitation to the birds to have a go at eating the bread. Also, it is not a good idea to place human food near anywhere that birds feed because of the potential for germs that may be transferred from the birds to the human food. A more hygienic option is to cool it in the kitchen away from your pet or wild bird feeding stations.

About 30 to 45 minutes, so it's no longer warm to the touch.