Hello, I'm new here (I registered just to post this question!) and I'm
in need of a portable, sturdy and easily cleaned work surface for
kneading doughs.

I've been trying to price large wooden cutting boards but I'm not sure
how large of a work surface I'll really need to knead a loaf or two of
bread, or even if this is the right tool for the job.

Considering that I'm also fairly new to bread making, a key concern for
me is expense. I'd hate to buy a $100 hardwood cutting board that I'll
use once or twice and then shove in the pantry, never to use it again.

I'd greatly appreciate any advice you can give me, thank you.

Folks have made a few comments recently about their love of "kitchen gadgets" so I decided to post about my almost new kitchen calculator. Imagine my surprise when I went to the source (Lee Valley Tools) and discovered that the price had dropped from $30 to $16.50. I'm twice as happy to recommend it now. Go to:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=58726&cat=2,40733,40734

and have a look-see.

It's very easy to convert something like teaspoons to cups or vice versa. I just converted 150 degrees C to F by hitting 1, 5, 0, C, and F. That's all there was to it. 150C=302F. You can convert ounces to tablespoons or teaspoons, etc. in the same way.

It takes one more step to convert tablespoons of salt to grams, but isn't very hard. Note that directly below the item name and number near the bottom of the write-up you can click "instr.". Instr. will give you a look at the instructions that are printed on a card that is included in the case and which I store right there all the time. At the bottom of the card, you will see a table of specific gravitys which are used to convert from volume measurements to weights for common cooking ingredients. Most of our baking ingredients are on this card, This is a very straightforward process. A little practice and most calculator-using bakers will have it down pat.

I like the feel of this calculator. I am old-fashioned enough to want a somewhat larger key pad with real button-buttons to push, instead of a touch screen. This (like most of Lee Valley's offerings) is a real tool instead of a toy. Lee Valley is a great source of tools for gardening, woodworking, and other tools.

Do I recommend it? You betcha. At that price, it's a steal.

Mary

hello fellow bread makers i have recently joined the ranks of prospective bread makers and was very please to find this site as a home for my trouble.i will probably finish up baking bread and cakesof some descriptiony every day now that i don't have to go to work anymore. no i didn't win the lottery or marry a rich widow i have finally reached the ripe old age of 65 and will very soon now be receiving so much cash from the gov' each week that all my money worries will be over. thats providing gordon brown doesn't steal any more of it, lets face it he's had enough of it already. he even robbed my little private pension that i paid extra for out of my taxable earnings. damn crook and he wants my vote to keep him in power. no chance. anyway to better things.

i am a complete beginner so will rely heavily on the recipes and advise found on this site until i learn better. that also probably means i will ask some very basic stupid questions in the forum the first of wich is already there about mixers in the gear sectionthats enough for now so cheerio be back tomorrow

Does anybody have one?  I'm thinking of getting one--because it would take up less room and be cheaper than a stand-alone grain mill--but can't seem to find any reviews or particulars about it.  The main thing I'm interested in, I guess, is whether it can do a coatrse, cracked-wheat grind.

I discovered this forum when searching the web for a reasonably-priced brotform basket.

Finding none, I read some of the earlier brotform posts and realized that this baking item seems to be universally overpriced.

Decided to take matters into my own hands. It worked!

Grabbed a roll of 7/16" OD x 20' vinyl tubing at Home Depot, $5.55 with tax. I am confident this stuff is food-safe - I have used it for years for brewing beer and it's what moves air and water in millions of fishtanks around the world.

I've got one I'll give to anyone who either wants to come get it or who will pay shipping, which could be substantial (this thing is heavy). It's well used, and could stand a good cleaning, which is simple: you just put it in the oven on the clean cycle. I, alas, can't do that because, since I've moved to Corvallis, OR, the oven in my new home is too small for it.

If you're interested, just email me:

Thanks!

Anybody have a good recommendation for an oil mister? I've had a few different models but none were super good, I want one with a good spray--and figured folks here might have tried some. I like to make pita chips etc and it would be handy (and healthier) to just mist them with olive oil--right now I use a brush....

Thanks in advance!

What bread goodies are you hoping to receive this Christmas? I want a Super Peel, and will be browsing my local bookstore to narrow down my wishlist for bread books. I'd like to have the Hearth Rye bread pan from King Arthur.

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if any of you knew of a bread machine that has a stainless steel pan, or non aluminum/non-stick? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Cana

Hi-

I was wondering if any of you have had experiences with any of the German home grain mills, such as the Schnitzer, Wolfgang or Eschenfelder (Hawo)? I've been using a motorized Country Living mill, but I'm looking for a faster mill. I've tried the Nurtrimill, and it's good for large quantities, but it doesn't go quite as fine as the Country Living mill. The German mills look interesting, but wonder if they'll mill as fine as the Country Living mill. Thanks...

Ralph