New to Forum and new to bread baking.

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frrobert on 18 Feb 2017 at 12:39

I just wanted to introduce myself.  With the exception of pizza crust, I have little experience baking bread.

Here is my first question.  Are there any one armed bread bakers on the forum?  I have paralysis on one side and only use of one hand.  So I need to come up with some workarounds for different things like shaping.  My first batard wound up more of a baguette shape. :)

Robert

 

 

Ford on 18 Feb 2017 at 13:07

Welcome to this forum.  Floyd Mann is our host.

I have no experience as a one arm baker.  I , in my ignorance, suggest that you might flatten the dough then fold it to get the right shape.  This might be done also when baking with a loaf pan.

Good luck.  Keep trying.

Ford

 

hi robert i have use of both hands but because of serious wrist fractures i can't knead bread by hand. i use a bread machine on the dough cycle or my kitchenaid with the dough hook. after the dough has proofed, i smack it down & fold it several times; this can be done with one hand. recently, i read something about using a rolling pin to degass the bread after proofing. this worked fantastically. just slowly roll a rolling pin gently over the dough in several directions. this can be done with one hand. after the bread has been degassed, fold gently several times (similar to an envelope) and tuck in ends. place in pan. i apologize for the instructions. these are for a pan loaf but you can do something similar for a boule, etc. Good Luck & Happy Baking Claudia

A different area to mix dough can include a clean sink.  Or a mixing bowl or square container that fits snuggly into the sink with perhaps the help of a towel.  That way the container isn't moving around on you while you work.  Cover with a damp towel extending over the counter top. Wring out the towel by hooking it around the faucet and twisting the ends together with your hand.

I'm not one armed but at times have been.  Welcome to TFL!

 and end up with batards  , lol   .  

  Have you used bread forms at all , or dumping the dough onto the flat tray and pushing it into shape with the dough scraper ?

 

  

 

  

 

   

bread machines at Goodwill and using them to help Wounded Warriors make bread.  I am always amazed how many of them eventually end up making bread without the machine.  Many one armed warriors are better at making bread than the rest of us:-)  Mini Oven is on the right track for sure.  I'm guessing the sink trick works very well and pans too.  I have seen many bakers shape two boules at once so one should be no problem with practice as well.  Necessity is the mother of invention!

Welcome and happy baking

Thanks to everyone for their comments.  I am sure that this forum will be a great help on my bread baking journey.