The Fresh Loaf

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Question for those of you using lava rocks to create steam...

breadbakingbassplayer's picture
breadbakingbass...

Question for those of you using lava rocks to create steam...

Hey All,

A quick question for those of you using lava rocks to create steam...

I have been creating steam using a stainless steel pan filled with lava rocks on the floor of my oven...  I washed the lava rocks and sterilized them by boiling them in water for about 30 minutes, and then placing them in my oven to dry.  Also, the bottom of my steam pan is slightly rusted.  Not sure if this is a problem...

The results have been great, however, I have had this mineral taste in my mouth for the past week...  Has anyone noticed this when using lava rocks?  Could this be caused the the rust in the bottom of the pan?  None of my friends who have had the breads have noticed...  Also, my diet is the same, and have not eaten anything that I usually don't eat...

Anybody else have this experience?  Please let me know.  Thanks.

Tim

Comments

SylviaH's picture
SylviaH

If you are consuming vitamins?  My husband takes a lot of supplements because he is cyclist. He sometimes gets a mineral taste he complains of...it's from taking to many vitamins.  Also medications can do the same mineral taste in your mouth.

Sylvia 

breadbakingbassplayer's picture
breadbakingbass...

I take a fish oil/garlic supplement along with B complex, D, and fiber...  I haven't had any all weekend...

SylviaH's picture
SylviaH

Mike says his taste can get very bad and it's from the B vitamins.  I have heard anytime you have an ill taste in your mouth it comes from your stomach!

I hope it clears up for you and you can find what causing the taste.

Sylvia

breadbakingbassplayer's picture
breadbakingbass...

Hmmm...  Maybe I'll lay off the B for a few weeks to see...  Also my apt has been really dry...  It's got the always on NYC apartment building heating system...  I should try to run my humidifier more often...

The Roadside Pie King's picture
The Roadside Pi...

Your four or five strings will thank you.

Will

breadbakingbassplayer's picture
breadbakingbass...

My 6 strings too...

SylviaH's picture
SylviaH

LindyD suggest if it continues get a doctor's advice. What my husband experienced with his sports regimen may not be the same for you.  His is not your everyday vitamin routine.

LindyD's picture
LindyD

I've used lava rocks in my oven for months.  I heat my home with wood, so the air is always dry, and I take B-12 and B-6 vitamins along with a host of others, including Omega 3 fish oils.

Have experienced no mineral/metallic taste issues.

You could replace the rusted pan and see if that makes any difference.  If the mineral taste continues, though, it would be wise to seek competent medical advice.

breadbakingbassplayer's picture
breadbakingbass...

Hmmm...  I'm gonna replace that pan then...  Thanks!

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

in luke warm water just to cover for about an hour, then sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of baking soda over them and stir with a stick.  Any reaction?

LindyD has good advice there.

Mini

blackhorse16a's picture
blackhorse16a

with this test?

breadbakingbassplayer's picture
breadbakingbass...

Mini,

Yeah, Mini, are you looking for in this test?

Tim

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

but lava can vary.  If it reacts with soda, then there is something wrong with the rocks and a different batch should be used.  That is all.  It's a simple test.

Mini

Dave323's picture
Dave323

 - that's what "stainless" means. So, if there is something in the bottom of that pan, it could be something nasty, but it ain't rust ... or the pan really isn't stainless steel.

What I suspect you are seeing is the accumulated impurities left after the water evaporates, or sediment that has washed  off the lava. If you are not doing so now, you might want to clean the pan after every use.

breadbakingbassplayer's picture
breadbakingbass...

I switched out the pan with another...  The old pan was from Ikea.  It was labeled as stainless steel.  What was left on the bottom of the pan could be sediment or rust...  Even stainless steel can rust given the correct rusting conditions...  I used it for a long time without lava rocks...  The new pan is a loaf pan made of aluminum, and it fits on the rack next to the stone instead of on the oven floor...  It seems to work the same...

I'll keep you posted on the mineral taste...