The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Couche in NY

leahweinberg's picture
leahweinberg

Couche in NY

Hey bread bakers!

I'm in New York at the moment and am looking for a couche. Does anyone know where I can find one for a good price?

Thanks! Leah

ps- or in Toronto...

GAPOMA's picture
GAPOMA

Leah,

I can't answer your question directly, but thought this might be useful.

I use a "couche" for my ciabatta loaves, but I just use parchment paper.  I place a long piece of parchment paper on an upsidedown cookie sheet.  I place two loaves on it, separated by about 8".  I then pull up the center to separate the loaves, and put rolled up hand towels on the ends (under the paper) to keep the loaves from moving laterally.  This works great, as the parchment can then go directly into the oven!

- Greg

LindyD's picture
LindyD

1-866-266-5927.  They may have one.  Better yet, why not just go down to the Chelsea Food Market - the Bowery Kitchen Supply is down there.  You could also stop in at the Food Network offices and see if anyone there can help you.

 

JIP's picture
JIP

 

 

SFBI http://www.sfbi.com/ the San Francisco Baking institute has great prices and the money goes to a good cause.

mattie405's picture
mattie405

I bought mine at Zabar's, Broadway at 80th street, call 212-787-2004, leave your wallet at home tho.......the second floor is a cooks paradise. I remember the 2 I have were under $30. Have fun and take your time in there to look in every nook and cranny, you will find all kinds of treasures.

alabubba's picture
alabubba

I bought a yard of "Duck" at my local fabric store for about 6 bucks. Its a heavy canvas.

leahweinberg's picture
leahweinberg

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! 

Any idea how I can prep a new piece of linen before I bake with it?

Thanks! Leah  

mattie405's picture
mattie405

You will want to finish the raw edges before you wash it, and you will want to wash it to remove the chemical finishes they put on it. If you have access to a serger (or a friend who sews) you can just serge off the ends. If you don't have that access but know someone with a regular sewing machine a small hem at the ends would take care of it. If you can't do any of these things and have a local dry cleaners/alterations shop they would charge you a small amount to do this for you. When you wash the fabric do it in a very mild soap and rinse it several times with clear water, do NOT use any softeners, also wash it in as hot of water as you can to shrink the fibres together and make them tighter, dry it on high heat, again with no fabric softener sheets. After doing this you are all set to use it.

leahweinberg's picture
leahweinberg

thank you so much for the detailed instructions! This sounds great- I hope to get to the fabric store soon, and try this out! 

 

Leah