Where to find bulk supplies: Linen Bannenton / Couche / Lame

Hi Lalush,

You can buy couche material by the yard at SFBI http://www.sfbi.com/linen_canvas_couche.html. It's probably not as cheap as you are used to, but still reasonable.  Bannetons are another matter.  They tend to be expensive here in the U.S.  I have bought them from here and here.

Brad

I have not found baker's linen for less than from SFBI. If you are opening a bakery, a relationship with TMB, the bakery supply arm of SFBI would be good to establish. They have a very comprehensive catalogue, only a fraction of which is on their web site.

David

I was under the impression that couche material was simply a finely-woven heavy-weight linen that ultimately became well-floured through use.  Wouldn't it be possible to purchase the appropriate weight material from a fabric supplier and cut it into managable pieces?  One trip through the wash would remove any sizing or finishing that had been applied, you'd be able to custom-cut the fabric to your specific wishes, and it would be a whole lot cheaper.  Perhaps I'm mistaken about the fabric and would appreciate being told the difference.

Philip

for the explanation about the linen.  Never thought about having to iron it flat.

Philip

You might want to buy raw, uncoated canvas (=linen) from an art supplies store. That is what I did and I got a piece of 1m x 3m for about 24 euros. 

*newSubmitted by Frazestart on February 6, 2012 - 8:37pm.To which forums can a new (amateur) member contribute?   Hi, I'm a new member,  who has been reading TFL for several weeks. Today I saw a question I could answer on the "professional" side, so I registered to do so. It was to no avail as it ended up telling me I didn't have access to the page. In case someone reading this does, I was trying to reply to the person looking for where to buy material for couches for a new bakery at reasonable prices.  If someone would like to relay the information to the original poster: This site has a number of options  in materials, i.e., untreated linen, treated linens and even a synthetic fabric that doesn't require ironing after washing: http://www.meilleurduchef.com/cgi/mdc/l/fr/boutique/produits/toile_couche/index.html . The prices don't look bad and, if outside Europe, you get to subtract the 19.6% tax. I have no idea of shipping charges... Thanks!

A very suitable substitute, and cheap, is a cotten drop cloth from your local hardware store. Wash it, cut it to size, run a serger around the edge, and you're set.

Now, go to a $1.00 store and buy up a bunch of cheap, plastic colanders. 30 plastic colanders or 1 woven basket? Do the math.

I run a small bake shop and that's one of the places I saved a good deal of cash. Sure, woven bannetons look really nice, but a colander lined with cloth accomplishes the exact same purpose.

Katom.com has woven polypropylene baskets for in various sizes for $1-$10.  I am about to place an order myself.  Check out:

http://www.katom.com/229-M2474.html - Handwoven Ridal Collection Basket, 9-1/4" x 6-1/4" x 3-1/4", oval, black, polypropylene, heavy solid cord $38/dozen.  

I was lucky in that my mother-in-law was a seamstress and cook and when she passed there were yards of usable material here at the house. As for baskets I buy plastic woven baskets in different sizes from the Filipino Market near my house for anywhere between 69 cents to $1.50 ea depending on the size and they work just fine.

Go to Wal-Mart or Micheals or somewhere similar, check out thier fabric section and ask them for linen. I spent less than 10 dollars for one or two square yards worth. 

Linen is linen, just cut it yourself. 

This is what I use:

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3581-AA.shtml

You do need to zig-zag the edges to keep it from fraying, but it is incredibly soft and drapes beautifully.

Note that the raw stock is 60" wide so you can make it into two (or three) very easily.

And it is pretty cheap (~$1/sq ft)

Hello Lalush,

I own a company that makes specialty wooden lames. You can see photos of them on my amazon shop here: Black Walnut Lame or here at: Bamboo Lame

I designed these lames to be unique. The others available on the market did not appeal to the artistic nature of bread baking. These are also designed to receive any type of flat razor blade. This means you can even use triangular or square ex-acto blades if regular double edged lame razors are unavailable. 

These lames feature brass thumbnuts for quick and easy razor replacement and to ensure a firm blade grip. They are available in several wood varieties including, black walnut, maple, brazilian beech, and white oak.

We also have large medium weight couches 22"x60" and small 20" square proofing cloths, and we will have them listed soon in heavyweight linen. They will be viewable in our shop here: www.amazon.com/shops/primalkitchen

 If you have further questions, or would like prices for bulk orders please let me know.  

 Thank you.

Wyllis Greenway.

http://www.northwestsourdough.com/store/bakingstore