January 14, 2008 - 7:01am
Plastic or Plexiglass clear containers with covers
Does anyone know where I can find and purchase those clear containers, with tight fitting lids, in various sizes and shapes, that many bakers use for long fermenting starters and proofing dough? I've seen Nancy Silverton, Rose Levy Beranbaum and even Alton Brown, use them. They're SO much more convenient than the glass bowl and plastic wrap I always end up using.
Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
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I got mine several years ago at either Linens and Things, or Bed Breakfast and Beyond, I forget which. I'm sure they still sell these.
---Joe
I got mine at Wal-mart in the kitchen gadget section. I like them because I can put a piece of tape at the top level of the dough and measure the rise.
I think the ones you are talking about are the types I use as well. They are made by Cambro. Cambro makes both a white plastic version and a clear plexi version for the food service industry. You can find them at rest. supply houses. To save alittle money you can use the white plastic lids on the plexi versions as well. I have had them with 205'F water in them with no issues, so they can handle hot as well as cold. I do not use the white plastic version though, just the clear. Heres a photo of a 2 gallon one
TT
Lisa: The Cambro containers are very useful --I have three different sizes and use for them for many functions. Smart and Final carries some Cambro containers, if there is one near you. As mentioned, restaurant supply houses definitely carry them. Surfas, a restaurant supply in LA, where I shop has a large selection. They can be purchased online at:
https://www.surfasonline.com/productlines/50.cfm
Liz
I second Fleur's recommendation of Surfas. I've purchased all my dough rising tubs from Surfas online and I believe when I originally researched where to find these they had the best prices as well. Just be sure you note that you have to buy the lids separately. I was not able to find these at my local restaurant supply houses. I might add Surfas have really great customer service with super fast shipping so I can highly recommend buying from them online.
Zolablue: Come and visit and we'll go shopping at Surfas! If you think it's wonderful online, you should see what it's like in person! I was there over the holidays with a friend -- I turn into a blithering idiot as I get so excited by all their merchandise. In addition to having hard to find items, their pricing is excellent. It's a bit of drive for me, but so worth it as they have such a great selection. It is, indeed, a cook's paradise as they also carry some gourmet food items. I'm breathing heavily just thinking about it.
Nice to hear that they are as helpful online as in person.
Thanks so much for all your replies and ideas! The Cambro is exactly what I'm looking for. One question, though. In your opinions, what's the best size to get? I'm a home baker, so I'm thinking 4 of them from 2 to 6 qt?
Hey, you're out there in sunny CA soaking up the sun (what's that) while I'm here in the good ole Midwest freezing my you-know-what off! Oh, I'm sooooo tired of this winter! Don't tempt me too much - hey, you've already corrupted me with the Pain de Campagne so what the heck!
I have heard before that it is a wonderful store. I'm sure I would go nuts. I don't know how it compares to Sur la Table or Williams Sonoma but I love both those stores especially our Sur la Table just because it is bigger. I imagine Surfas is huge and has a ton more stuff. Just letting my imagination go wild here. I'd never get out of that place, I'm sure! My heart is beating faster just thinking about it. :o)
Sam's has the Rubbermaid brand clear food containers...just thought I would put my two cents in. It may be more convenient for you.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/search.do?searchtype=simple&catg=3721&simplesearchfor=rubbermaid+food+container&simpleitemtype=0&x=0&y=0
-Chad
Thanks, Chad, but I already ordered 3 Cambros from Surfas. One 2 qt, One 4 qt, and One 6 qt. :)
Lisa: Those three sizes will work well for bread baking. I use mine all the time.
Liz
I agree, and thanks so much for letting me know about them. I got the 6 QT as an extra, thinking I could store a 5lb bag of bleached flour in it. I have about a dozen Rubbermaid canisters that I store all of my flours in (unbleached, bread, whole wheat, 00, semolina, rye, cake, pastry, self-rising ad infinitum.. lol), but I think they stopped making the kind I like, and the QT amount on the bottoms must of rubbed off from washings. I'm hoping it fits! :) Naturally, the other two will be used for starters and proofings.
Those are all great sizes and I bet you'll find just how wonderful it is to have the 6-quart size for fermenting dough. I ordered that size on a whim thinking it might be huge and that I would find some use for it but quickly found that I really needed it for fermenting certain recipes that use a heavier dough and now use it the most often. Then when I got my DLX and could mix larger quanities of dough I was very grateful to have it.
I loved those containers so much I ordered a second time and also got a couple 1-quart sizes (in addition to another 6-quart). Those smaller sizes (1 and 2-qt) are very useful for fermenting poolishes and levains overnight. So I think you need all those sizes!