April 4, 2019 - 9:47am
Hand mixing/kneading.....?
Kind of a silly question but does anyone else LOVE to hand mix and hand knead their bread?
I've been baking bread for years and have been offered 'gadgets' to make the process easier--I am just not interested. I love the old-fashioned slow process of 'doing it by hand'. Am I an odd-ball?
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i love the feel of the dough and the extra information you get from the texture and temperature of the dough. I also roast my own coffee beans where you listen to the beans and go but smell and the snap. It’s back to nature.
I have a KA mixer but I use it maybe 50% of the time. I do thourally enjoy kneeling by hand as well... Flour on the counter and under the nails is a sign of a life well lived...
I've heard lots of people say they prefer to work their dough by hand, that it's exhilarating or therapeutic or more fun or does a better job - or some combination of those.
And I've also heard "I'm so glad I finally got a good mixer - good riddance to unnecessary difficulty!"
As long as those who prefer to work by hand are happy and able to do it, and as long as those who prefer a machine have a machine that does the job properly and easily, I say "Yay for everybody!" ?
hi,
i have not used my KA for a long time nor have I done much push with the heel of your hand type kneading. Rubard method treats the dough beautifully but does require some strength ... may have to give it up someday.
I like to knead by hand...but find it is harder for my old hands...so IF I do use a machine I like to take out and do a little final kneading by hand. I kneading all my family doughs till 2001 when I found a non working KA mixer at a garage sale. For 2 dollars I let my sons tear it apart and fix it for me. Nice to have for some doughs or for teaching new family bakers.
As time goes on...I just let time do the work for me then I just finish it by hand if needed.