The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

gift for niece

baker_team's picture
baker_team

gift for niece

Hello,

I have been encouraging my niece to cook home cooked meals a lot over the last year or so. I bought her a complete kitchen make over set for her studio including Staub, Demerye and Mauviel cookware among others. She has been doing very well and I have been thoroughly enjoying her creations in the kitchen.

Now, I would like to purchase a complete set of equipment for her to become the best baker that she can be. She is a great cook, but she doesn't have much experience at baking. I have been hesitant to make this foray into baking because even though she is interested, she usually has me taste her food and I can handle sweets. I like them, but my body doesn't react well to them. I can do some breads though in small amounts, maybe.

Of all the equipment I bought her three years ago, she hasn't used the Mauviel copper sauce pan and Kitchenaid Pro mixer. Despite this, I would like to buy her a grain mill to make homemade flours such as all-purpose flour (if that possible), cornmeal, grits, etc.

I was thinking of going with the Komomill Classic from Pleasant Hill, since that mill has excellent reviews here. I guess my question for you all is are there any other essential accessories (or even other major pieces of equipment) that I should buy her at the same time I buy the Komomill before I present this gift to her? Cost is not really an issue, I'd just like to get her high quality, made in USA (or some western nation) cookware, whatever she needs to be able to bake anything. 

Thank you!

dbazuin's picture
dbazuin

Wil you please adopted me :-)

 

I defently recommand the Brod&taylor folding prroofer. 

One of the best bread baking tools I have. 

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

A grain mill is a great tool, and there are many here that would love such a gift,  since the flour tastes better than store bought.  However, it is not really possible to make all purpose flour with a home mill, you need specialized equipment to do that.   The normal trajectory is for someone to start baking bread using store bought flour, and sometimes a bread machine or a no knead loaf, then over time, starting to switch from bread baked in pans ,  to free form  loaves,  then switching from commercial yeast to sourdough starter AKA wild yeast,  then switching to home milled flours, typically white or red whole wheat.   So if she is not into baking bread at all,  you may be throwing her into the deep end, and it may sit unused.     A friend turned me on to home milling many years ago, and I am a zealot about milling, I almost never buy flour at a store,  and never buy bread,  since home milled tastes so much better to me.   OTOH,  your goals for her may be a little too high since home milled wheat is a bit tougher to learn how to bake with.     

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

I'm with Barry.  Let her grow into it by steps.

Better yet, if you live close, YOU make some bread, give her some, and that way tempt her into making her own bread. It has to be her decision, and her choice.   Or, make bread with her next time she comes to visit you.

Also, there is Female Kitchen Psychology to consider.  You are treading on dangerous territory when you try to tell a woman how to run her kitchen, and what equipment she should have.  I learned that the hard way.

baker_team's picture
baker_team

Sorry for the late follow-up. Work has been quite busy.

For a bit of an update, I just found out about the Mockmill Lino 200, Mockmill Professional 200 and Royal Lee. Now, I'm not sure which mill to get her. The difference between the Lino and Professional above mostly seem to be a more robust machine (better components) and not needing to cool down the flour. Compared with Komomill however, the differences are pronounced and I've seen other threads here discuss this already. Basically, it boils down to power (375W vs 600W) which benefits the Mockmill not in speed but the ability to produce a more fine flour than the Komomill and ease of disassembly for cleaning (Komomill - easy, Mockmill - not as easy).

For the Royal Lee, this may take care of the issue that Barry brought about getting used to home milling when one is only accustomed to store bought flour. The flour the Royal Lee produces is supposedly the same as (or nearly the same as) store bought flour. The tradeoffs would be this mill is slow and the temperature of the flour is said to be higher than all other mills. I'm not sure either of these limitations would be a problem for my niece since she will be milling at home to make bread/pastries for a small number of people (1-3 people) every so often.

Question #1. What are your thoughts on which mill to get from the above four mills?

Regarding the Brod & Taylor folding proofer, I found a link to a list of essential baking tools:

https://modernistcuisine.com/tag/baking-tools/

Question #2. Is the folder proofer recommendation supposed to replace the number 2 item on the list in the link above, Baskets?

Question #3. Would you say this list is complete regarding the extras that I need to ensure my niece has?

Thank you.

Regarding the comments about her going slow in learning how to bake bread, IIRC, she should be starting an introductory baking class soon, so hopefully they can teach all she needs to know.

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

In an _introductory_  bread-making class, I believe they will not be covering how to mill flour at home, nor how to bake with home-milled flour (it's different), nor how to choose what wheat to buy, and how to store it. Those would be considered advanced topics.

Q#2: Baskets/bannetons are still needed when you have a proofer.

--

I still think you are "putting the cart before the horse".   If you respect your niece, please let her choose the equipment before you buy things.  She may have other priorities.  

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Question #1. What are your thoughts on which mill to get from the above three mills?

I think she would do fine with any of the 3. I have a Komo, and it works fine, had a Nutrimill Harvest, which is very similar to the Komo and the Mockmill.  All 3 work the same way,  cleaning is not required all that regularly, and the power is not that big a deal in that at worst, it will take a little longer to mill.  I would save your money and buy the Mockmill 200 if that is much cheaper than the others. Spend some of the savings on the Fourneau or Challenger listed below.

Regarding the Brod & Taylor folding proofer, I found a link to a list of essential baking tools:

https://modernistcuisine.com/tag/baking-tools/

Question #2. Is the folder proofer recommendation supposed to replace the number 2 item on the list in the link above, Baskets?

I am not a big fan of that list, but the proofer does not replace number 2 baskets.   A proofer is used to keep a constant temperature ( warmer than room temperature ) usually while the dough is in bulk fermentation, which is typically done in a plastic or glass container.  Once bulk fermentation is over, dough is divided ( if BF included enough dough for more than one loaf), then shaped, then put in a separate container for final proof.  A basket or couche in often used for final proof.  While it is common to use a retarder for final proof  ( a wine cooler works great for this ) I don't know many who final proof in a proofer. Many people bake lots of loaves and never use a proofer. To me, a proofer would be a luxury, though there may be some who disagree.

Instead, I think you would do well to get her some berries to start grinding -  25 lbs of Hard White and 25 pounds of Hard Red would be a good start, though you might want to add some others like Kamut.

She may also benefit from sourdough -   https://sourdo.com/cultures/    I like the Original San Francisco, but she may like the France culture as well, 

Spend some of the proofer money towards the Fourneau or Challenger. 

 

 

Question #3. Would you say this list is complete regarding the extras that I need to ensure my niece has?

If she is making free form loaves, like a batard or baguettes ,  she would appreciate a couche,  https://www.sfbi.com/baking-supplies/linen-canvas-couche  a peel  https://smile.amazon.com/EXO-Non-Stick-Super-Peel-Composite/dp/B00CLS8LLE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=super+peel&qid=1597190619&s=home-garden&sr=1-1, a pizza stone or steel, a scraper, a mixer, and a digital scale  https://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-KD-7000-Kitchen-Digital/dp/B01G4EI5DE/ref=asc_df_B01G4EI5DE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=225339663785&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8152129876346014427&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008533&hvtargid=pla-368600719899&psc=1

If she wanted to make boules, she would not need the couche or stone, but would want baskets and a combo cooker and a set of oven safe gloves.   

She would not need the baking pan unless she wanted to make quick breads, like banana bread. While a few suggest a thermometer is handy, many others suggest that temperature does not tell you that bread it done, so that is definitely not necessary.  A timer and a lame are both helpful and pretty inexpensive.   A serrated knife for cutting bread is very helpful  - this one is pretty popular. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PS1HS6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 I don't anyone that has a bench brush, while modernist bread is probably a fine book, extremely few bakers have it. 

If she is making boules in the combo cooker, she likely will not need a source of steam, since the combo cooker traps in the steam.  If you expect her to bake baguettes or batards, a closed container that traps moisture would be helpful .  One option is the fourneau  https://www.fourneauoven.com/  ,  or the Challenger Bread Pan  https://challengerbreadware.com/product/challenger-bread-pan/     both are quite expensive, and she would only need one,  but she would use it with nearly every bake,  in contrast, she may use the proofer for only a few types of bread. 

Hope she appreciates your gifts,  what ever you get her, and you can always buy some now, and once she has spent some time baking, she may tell you that there are some things she needs  ( like a retarder, or a proofer ) rather than buying things she may never need.  It is like buying her a car - if she wants it to transport one or two people, a sports car might work, if she is regularly transporting 4, a sedan, if she needs to move lots of kids and their things, a minivan, if she wants to go off road, a 4 wheel drive may make sense.  There are many different paths in baking, it is hard to predict which one she will pursue, so don't try to outfit everything.  Many start with a bread machine, a set of measuring cups, and store bought flour and yeast and are quite happy with the results.  

baker_team's picture
baker_team

I was searching the forums after I posted the above comment and I just saw information about the Royal Lee mill as well. So, I edited my above comment to reflect the new discovery.

I didn't expect a response so fast, so I will just re-paste below what I typed above :

For the Royal Lee, this may take care of the issue that Barry brought about getting used to home milling when one is only accustomed to store bought flour. The flour the Royal Lee produces is supposedly the same as (or nearly the same as) store bought flour. The tradeoffs would be this mill is slow and the temperature of the flour is said to be higher than all other mills. I'm not sure either of these limitations would be a problem for my niece since she will be milling at home to make bread/pastries for a small number of people (1-3 people) every so often.

I will now read the posts above and reply to them. Thank you.

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

"The flour the Royal Lee produces is supposedly the same as (or nearly the same as) store bought flour."

That's just marketing BS. It is not true in any practical sense.  Fresh-milled is much better, and needs to be handled differently.

It may be able to replicate a fine grind (particle size) of commercial whole grain flour, but it is the _freshness_ of home-milled flour that makes the big difference.  And it is more than just about taste.

Store-bought whole grain flour has sat around warehouses and grocery store shelves for months, and volatile parts of the natural oil in the bran and germ evaporate, and the flour otherwise ages, and the enzymes usually degrade too. This alone dictates different handling.  Recipes/methods must be modified. 

The challenges of switching from store-bought whole grain flour to fresh-milled whole grain flour, are common questions on this web site.

It is also possible/likely that an introductory bread class won't even delve into whole grain flour. 

I admire your desire to be generous to your niece.  But, please let her take small steps first. Hold back on the grain mill until she gets her feet wet.

Barry also has good advice. Let her determine which styles or methods of bread making to pursue, and then help her after she decides what she wants.

If by "studio" you meant "studio apartment" she will be short on space for all the equipment you want to shower her with.

She is blessed to have such a generous benefactor!

 

ciabatta's picture
ciabatta

I think the Challenger Bread Pan would make a nice alternative gift.  it is a splurge gift that will help her be the best baker she can be, more so than a grain mill in my opinion.   i'm fairly experienced at making bread. but if i were given a grain mill. it's going to set my baking skills back at least half a year. not to mention all the extra time it's going to add to the process.

Maybe add to that a flour Sampler from Bluebird Grain Farms (or their monthly flour CSA Share 'subscriptions' ) to see which grains she prefers.

best wishes to her baking journey!

james

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

I have the earlier version of the Lee, and while it does make a very fine flour, as Dave says, that flour is not the same as store bought flour.  While the taste is far superior, IMO,  Dave is correct that baking with 100% home milled flour is quite challenging.  If you do go with a mill as a gift, your niece may be better off starting with a mix of 25% or slightly more home milled, and the rest AP or Bread Flour.  

baker_team's picture
baker_team

@idaveindy

I still think you are "putting the cart before the horse".   If you respect your niece, please let her choose the equipment before you buy things.  She may have other priorities. 

I try my best to spoil her as the male/female dynamics within my family are skewed and there is much more attention given to the boys. Times are changing and I’ve always emphasized to her that she can do what she wants with my support 100%. Now, of course, she doesn’t ask for help and tries to do everything herself, naturally. This is why I take the initiative on these things. Besides, I don’t know how much longer I’ll have my senses and I’m just as stubborn as she is. I would hope she takes care of me in the same manner as I look after her despite my objections whenever that time comes.

That's just marketing BS. It is not true in any practical sense.

To be clear, I was referring to reviews I've seen on this very forum and other reviews on different websites comparing the Royal Lee with other mills.

======================================================

@barryvabeach

Cost isn’t a big issue for me in selecting her grain mill. With that said, would you still just recommend the Mockmill 200 over the Royal Lee and Komomill? Also, are you referring to the new Mockmill Lino or the older all plastic Mockmill?

Instead, I think you would do well to get her some berries to start grinding -  25 lbs of Hard White and 25 pounds of Hard Red would be a good start, though you might want to add some others like Kamut.

In a bit, I’m going to start searching out farms where I can purchase berries as soon as they are harvested to have them sent here to Hawaii.

Regarding some of the supplies you mentioned:

1. couce

^ She will probably only be making one loaf of bread at a time, so I’m not sure she will need this?

2. peel, pizza stone or steel, a scraper, a mixer, and a digital scale

Hmm, I didn’t know she would need a peel for bread making. Here is what I had in mind regarding your above list:

- pizza oven (not totally sure just yet on this one since it would require her to find a place to store a propane tank outside of her room)

https://ooni.com/collections/shop-all/products/ooni-koda

- pizza stone

https://fallsculinary.com/product/5-piece-dough-joe-pizza-and-baking-stone-set/

^ I’m hoping this is a good product since it is Made in USA and I think this is the same material of the baking stone that you have (I read your post in the "Cordierite vs Fibrament baking stone" thread). I have sent the owner an email about making a stone specifically for my niece as the sizes he has listed are too big for her situation. In her studio, she uses a Breville oven Air that has an inner cavity dimension of 16 in x 13.5 in x 7 in.

- peel (supposedly 100% made in Italy)

https://gimetalusa.com/product/aluminum-rectangular-perforated-pizza-peel

- scraper

https://gimetalusa.com/product/flexible-scraper

- mixer

^ I already bought her a KitchenAid Pro Line 7 qt. stand mixer ~2 years ago and it is still working fine as far as I know.

- digital scale

^ Along with the stand mixer, I also bought her a MyWeigh KD-8000 digital mixer.

3. baskets/bannetons

^ I still searching online to find the best baskets/bannetons that most bakers recommend (and hopefully made in USA or Europe).

4. combo cooker

^ I bought her the Smithey No. 10 cast iron skillet with the other items above, and I see that they now have a combo cooker, but it is for the No. 12 skillet not the No. 10 skillet like she has.

https://smithey.com/collections/ironware/products/no-12-flat-top-griddle

But I have sent them an email to inquire when/if they will make a No. 10 version.

Others:

- baking pan

I bought her a small Pyrex baking pan that she has made banana bread in. I also bought her this deep casserole that I was thinking she could potentially bake bread in:

https://www.yvonne-estelles.com/products/pillivuyt-ulysses-flame-proof-775-inch-deep-casserole

Although, I also made sure to buy her a Staub coquette enameled dutch oven that would probably be a better option, but it just barely doesn’t fit in her Breville Air oven. If I remove the lid cap, then it will fit, but I’m not sure if that will affect her baking. I asked about this on Chowhound and they said it should be fine so I may suggest that to her in addition to using the deep casserole to bake with. What do you all think about these two options?

- timer

I was thinking she could just yet the timer on her phone/laptop?

- lame

This is an interesting tool. The brand below seems popular, but I may hold off on this for a while since it doesn’t seem to be something you buy and forget about:

https://www.mure-peyrot.com/categorie/boulangerie/

- serrated bread knife

I’m thinking about this knife:

https://lamsonproducts.com/collections/bread-knives-1/products/8-serrated-bread-knife?variant=36114822926

- Modernist Bread

I already bought this soon after it was released. I got her Modernist Cuisine as well. I honestly haven’t really had a chance to look at Modernist Bread since I gifted the set to her, but Modernist Cuisine was a bit frustrating. Everything was aimed at professional chefs, so I had to buy her the “Modernist Cuisine at Home” version so she could more readily follow along with book.

If you expect her to bake baguettes or batards, a closed container that traps moisture would be helpful .  One option is the fourneau  https://www.fourneauoven.com/  ,  or the Challenger Bread Pan  https://challengerbreadware.com/product/challenger-bread-pan/ 

^ Unfortunately, I don’t think either of these will fit in her Breville Air. The dimension issues are:

Breville Air  16” x 13.5” x 7”  

Fourneau    16" x 10" x 9"

Challenger  15” x 10.2” x 5.4”

The Challenger seems like it would be close, so I may just ask around if anyone who has a Challenger and a Breville Air can share their experience.

======================================================

@idaveindy

If by "studio" you meant "studio apartment" she will be short on space for all the equipment you want to shower her with.

Tell me about it. You know, I offered to put down ~420K cash towards the purchase of a SF home for her here since I know how difficult the housing situation is. No obligation, no repayment or anything (I would just buy it outright if my brother allowed me to). She flat out refused. So, if she doesn’t have space, then she’ll figure something out.

======================================================

@ciabatta

I’ve seen the website of Bluebird Grain Farms before, but do you know if they include the date of harvest on their berries? I'd like to order the berries as fresh as possible.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Okay,  lots of great questions,  I will take a stab

Mill -  yes plastic Mockmill.  The nicer looking mills are supposed to be kept on the counter.  I mill more than most here  ( I only use 100% home milled for bread, quick breads, pizza, and pasta ) and even I can't justify keeping it on the counter ) So get plastic, it will be lighter, and she definitely won't be using it it every day.

Couche -  can be used for one or multiple batard or baquettes, it will take up less space than a basket - banneton.  Not ideal for boule -  round shaped loaf, but could work to line a collander to final proof for a boule.

Peel -  helpful for batards or baquettes, to take it from the couche and deliver it to the pizza stone.  No absolutely needed -  a pizza peel is actually not ideal,  instead a transfer board would be helpful https://www.amazon.com/Baguette-Transfer-Flipping-Industrial-professional/dp/B07HNL7M5X/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=baguette+board&qid=1597451199&s=home-garden&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNDhCRFFQSVBOVVVOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjI0NTEyMVZTNEVKVUNNQTRWUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDIxMzEyMVA4Mjg1SkZRVk8zUiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=  again, it depends on what shapes she would like to make.

Pizza Stone -  not needed if she is going to use the Challenger, or combo cooker.  Can be helpful if she is cooking in her Breville Air oven - though frankly, that may be a big challenge -  if the upper element comes on, that will make it difficult to avoid burning the top of the loaf.  Does she have a regular oven as well as the countertop one?   The biggest impact on her loaves will come not from the tools used to mix or proof the dough, but the cooking environment.  An enclosed cooking vessel - Challenger, Dutch Oven, etc, will have a much greater impact than the other things on the list.

Casserole dIsh -  when we talk about bread, we normally refer to breads either baked free form - baguettes,  batards, boules, or sometimes in pans - like sandwich loafs. In general, glass is not a great medium.  The Dutch Oven ( DO ) would be fine, except that the primary reason we use a DO  ( like the combo cooker ) is to keep the lid on for the first part of baking to keep the loaf moist and allow it to expand - called oven spring.  Part way through we take off the lid and let the crust form and brown. So the DO will not be of much help with the top off. Likewise, the casserole would be fine for a boule - though you would need a tight sealing top to keep in the moisture - which is why we like the cast iron DO or combo cooker. 

Timer -  agreed she can use her phone - it just helps to have an alarm to remind her to check the oven to see if the bread is done.

Lame - again not necessary -  some just use a sharp knife -  this is a very nice lame as well https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B079G7WC79/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bread Knife -  I am not familiar with the one you posted, though I would like at least a 10 inch knife.

Challenger -  she will definitely want an enclosed cooking chamber -  note that ideally it fits with room around it,  since part way through cooking she will need to open the oven door and take off the lid.

Berries, while you addressed it to Ciabatta,  I don't think there would be an objection to me responding.  If they are stored in an airtight container away from light, they can last years.  If she decides she likes to use home milled grain,  plastic food storage containers ( 5 gallons is a popular size ) and gamma lids https://smile.amazon.com/Gamma-Vittles-Stackable-Airtight-Container/dp/B007KAY4S2/ref=sr_1_2?_encoding=UTF8&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-a0047-win10-other-smile-us000-gatwy-feature-SEARC&dchild=1&keywords=gamma+lid&qid=1597452537&sr=8-2&tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20 are a good choice for storage.  

If she has not attending the baking class yet,  an online class may be a good way to get her started so that she gets the most from the class.   I found this pretty  helpful  https://shop.mybluprint.com/baking/classes/artisan-bread-making/35515  While some think this book is a little to professional oriented, many of us consider it to be the bible  https://smile.amazon.com/Bread-Bakers-Book-Techniques-Recipes/dp/1118132718/ref=sr_1_1?_encoding=UTF8&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-a0047-win10-other-smile-us000-gatwy-feature-SEARC&dchild=1&keywords=bread+jeffrey&qid=1597452692&sr=8-1&tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20

I think I hit each of the issues -  you also mentioned pizza oven, though I did not suggest that.  The Ooni is good for pizza, though not helpful for bread.   And don't forget oven safe gloves -  These are the ones I have https://smile.amazon.com/Grill-Armor-Resistant-Waterproof-Gloves/dp/B078WDR6DR/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=oven+safe+gloves&qid=1597452926&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWFRDUlQwUFRTUVNRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDQ4MDg4MkFWQjEwWDBGVjA2SyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzY1MDA0MzRTNVo4VUFaUlVRUSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=  there are some downsides to them, but they are the most heat resistant I can find,  you can pick up a 500 degree cast iron skillet and your hands will not feel like it is even hot.  

Any more questions,  fire away. 

 

baker_team's picture
baker_team

follow-up

Thank you, Barry, for the reply!

Mill -  yes plastic Mockmill

The plastic Mockmill is not very aesthetically pleasing to me, but just to confirm one more time, you advice this mill over the Royal Lee even though price is no problem for me and I’m only concerned about the best performing mill?

For couche, ok, I’ll pick up one since it’s important and cheap. I found this combo (couche and lame) that seems to be made in USA/France. I’m guessing the smallest size is what she should get as a beginner?

https://www.brotform.com/collections/bakers-couche

So the DO will not be of much help with the top off.

To clarify, this is referring to the lid knobs that are used to lift the lid with:

https://www.staub-online.com/uk/en/series/accessories/lid_accessories.html#product1

Some users on Chowhound mentioned that the DO should work just the same without the know if I put some aluminum foil (or something) in the hole opening. Do you agree with this?

Thank you for the book links. I suppose I could post questions here regarding the Bread Bakers Bible book if we run into problems understanding it (I’m going to try to help out in the regard as much as I can).

I will look into those gloves, but I really do not like purchasing from Amazon if I can avoid it.


Normal
0




false
false
false

EN-US
ZH-CN
AR-SA


















































































































































































































































































































































































































/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

baker_team's picture
baker_team

I'm not sure what's wrong with the formatting of this post. I've tried to edit it multiple times, but it will not take.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

On the dutch oven,  my point was that it is used with the top on for the first part of baking to trap steam and encourage oven spring.  You said that you thought it would fit, but only without the top.  So if she uses it without the top, she won't get the primary benefit of the DO. I am not sure about the aluminum foil idea, but if the question is can you remove the knob - which may not be heat safe, and use aluminum foil to seal the top - that might work ,  but I think it would make removing the top partway through cooking much more difficult.

As to the gloves,  you could always buy welders gloves.   

On the couche and lame -  I just looked at the page briefly, but that should be fine.

On the Mockmill, yes,  plastic is fine, unless she has tons of counter space, it will spend most of its time in a cabinet, and will take up less space than the Royal Lee.  

 

Hope she enjoys her gifts. 

baker_team's picture
baker_team

I've decided to settle with the Mockmill 200 after reading more about it. We can upgrade in a few years if needed. By the way, the casing for the Mockmill is actually a type of wood colloquially referred to as 'liquid wood' and technically called Arboblend. Thank you for the recommendation. 

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Mockmill 200 is a good choice and will work fine as well.  

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

Baker_team:  Is your family originally from India?

I'm unclear where you are now, Hawaii or SF (San Francisco) ?