Bread Making Equipment Question

[BethM55]

Almost all recipes for gluten-free bread that I see start by saying: 'Place ingredients into the bowl of your stand mixer...' I don't have a stand mixer, nor do I have funds to buy one, or a gluten-free bread machine. So. Is it possible to make my own gluten-free yeast bread without such equipment?? I do have a VitaMix, however, if that might help.

Thank you!

[Coinkey]

Almost all recipes for gluten-free bread that I see start by saying: 'Place ingredients into the bowl of your stand mixer...' I don't have a stand mixer, nor do I have funds to buy one, or a gluten-free bread machine. So. Is it possible to make my own gluten-free yeast bread without such equipment?? I do have a VitaMix, however, if that might help.

Thank you!

I'm guess that a standard bowl and electric mixer will do the trick. The only real difference with a stand mixer is that you don't have to hold it and it may have more power.

[RiceGuy]

A standard mixer generally will not be strong enough to mix bread dough. Check the manual to be sure before attempting it.

However, I've never used any sort of electric anything when making breads. I just mix by hand, with a spoon. I get consistent results too, perhaps because it's easy to feel the consistency of the dough when mixing by hand.

[BethM55]

A standard mixer generally will not be strong enough to mix bread dough. Check the manual to be sure before attempting it.

However, I've never used any sort of electric anything when making breads. I just mix by hand, with a spoon. I get consistent results too, perhaps because it's easy to feel the consistency of the dough when mixing by hand.

I've heard that said about hand mixers. Mine is so old it's avocado green. I know it wouldn't survive bread dough. Do you find that gluten-free bread dough is of a consistency that is not knead-able? I looked at a gluten-free cookbook yesterday that had a large chapter on bread making, which discussed this issue. I'd like to make my own yeast breads, but don't want to waste money (and counterspace in my kitchen!) on equipment I can do without.

When you mix your doughs with a spoon, is that an alternative to kneading?

[celiac-mommy]

Do you find that gluten-free bread dough is of a consistency that is not knead-able?

I make all of our bread. I do use a stand mixer, but the consistancy of the dough is usually like a really thick brownie batter. It's not kneadable. Maybe you could keep an eye out for a stand mixer at garage sales this summer, or you could check out craigslist to get one cheap...

[BethM55]

I make all of our bread. I do use a stand mixer, but the consistancy of the dough is usually like a really thick brownie batter. It's not kneadable. Maybe you could keep an eye out for a stand mixer at garage sales this summer, or you could check out craigslist to get one cheap...

That's a very good idea. Do you think a used mixer would be able to be cleaned adequately of gluten remnants?

[jerseyangel]

That's a very good idea. Do you think a used mixer would be able to be cleaned adequately of gluten remnants?

I second celiac-mommy's suggestion. I have a KitchenAid that I've had for over 20 years now--I used it for gluten doughs and things for a good 15 of those years and did not want to have to buy a new one since it worked like brand new.

I carefully cleaned the machine with warm, soapy water (paying special attention under the top where the attachments lock on, getting into all the nooks and crannies) and then hooked the bowl back and ran it empty for a while and then ran the bowl, attachments, and bowl cover through the dishwasher.

A few things like toasters and collanders are better replaced, but I think you're fine with a stand mixer cleaned very well.

[BethM55]

I second celiac-mommy's suggestion. I have a KitchenAid that I've had for over 20 years now--I used it for gluten doughs and things for a good 15 of those years and did not want to have to buy a new one since it worked like brand new.

I carefully cleaned the machine with warm, soapy water (paying special attention under the top where the attachments lock on, getting into all the nooks and crannies) and then hooked the bowl back and ran it empty for a while and then ran the bowl, attachments, and bowl cover through the dishwasher.

A few things like toasters and collanders are better replaced, but I think you're fine with a stand mixer cleaned very well.

Thank you. That's good to know. I cleaned my VitaMix thoroughly, and have had no glutening problems from it. I spoke with the VitaMix people, and am awaiting a response from their chef about using it to make gluten free yeast bread dough. I've used it for other gluten-free baking, but not yeast breads.

[RiceGuy]

When you mix your doughs with a spoon, is that an alternative to kneading?

Gluten-free bread dough simply doesn't require kneading. Simply mix, rise in the bread pan, then bake. The dough for the breads I bake are not like batter. Although they can be shaped, I find I get better results using a bread pan or other baking dish with sides to keep the dough from spreading outward as much as upward. In case you missed it, my most successful recipe is here.

[BethM55]

Gluten-free bread dough simply doesn't require kneading. Simply mix, rise in the bread pan, then bake. The dough for the breads I bake are not like batter. Although they can be shaped, I find I get better results using a bread pan or other baking dish with sides to keep the dough from spreading outward as much as upward. In case you missed it, my most successful recipe is here.

Thank you. Good information. That is an interesting flour mix. I'm using the pretty standard mix of brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato flour, and played with adding in sorghum, coconut, or garbanzo flour. That's for more of a quick-bread type loaf, which is quite nice in it's way, but not like a yeast bread. I've read good things about teff flour, might try that, too.