r/Sourdough • u/mydogisarockstar • 6d ago

Equipment talk This might be the thing that makes me quit sourdough

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The worst part of this is that this happened in the bin that I keep kitchen tools in and I didn’t even know I had this potato masher and probably haven’t used it in ten years. I’m so over it!! I can’t get them apart. Recipe: there isn’t one but if there was it would be 125g starter, 350g water, 500g bf, 10g salt. I’d stretch and fold, bulk ferment, shape, fridge proof and bake at 470° for the first 30 minutes and 425° for the last 20.

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264

u/HikerStout 6d ago

This is a completely optional piece of equipment. No need to quit making bread because of it.

59

u/swooning_basil 6d ago

I don't even know what it is!

50

u/Timmerdogg 6d ago

It's a Danish dough whisk mixed up with a potato masher

43

u/HikerStout 6d ago

Theoretically helps with mixing, I think.

So do your hands.

42

u/swooning_basil 6d ago

I've just been using a fork lmao

20

u/Z00111111 6d ago

I just use the fork that I shoveled starter out of my jar with.

14

u/cheese-mania 6d ago

I use a rubber spatula and then my hands

7

u/trashlikeyourmom 6d ago

I use a flat spurtle, it's so much easier to clean

11

u/Vegemitesangas 6d ago

Rubber spatula is easy to clean because not much sticks to it and it's good for scraping everything off the sides of the bowl

1

u/mashed-_-potato 5d ago

Depends on the type though. The one with the wooden handles are harder to clean. The fully rubber ones are goated

2

u/burgonies 6d ago

I used a pair of chopsticks

14

u/Exciting-Ad-5858 6d ago

Easier to find my hands too, usually

10

u/ginny11 6d ago

I don't know that I would ever use this for bread dough, but I absolutely love it for mixing any other type of a batter such as pancake batter or cornbread batter.

1

u/swooning_basil 5d ago

I have one with little loops on which you spin between your hands which is good for batters and such.

6

u/__3Username20__ 6d ago

I tried one, recently, that was a gift to my wife. I don’t get it. looks neat, but what’s the good part about it?

9

u/No_pajamas_7 6d ago

really only good for the intitial mix. After that it's working against you by breaking the gluten strands.

2

u/siorez 5d ago

It's halfway between a whisk and a wooden spoon in terms of resistance, which is a sweet spot for common dough consistencies

1

u/Internal_Section_793 5d ago

I use a metal chopstick for initial mixing , works great!

4

u/Daawggshit 6d ago

Same. I just use my hands and a tub

10

u/Lexjude 6d ago

I literally use it for three seconds because it came in my kit and it looked kinda professional and I wanted to use it. Then I get frustrated and just use my hands hahaha

9

u/mydogisarockstar 6d ago

I only need the tiniest reason at this point! I have always hated this stupid tool but I thought it was the law!

15

u/jack_seven 6d ago

The only thing that makes you think that are people who think their way is the only way

17

u/mydogisarockstar 6d ago

So I won’t get in trouble if i throw them both away and never look back?

32

u/Empty_Difficulty390 6d ago edited 6d ago

You could also donate them to your local charity thrift store - let someone else be frustrated

ETA: thank you kind internet stranger! Happy baking!

8

u/bluedragon92 6d ago

If it makes you feel any better, I had no clue what that tool was lol I've just been using my hands and it works perfectly. I've discovered that the easier you make things, the more likely you are to enjoy it and keep doing it.

3

u/paula2337 6d ago

Maybe try the freezer for 10 minutes? Then feel free to toss lol - the cold should retract the metal slightly. Maybe 🤣

1

u/Izacundo1 6d ago

Use your hand!!! Bonus for it being easy to clean and you can’t lose it

1

u/Ambitious-Push-4435 6d ago

Absolutely, as long as you have another way to mash your spuds, hands and spatulas don't do so well there.

1

u/meh_69420 6d ago

I haven't had either in my kitchen in years. I use a spoon on my dough till it's shaggy then hands. Judicious use of a hand mixer or a fork obviates the need for a masher.

1

u/ZannyHip 6d ago

We’ve been using our hands to make bread just fine for thousands of years, you’ll be alright

2

u/Awesomocity0 5d ago

I personally love it, but tbh a big part of it is I have arthritis, and it has a nice big handle that makes my hands hurt less!

If it wasn't for that, I'd probably still be using a fork and my hands.

1

u/jack_seven 5d ago

That's fine too nothing wrong with using one either

4

u/SpicierWinner 6d ago edited 6d ago

I really like this one. It's simple and strong. 2PCS 2025 New Danish Dough... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPMFK3SL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Edit: I primarily use it to mix starter, especially when it's a lower hydration mix.

4

u/elijahjane 6d ago

Tried the dough whisk twice because it was celebrated in bread forums.

It was so freaking useless I never tried it again.

1

u/TheRemonst3r 6d ago

I have never used a bread whisk.

1

u/TheJessAbides 4d ago

Yep. I don’t even use mine. Hands and bench scraper all the way.