Tessa the Duchess Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I have been using my breakmaker for around 12 years. I have made so many loaves with it I can virtually put the ingredients in with my eyes shut Every once in a while a loaf comes out resembling a house brick, half risen and dense I notice that I am almost at the bottom of my tub of yeast (Allison Dried Active) and I wondered if the yeast has gone stale? Do others experience this problem, could it be the yeast? and what type of yeast do you use? Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 My very cheap breadmaker started to make housebricks recently However, today I made my loaf of bread with hot water and it has risen to a nice size Not sure if that will help you though Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 My very cheap breadmaker started to make housebricks recently However, today I made my loaf of bread with hot water and it has risen to a nice size I didn't think about the water temp. I am usually a bit slapdash with water but try and use lukewarm. Thanks for this, I will use hot water and see what happens, gonna have to do it this afternoon because the only thing I can do with this loaf is chuck it through a jeweler's window Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 It's most likely stale yeast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I am no expert,but re the water temp I know on the instructions for mine it says that in winter you should use warm water,especially if doing a quick bake loaf. Hope this is of help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I get the little sachets of yeast rather than the tubs - I think it stays fresher for longer that way as each sachet only does about 2 to 3 loaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Water too hot can kill the yeast so be careful The little tins of allinson yeast actually say on them not fdor use in a breadmaker At least the two I have in the cupboard at home do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I use Doves active yeast and keep it in the fridge. It's fine. I had the same problem recently though, and through a process of elimination (and wasted bread ) I doscovered that it was duff flour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Please don't be offended but my loaves turn out like this very occasionaly and I usually realise that I forgot the yeast altogether Also do you weigh the flour or measure it in the cup provided because I have been known to either put one too little or one too many in, especially if I have to stop to open a new bag I have also taken to using hand hot water rather than cold on cold days. You have done well to use the same breadmaker for 12 years, I use mine most days and I have found that the bread pans wear out and the loaves get stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Water too hot can kill the yeast so be careful The little tins of allinson yeast actually say on them not fdor use in a breadmaker At least the two I have in the cupboard at home do I just looked on the tin, you are right I must stop shopping without my specs I stopped using the little packets because my breadmaker has a little two ended scoop thingy and it is so easy to get the scoop in the tin,hard to get it in the packets. I went out and bought some packet yeast today, and will check that water is warm and not too hot in future. Tessa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I did the same thing which is why I have two tins sitting in the cupboard I thought they would be perfect for getting the little scoop into and it was only when I went to use it that I realised I wouldn't mind but it isn't exactly small writing on the tin is it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Water too hot can kill the yeast so be careful Thanks for posting that! I must admit the water I used was hand hot (probably just warm to most people ), but I was tempted to make it hotter next time to get an even bigger loaf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
