I have no idea......could it just be Amish custom?

It's been years since I made them, but I'm sure I took any available shortcut and used a mixer. :-)

Also, does your recipe say to grease and flour your pans or to use grease and sugar? I think we used sugar. Yummm! I'd forgotten how fun those friendship breads are until some of you posted about it recently.

Hmmm I have used metal with my Amish recipe. Don't think it hurt it at all.

I would just dare and do it. :)

Moni

I always thought it could cause a reaction of some type? Like kill the growth? I don't know for sure though.

Maybe it's something in the metal that affects the activity of the yeast, or something. Maybe not. Something made of glass or crockery, holds more warmth than something metal, maybe that's why?
Leslie

Yes, I oiled the pan and then dusted it with sugar and cinnamon and put that on top as well. It looks and smells great. I also baked it in metal pans. I guess that is why I wondered if you can use metal one place, why not another. It rose beautifully in the oven.

Also it says not to freeze it but others here, said it is alright to freeze the starter. I'm trying that now and will see what happens ssometime down the road.

I'm going to try the electric hand mixer next time as well.

ivamae

Iva, I can't explain about the bread but used to work with herbal teas a lot, which also admonish no metal. The reason is that metal will usurp the medicinal properties and nutirents of the herbs. It will kill anything that is alive because of acidic reactions, and your yeast is a live organism. Baking in metal might be okay because only the bottom and maybe outer portions are in contact with the metal pan. I have a hand mixer w/ attachments, one of which are rubber folders. It only cost $18.

Sorry, make that plastic folders.

Thanks Bestlawn. That may be the reason.

Do you remember where you bought your mixer. It sounds great.

I can appreciate that freezing could easily stop the fermenation as well, but it appears that some have tried it with success. I'm going to experiment.
ivamae

We're making many Amish breads. No problem with metal utensils. The old fashioned way was wooden utensils.
We wouldn't freeze the starters because they're so easy to make.
Enjoy.

I have never heard of it. I am curious, what is the recipe?
Clare

The different companies call the attachments folders or paddles, and some have flat beaters. Mine is Round The House brand that I got from either CVS or Rite Aid a few years ago, but I can't find that brand. Afraid these are more expensive.

Girmi
Drillspot

There was a recipe on here just before Christmas.

I'm short of time or I'd look it up.

ole joyful

Here is the first post Clare, there are tons of recipes for it online, just a matter of finding one you like.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amish bread

I looked it up and found this ...maybe the answer...may not be! LOL.....sounds about right to me though.

Here is a link that might be useful: No metal

nodakgal - Thanks for the link.
Clare

I don't know about the Amish friendship bread, I can't remember from when I used it years ago. I probably did use metal spoons to mix with, and maybe even a stailess steel mixing bowl, but can't remember.

However, I do make sourdough bread from a starter. I use my Kichen Aid mixer with the dough hook to mix that. Usually, DH mixes the starter when we feed it, as I don't have the strength in my arm from arthritis in the shoulder, to mix it with a whisk, besides which, he likes playing in it! We use the wire whisk with no problem and the metal dough hook in the mixer. I think I would try it. You don't have that much invested in ingredients that if it didn't work right, it wouldn't be that big of a loss.

Tami

Yes, I'm going to experiment and see what happens. As you say, there is little invested. I also froze one portion and will see if it will be all right, later.

I want to try adding some other things to this next batch. I like playing around

Do you want to try some Ole Joyful. I'll galdly give you some starter when I make the next batch.

ivamae

ivamae,
I found that when I took mine out of the freezer, it took a few days for it to look normal. :-) But it really does work!