Few questions before a demo

[Bonsai]

Hi Everyone

Wondering if anyone can answer a few questions I have about thermomix (haven't got one yet, demo next week!).
I currently make bread in a breadmaker (or use the dough hook on my old food processor) - has anyone compared the outcome/time taken to produce bread using the thermomix?

I grind a lot of spices but find my little spice grinder can only cope with certain amounts. Is is possible to grind quite small amounts of spice in the thermomix (e.g. teaspoon or two) - I would guess there would have to be a minimum that the blades can 'reach'.

Looking forward to contributing to this forum   

[Very Happy Jan]

Hi Bonsai. For sheer convenience I still use the bread maker as it doesn't need supervision and will mix/knead and bake -even when i go out. I do still make bread with the TMX but is't our "specialty" bread not the everyday.
I haven't ground spices but I remember being told at my demo that the TMX will grind a teaspoon of spice.

[containergirl]

I have ground a teaspoon of cummin very nicely.....it was one of those moments that I have so often even after months of owning a thermomix of 'this is amazing'.  I haven't tried other spices.

[I Love Bimby!]

My bread maker has been in storage for 18 months and I just use the tmx now. And it's great for grinding spices. I'm often suprised how well it does even a cinnamon stick. Though I do find that some times I get a better result with a little more (perhaps 2).

[judydawn]

Don't they recommend that you put the steaming basket in when you are blitzing small amounts of spices so that you get more mileage out of the blades?  Haven't tried it myself but remember reading it on here somewhere.

[foodiepep]

I prefer to make bread in my Kenwood mixer as it needs to proof one before it can come out of the TM and I'd rather be doing something else in it than waiting 40 min for dough to proof first.  It is also a lot easier to clean dough off the dough hook on the kenwood than the TM blades

[Bonsai]

Thanks for the info - hadn't thought of grinding cinnamon quills, mainly seeds - especially annatto as it is like little rocks!

[cookie1]

My bread machine is now stored away in the pantry too. I use the TMX exclusively for my bread. I don't leave the bread to rise in there though, even with Isi's recipes as I find it hard to clean.

[I Love Bimby!]

Don't they recommend that you put the steaming basket in when you are blitzing small amounts of spices so that you get more mileage out of the blades?  Haven't tried it myself but remember reading it on here somewhere.

I've never heard about that one JD....

Personally I don't find bread dough such an issue to clean out. A blitz for 20 seconds with some water (and egg shells if you have any). Sometimes I then pull it apart and use a little teat brush (that comes with a bottle brush) to clean under the blades and it's done.

[judydawn]

I'm with you on that one ILB - I have no trouble at all cleaning mine after making bread.  I do it immediately though, maybe that is the secret.

[I Love Bimby!]

If it starts to dry, just put some warm water in, perhaps blitz it, then let it rest for a couple of mins and blitz again.

[cookie1]

Thanks. I often forget and it sets like a rock.

[alioop]

Sorry to encourage this thread off topic - but I have just started to rise my dough in a bowl sitting on top of the thermomix lid (without MC in), putting a bit of water in the TMX bowl, on stir at about 50 or 60 degrees for about half an hour - has the added advantage of cleaning the bowl of any sticky dough bits while its rising the bread  , also setting the timer means I don't forget the bread is there  .

[Very Happy Jan]

Good idea Alioop.

[I Love Bimby!]

Good thinking!