07/01/2010

Deb from OK

Just received this item and was surprised that it came with absolutely no instructions or information. I've never used one so I will need to google to learn the proper use and any tips.
Sorry to hear of your difficulty. There is an informational link on the item page. If you need additional assistance, please call our bakers on the Hot Line: 800-827-6836. Frank @ KAF.

05/16/2010

from

Works the way it's supposed to, isn't expensive and arrives quickly.

05/10/2010

Max from Anacortes, WA

Superb - an indispensable element of conjuring outstanding baguette crust. I use this 2-3 times a week for baguette and have raised at least 60 loaves on it. Though it is a little surprising when first received (I was uneasy when I first had it in hand), I have ZERO complaints, and I am convinced that it is worth every cent. As far as the bread goes, complements abound. Durable, too - as with any excellent tool - as long as it is used for its proper purpose. Thanks, King Arthur!

04/28/2010

Olga S from WA

I am wondering if I should be using rice flour or a mix of rice and wheat flours. The chouche works fine for proofing at room t for a couple of hours but when placed in the fridge for retardation, the dough stuck to the couche, and was impossible to remove without completely ruining the baguette shape. Please help with the instructions. I didn't get any with the shipping.
A couche is only used for the final rising at room temperature. These are not designed for extended fermentation or slow cold rises. A dusting of all-purpose or bread flour is all that is needed. Frank @ KAF.

03/05/2010

Kay from Providence, RI

Wow, KAY is catching a lot of heck because others aren't well informed about the function of couches. I'd like to say thanks for supplying it. Where else can I get just one for at home baking AND pay a resonable price? KAF, that's where. PS: The couche is as high quality as any I've used in any professional kitchen.

02/28/2010

BiologyFreak from 33 deg. N 84 deg. W

I have been using my couche for a while now, and I have nothing but high praise for it. The only small criticisms I can offer are: It seems a little pricey, and it could be just a little larger. But I am 100% satisfied with it, and use it once or twice a week. I am thinking of getting a mailing tube to store it in, and I would suggest to KAF that they ship it in a plastic storage tube so that people don't have to spend the first week getting the creases out that result from shipping it folded. To the folks who are critical of this item, may I gently suggest that your expectations were not firmly grounded in an understanding of the product? I wouldn't have dreamed of washing this, even though I didn't get the slip of paper warning me not to. Hemming the edges is pointless, as with even ordinary care and use this cloth will last a lifetime. For those who are horrified by the thought of not washing your couche, over time the couche becomes seasoned, and any little microbial guests will simply contribute character to your rising loaf. You don't think your loaves are sterile after you've poked and prodded them into shape, do you? But don't shudder in revulsion. I promise you that sitting on that 500 degree baking stone will kill any hitchhikers from your couche, your hands, or your dog sneezing on your loaf and your cat licking at it while you were busy on the phone. While I wipe out or rinse my cookware when needed, and wash my hands more often than Lady Macbeth on a gloomy Sunday evening, getting your cookware "sanitized" is a silly concept. The mouth you use to eat your bread with contains far more flora and fauna than your couche ever will. And the creatures living in your mouth are far more likely to be pathogenic than what inhabits a regularly used and properly cared for couche. If concerned, set it out in the sun for a while - UV light is a great disinfectant. You could probably get away with baking it in a *moderate* oven as a means to "purify" it, but I haven't tried that, so don't blame me if you have to buy a new one. I would imagine baking the ingrained flour will make it stiff until you work it some. Do you imagine, perhaps, that Louis Pasteur insisted the baker autoclave his couche before making bread for him? Non, mon ami. And neither should you. You live in a sea of teeming life. Get over it, and wash your hands a lot.

02/27/2010

from

I am really not interested in sarcasm and nastiness when I read a review. The instructions for a review are to comment on item's quality, ease of use, etc. I have been using Couches for years. While I do wish this one sold by KAF were a bit larger (only because I am blind and tend to need things like couches, silicone mats, etc. a bit larger to do a good job, this couche is absolutely fine for those of us who can follow instructions. It does a beautiful job and I am ordering a second one. Thanks, KAF for the quality products that make my efforts worthwhile.

02/17/2010

Greg from Missouri

I got this as a gift and decided to wash it before its first use. Like I do with everything I buy for food use. However, I found out the hard way that is not the thing to do. Instead of a nice crust on my bread I have a mess in my washing machine. They should print on the couche "DO NOT WASH". I guess maybe I should get online before I use something. I bought a shirt today, maybe the internet will tell me if I can wash it. Oh wait, it has a tag on it!
We are sorry to hear about your couche. There should have been a small paper included with the couche telling you not to wash the item. We apologize that it was not in your package. Please phone customer service and we will be happy to take care of this for you.

12/13/2009

Paul Hafele from Anchorage, AK

The shipping information says free shipping. When I went to order, shipping was $9.50. Not free shipping in my book.
Free shipping is for standard ground. Priority is the only method we have for shipping to AK. Mary@ KAF

12/12/2009

Lyn from Washington

I was disappointed with this item. I'm sure it is very functional but for the price I could get something similar at the fabric store for a few dollars a yard. The frayed edges should be serged at the very least.