Calling all bread makers ....Expired Yeast?

MrsRogers

Hello all

My Panasonic Bread maker has arrived and I have just completed my first 'Rapid Loaf' however it came out a bit pale and although the texture is nice it seems a little sticky...

I checked the troubleshooting and it said to check the expiry of the yeast... low and behold it went out of date Oct 2010. Didn't realize it had been so long since I made bread!!

couple of questions:

1) I'm assuming the breads fine to still eat?

2) could i still use the yeast as hate throwing away.. maybe add more? If so how much more

Many thanks in advance

r.mac_2

i made bread by hand two days ago with yeast (dried) that expired AUg 2010. It worked really well.

You can test the yeast - put it in a jug with a little bit of hand hot water and teaspoon sugar. leave for 5-10 mins if it goes all frothy then the yeast is fine.

HTH

Mayflower10cat

I also second 'testing' the yeast before adding to the mix in the breadmaker - it's so annoying when you get a loaf like a biscuit! Also, I found with my machine (not a Panasonic) that the 'rapid' or 'fast' setting doesn't give the best results, they're always a bit heavy.

MrsRogers

Many thanks for your replys...

Could I just ask then...would you put the yeast (quantity required ) and sugar in a cup (check it froths) then add it to the mixture in the machine?

Its just the instructions go on and on about making sure the yeast doesn't get wet to early ??

Sorry if im being stupid I am a NOVICE at bread making to say the least.

r.mac_2

I would probably test the yeast - and if I had plenty of it, just go onto follow the breadmakers instructions using un-tested yeast. That way not wasting flour etc

otherwise just stick it into the machine, not sure what effect it will have as I don't use a machine. sorry.

Farway

MrsRogers wrote: »

Many thanks for your replys...

Could I just ask then...would you put the yeast (quantity required ) and sugar in a cup (check it froths) then add it to the mixture in the machine?

Its just the instructions go on and on about making sure the yeast doesn't get wet to early ??

Sorry if im being stupid I am a NOVICE at bread making to say the least.

I would add the mixture to the water, which is on top of the flour in a Panny, I do this with non fast acting yeast

I think the avoid wetting too early is for use with a timer, when just making bog standard 4 hour type it seems to make no differenance if added to water on top IME

Use all lukewarm water BTW in this weather, every little helps to get the yeast going

Kefte

If it did rise very unlikely to be the yeast [it is only slightly OOT], sounds like it could be too little flour and salt.

Alternatively, the bread has risen too quickly and the temperature was too cool whilst baking - so problem with breadmaker.

Think you need to try another batch.

esmf73

What I do to check my yeast is get the required amount of water for the bread mix you're using. I make it hand hot water, I then swirl in the required amount of sugar for the recipe and then put in the yeast required. I then leave it somewhere warm - normally in the kichen whilst I'm busy with breakfast and then if 15 mins later it has more than doubled in size and has loads of bubbles and smells all yeasty, then I pour it all into the pan, on top of the flour etc and set the machine off.

mi_jardin

I have a Panasonic 255, and I find that the rapid bake is not a good loaf at the best of times.
The best loaf I get from it is using the 4hr white loaf and set the timer so its ready when I get up in the morning. That way its had more time to rise, and its a lovely soft loaf.
I'd buy some more yeast though, the way bread flour has gone up lately, its cheaper to buy a new pot of yeast than waste flour!:o

Nodette

Don't throw the yeast away if it is out of date and not working right. Instead, use it for pizza bases and flat breads (after all, it seems that the yeast is rising a bit).

DH kindly bought me about 20 little tins of out-of-date yeast over a year ago (sigh! It was a nice thought...) and this is how I've been using them up!!

MrsRogers

Thank you all so much for your replies. I have taken advice and run it on a 'normal 4hr' and it came out perfect :T

:T:T:TIm pleased as punch:T:T:T

I want to make more but DH says there is only so much bread he can eat as im on weightwatchers :rotfl::rotfl:

My mums coming tomorrow and she is like Delia & Kirsty Allsopp rolled into one so i'll bake her a loaf and impress her with my new talent