[Closed] Anyone spotted any bread flour or plain flour for sale?

I’ve a pretty consistent supply in my village shop, white bread, wholemeal, rye, plain, self raising, yeast……
Advantages of owning a shop….

eventually the customers are going to manage to break the door down and get in 🙂

If you are any where south of Bristol, Arthur David delivered me a 25kg sack, which is going to keep me going till after Christmas

We got 16kg from a local pie shop that was selling off surplus stock. My wife now seems to be on some kind of time challenge to use it was quickly as possible- we have 16 croissants ready for tomorrow breakfast!

I just go into Sainsbury's and get some off the shelf.

joshvegas
Subscriber

I just go into Sainsbury’s and get some off the shelf.

Post Pictures up as well

What for?

Genuinely they've gad flour the last two times i went in!

Genuinely they’ve gad flour the last two times i went in!

Not had any when I've been in.

Local garage had bread flour though.

I have plenty bread flour but I could use some plain though as I would like to make a cheese cake but hey ho.

Last night I used the self raising to make batter for onion rings.

Waitrose in Henleaze, Bristol had loads of different sorts in this evening, including plain. First time in a week or so.

I just go into Sainsbury’s and get some off the shelf.

I haven’t been in a supermarket for at least 4 weeks now but I’m reliably informed they haven’t had any bread flour or yeast for ages.

Our nice local “Eco” shop has flour at the moment but even they’ve been struggling to get hold of it and don’t have yeast.

Oh seriously it’s been so annoying, people probably buying 3 packs a time just because they want to do baking etc... we had to get some donated to us from my Lasses NHS work colleagues as we couldn’t find it ourselves AND it’s gluten free we need!

+1 for Thomas Ridley, the missus is delighted. Great range of stuff 👍

Both of our town baker's have a range of flour always in stock and fresh yeast as well. It's just the supermarkets that can't now cope with the demand for packing flour into small bags.

bigsurfer
Subscriber

Both of our town baker’s have a range of flour always in stock and fresh yeast as well. It’s just the supermarkets that can’t now cope with the demand for packing flour into small bags.

Really, care to elaborate

[img] [/img]

There's breakfast ready! Aw proud of myself! 😆

They look spot on seosamh77, how many are you feeding at breakfast though 😮

Just to make it clear I’ve worked in flour milling for 30 years and there is no shortage of flour at all. Just because you can’t buy it in the supermarkets is because the usual buying pattern is 15% of households buy 1 bag of flour a week, this has been the case for years so who the hell is going to build a packing plant that can do 85% more than is required?
No one is the answer the margins on flour production are so tiny its laughable, our plant produces 400 tonnes of flour a day.
Not one gram of that flour is in a bag it’s all in bulk tankers.
We had 2 packing lines until 2013 and the smallest packs we did then were 10KG which were an utter pain in the arse.

The base line is the UK and pretty much everywhere else isn’t set up for the public buying little bags of flour.

If you want flour and you are prepared to have a little bit more than usual go to your local bakery, they will be more than happy to sell you flour as the profit on that will probably be better than the bread they sell.

Sorry if this looks like a rant, but the amount of guff spouted about flour in the last weeks has really got on my wick. I'm sure it’s the same for most people in an industry when you see stuff written that is utter shite.

MrOvershoot
Subscriber
They look spot on seosamh77, how many are you feeding at breakfast though 😮

Bread is a not so secret weakness of mine, they'll not last, one scoffed already! 😆 even more prouder of myself, defo got it this time! at last!

Interesting post btw, cheers.

seosamh77
Subscriber
Bread is a not so secret weakness of mine, they’ll not last, one scoffed already! 😆 even more prouder of myself, defo got it this time! at last!

Interesting post btw, cheers.

Really good crust, what's the crumb structure like?

Oh before flour milling I was an engineer in a big bakery

Lots of fresh yeast coming from Ocado on Sunday, and they’ve had plenty of flour for a while now.

MrOvershoot
Subscriber

Really good crust, what’s the crumb structure like?

Was excellent, lots of holes and not too tight, will get a picture tomorrow if I mind! 😆 Nice and crispy crust, nice chew to it and great flavour aswell. Which was basically the kneeding, managed to get it to the silky thin strechy way it should go to with out breaking, folded twice, with resting for 45 mins each after, before cutting and pre shaping etc . Have also discovered that 15 minutes at full pelt(235/240c) in the oven, with a bath of water at the bottom, then release all the steam and dry bake it at the end for 7 mins is what gives it the good crust.

The mix I used was fairly precise as well, 500g bread flour(100%), 73% (365g) water, 7g packet yeast, (1.8%) 9g salt.

Got a good base to experiment from now I think.

Just to make it clear I’ve worked in flour milling for 30 years and there is no shortage of flour at all. Just because you can’t buy it in the supermarkets

Its all very well you having loads in a mill but if you cant buy it in the shops any normal person would call it a shortage.

Only if they are not listening to someone who knows what they're talking about....🤦

None in Morrisons here this am.

Look in the curry / rice bit in your supermarket. 10kg bags of Atta / Chapatti flour which is brown duram wheat and fine for making bread

That’s a fancy supermarket luck just to get gram flour here.

That's a top tip and an example of what makes this place so great!

Not a single bag of flour of any description in the baking isle of my local Tesco. Always 5 or 6 10 kilo bags of chapatti flour in the Asian isle.

Exactly what you said Mr Overshoot. Both of our local bakers buy in bulk for there own needs but also bag up 1.5kg bags for resales and sell 50g blocks of fresh yeast. Because its a manual process at the level of the local bakery they can easily up the amount they bag etc. Unfortunately everybody only supports the big supermarkets that are incredible fine tuned machines that are also very inflexible when something changes rapidly. The only downside is that right now they are having to use plastic bags as the supply of paper bags has also run out.

Joe, those look brilliant!. Get a go at sourdough, 5 days of ****ing about feeding a starter, and you'll never need yeast again.

Only if they are not listening to someone who knows what they’re talking about…

Reading what they wrote about.

Still doesnt mean I can buy flour.

You're correct, staring at the empty shelves in your local supermarket is the best way to buy flour

@seosamh77 mouthwatering!

Selection of different flour available from farm shop in Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester.

You’re correct, staring at the empty shelves in your local supermarket is the best way to buy flour

You are quite amusing, its like listening to Gavin Williamson say we dont have a shortage of PPE its just not in the hospitals in the UK its in Turkey.

Not a single bag of flour of any description in the baking isle of my local Tesco. Always 5 or 6 10 kilo bags of chapatti flour in the Asian isle.

I've used it for bread, pizza dough and to make suet crust pastry so far, as well as chapatis and nans. Seems to be fine. Making apple crumble with some later, I'll report back.

A note on this, the local Morrisons ( Leeds Holbeck ) is now selling 1kg bags of plain bread flower from their own supplies to suppliment the shortage. It was 60p.
I think if there isnt any on shelves you could try ask the bakery and they might be able to get some!
Same with wholemeal too.

anagallis_arvensis

Still doesnt mean I can buy flour.

I know it's a STW disease but you're just being pathetic. You know that if you get off your arse and go to different shops, or look on the web then you can get flour. It may not be the usual size, or the usual supplier but it is out there.
It just requires you to stop behaving like an muppet

You are quite amusing, its like listening to Gavin Williamson say we dont have a shortage of PPE its just not in the hospitals in the UK its in Turkey.

More akin to it not being in the cupboard you usually find it, but in another room along the corridor a bit. Oh and maybe not in the same coloured cellophane that it is usually is but it is the same stuff and does the same job and is available.

Please guys I'm sorry I wrote my little piece yesterday, I wouldn't have if Id known it was going to cause ructions!

Anyway please get back to baking & lets see the results 🙂

just been to our local(ish) bakers and got 6kg for me and 6kg for my daughter. owner said they dont have a shortage there.

few more loaves of soda bread whilst im building up my sourdough starter methinks....

I know it’s a STW disease but you’re just being pathetic. You know that if you get off your arse and go to different shops

I do apologise, my government, useless as they are, have suggested not making unnecessary journeys so I'm limiting my shopping to once a week at one place. Its only had chapati flour when I've been in for over a month. I'm quite happy with that but it certainly doesnt mean there is no flour shortage. You of course can go wandering off to your local artisan bakery if you like, my village doesnt have one. I'm also avoiding buying stuff online as I dont want to be responsible for delivery drivers having to work and get ill just to bring me 10kg of flour. Maybe that makes me pathetic but I couldnt really care less about your opinion, so you crack on champ.

MrOvershoot

Really good crust, what’s the crumb structure like?

Remembered a picture.

[img] [/img]

Just ordered a big bag from here & yeast

https://www.thomasridley.co.uk//blockquote >

Given up on any local shops having any strong white for the foreseeable future so I've ordered one of these also.... billy bargain!
My local foodservice company didn't have any in stock and the little (water wheel powered) mill half a mile away is closed - so this is a result.

In the absence of 00 flour this will work for Pizza as well.

 

seosamh77
Subscriber

Remembered a picture.

That is really very good, just the right amount of aeration variety without the blow holes or flying crust.
I’m just imagining that with some slightly runny Roquefort and a glass of red

First loaf made with the chapatti flour following the wholemeal seeded loaf recipe in the book that came with my bread machine.

It's flippin' gorgeous!

View this post on Instagram

small soda bread loaf whilst im waiting for my sourdough starter.....

[img] [/img]

Any yeast for sale anywhere?

Local bakers?

Yep you local bakers will have plenty, but I have spoken to a few stores and they are getting supplies in most of the time. I suspect you have to time it right for it not be be all sold out again.

Some nice looking loaves up there

sadexpunk
Subscriber

small soda bread loaf whilst im waiting for my sourdough starter…..

Don't know why but I've never really liked soda bread?
Looks great though and with the rolled oats 🙂

Had to rescue my sourdough starter yesterday as I had fed it first thing, went to work and came home to find it had started to separate as like a plank I had left it on the chopping board in the sun so it had rapidly consumed all the feeder flour, halved it and re fed.

Tested it this morning and good activity and only sinks in water after about 5 seconds so should be good for loaf baking tomorrow

Our local Morrisons was again awash with flour today. Plain, self raising and bread all in 1 kg bags.

Only chapati flour in tesco this morning.

My local Morrison’s had loads as per tomd above. And fresh yeast, just got to figure that out now.

My local Waitrose had no flour.

No yeast in these parts for ages now.

I bought a 125g bag online from These guys for £3.99.

I see that they are charging 2.99 for a 42g sachet now though.

And then there is the postage on top of that.

We have been running out - no supermarket or delivery could get us bread flour in the last few weeks.

I have just ordered a 16kg sack on eBay.

My dealer managed to furnish me with 10kilos of finest uncut 00grade pizza flour.

Had to go into some back street housing estate in logie to get it mind and he wanted paying in bitcoin.

We shall have pizza tonight.

I ordered 16Kg on eBay but then cancelled as I found it much cheaper and quicker from a food service company - got my PayPal refund email this morning along with another email saying that the eBay flour had been dispatched!

So now I'll have 32kg bread flour!!
Sourdough starter here I come 😁

For those of you looking at ebay, try this instead
https://www.thomasridley.co.uk/heygates-strong-white-bread-flour-16kg-06874.html

Delivery is £7.95 or free over £250

That's who I used. Cheaper and good service too.

Forget the flour, how/where do I get yeast.
I've tried all the local supermarkets and bakeries and there is just none to be had !

I've made my last batch of seeded buns this morning then that's it unless the yeast fairy pays me a visit.............

500g fermipan yeast is about £12 delivered on eBay. Should last you the rest of the year.

Decided this thread needs more pictures instead of arguments about flour supply 🙂

Supplies from the link I posted.

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This is now our staple loaf, from a Paul Hollywood book. Have made it a few times and it's consistently good. I'm experimenting with the fridge to see if it turns out OK being made the day before and kept cold. Will report back tomorrow afternoon!

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Soda bread, my first effort. It's OK, not my favourite but quick and easy. We've demolished it already for breakfast & lunch today.

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Pizza my wife made, was great. Will do again sometime this week. Could have done with an extra minute for a browner crust.

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I wooed my wife with these for her birthday when we were still just climbing friends. They still work well 9 years later 🙂

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Cheese scones, turned out well & went great with homemade soup. They're heart shaped because it is the biggest cutter we have 🙂

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I’m experimenting with the fridge to see if it turns out OK being made the day before.

Tried cold proofing.... Meh.

I like Paul Hollywood's book though.

Tried cold proofing…. Meh.

I was hoping it would be successful enough to make up 2 or 3 days worth so I can bake it each day without having to make it.

Almost all my bread gets made the day before for baking the next day.

It's markedly more flavoursome than bread made prooved and baked the same day.

Even more critical when sourdoughing but makes a huge difference to regular yeast as well.

@trail_rat do you just put it in the fridge in a bag and prove our next day? Presume you need to add on an extra 30mins or so to warm up?

At least that’s my plan!

I don't do it in the fridge.

I just leave it covered with a dish towel on the side.

For what your wanting you might want to cold prove or it'll be spent before you go to use it

I don't know much about baking but I've watched enough bake off to know that "over proving" is a thing? So I could just leave it out overnight, straight in the oven first thing and it's ready for breakfast?
That sounds perfect!

Ocado fresh yeast didn't arrive. Flour did though. I still have some dried, but was hoping for some good fresh. Pizza dough last night, Yorkshires today, naan bread Monday, fresh bread during the week.

Hugh F-W rustic multiseed soda bread

I won't risk incurring the wrath of a_a and show you the 16kg of flour from Shipton Mills

😉

I did bake a red fruit and chocolate thingy with almonds and cinnamon crumble topping

Some of todays baking, Kanelbullar. Pics of the Swedish style rye bread to follow, it got a bit toasted due to the shelf being too high in the oven. @MrOvershoot both used As You Like It Flour as the base.

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Here's the Rye bread which is a tad sweet but has orange zest, fennel and carroway seed flavourings.

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Oh my, that rye bread looks fab

Lidl had loads of SWBF today, happy days, starter fed again this evening! 👌🏻

Excellent looking breads & cakes 👆👆👆

My first overnight prove & straight in the oven in the morning effort was a failure! Overnight in fridge and then prove & shape in the morning worked well.

This is my next experiment, going in the oven tomorrow first thing 🤞🏻

[img] [/img]

Forget yeast, grow your own!.

2nd go at the sourdough, much better.

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They look great 👍

@phil5556 Do you cover the dough while it's in the fridge? It can skin over and split in the oven if it's not covered with greased clingfilm.

It can skin over and split in the oven if it’s not covered with greased clingfilm.

Splits give the crust some body, I don't cover mine in the fridge.