I'm after a food mixer / stand mixer / whatever they're called and need advice

[SarrissUK]

It's probably five or six years old now. But my mum had a very similar one to the one you linked on fleabay, but that had a metal bowl too!

[SarrissUK]

Hot water in the bowl, and a little spray or two of WD40 at the bottom of the bowl finally did the trick! And it unscrews anti-clockwise, for future reference lol

[Florence Fennel]

As you probably know, I have treated myself to a Kenwood, well, Himself finished up paying for it and cakes and bread are ok, but I'm struggling to make short crust pastry as good as my hand made, what proportions do folk use? I've tried in the processor too with the same result and it's a faff getting the processor out. Help please

[SarrissUK]

I've not tried doing short crust pastry in the Kenwood, because it needs so little working, I'd be worried to over-work it. Processors definitely would overwork it for my liking.

[Florence Fennel]

Slow speed was recommended S, and it does work, but I'm sure it would be better if I could get the ratio of fat to flour right

[Snoop Puss]

Hot water in the bowl, and a little spray or two of WD40 at the bottom of the bowl finally did the trick! And it unscrews anti-clockwise, for future reference lol

I'll remember, just in case.

[Florence Fennel]

I don't add the liquid to the mixer in case of overworking, I do that bit by hand.

[Snoop Puss]

Slow speed was recommended S, and it does work, but I'm sure it would be better if I could get the ratio of fat to flour right

Out of interest, what recipe are you using? Is it because the fat gets warm while you're cutting it into the flour? Might you need less water because of that?

[Florence Fennel]

Usual half fat to flour Snoop - fat straight from the fridge cut into small pieces - it's the crumb stage I can't seem to get right. I add an egg and a little water to my hand mix, so have done the same.

[Snoop Puss]

^Sounds like you're doing all the right things. I found this:
https://www.nigella.com/ask/shortcru...try-by-machine

[Florence Fennel]

That's the latest one I've found too Snoop, so I used it this afternoon. I used Trex and Stork, but the Stork was in a tub - I'll try cubes cut from a block next time. If I can get it right it will be great - I'm tasked with making a lot of pastry!

[Snoop Puss]

I'm afraid I use all butter in pastry. Not very healthy I guess. I make it in a food processor. Maybe I don't know what good pastry is supposed to be like!

[Florence Fennel]

I'm sure it's lovely Snoop - I just stick to what my mum used to do. Lard is as good as Trex - cheaper and just as unhealthy

[Bren In Pots]

I use slightly less than half fat to flour probably 8oz flour to 3oz fat, the fats half lard half block cooking marg. Waters added when the bowls removed from my Kenwood.
This seems to work well for me.

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks Bren, I'll try that