How to Clean Your Electric Mixer Bowl After Mixing Sourdough Bread

For bread enthusiasts who use an electric mixer to knead their homemade sourdough bread, maintaining a clean and sanitized equipment is crucial for preserving its longevity and preserving the quality of the next batch. While my personal preference is for no electric mixer in sourdough making, the cleaning tips and techniques detailed here will certainly prove useful.

Immediate Clean-Up is Key

One of the most important steps in maintaining your electric mixer and its attachments is to clean it promptly after use. The sooner you tackle the cleanup, the easier it will be to remove any leftovers of your dough. Attempting to clean after letting the dough dry on the bowl and the attachments can result in a more challenging and time-consuming task. By starting right away, you will prevent the formation of crusty residues, which can be difficult to remove later.

The Power of Your Fingertips

Your fingers can actually be an effective tool for the initial cleaning process. Since your hands come into direct contact with the dough, they can help dislodge the majority of it from the bowl and any other utensils you might have used. Begin by filling the mixer bowl halfway with warm water. This water will help soften the dough, making it easier to remove.

Use your fingers to rub the sides of the bowl, moving the water up near the edge to release the batter. Don't be afraid to turn the bowl and reposition your hands to clean all sides evenly.

Tip:** Some water may splash out, but that's perfectly fine. This step is primarily to get the majority of the dough off the bowl and utensils.

Once the sides are cleaned, set the bowl down flat again and use your fingertips to clean the inside bottom. This might require a bit more effort compared to the sides.

After you've cleaned the bowl, dump out the water and rinse the bowl both inside and out to remove any remaining dough bits, especially on the outside of the bowl.

This method is preferred over using scrub brushes, sponges, or washcloths initially because these materials can get crusty with the dough and become difficult to clean.

Standard Cleaning Implements for the Final Step

Once you've used your fingers to do the bulk of the cleaning, it's time to use standard cleaning implements like a sponge or washcloth with soapy water to thoroughly wash and disinfect the bowl and attachments. This ensures that you remove any remaining residue and sanitize the equipment, making it ready for the next use.

Purpose: Standard cleaning tools are more effective when used during the final step after your fingers have done the initial dough removal. Fingers can get dirty, and using sponges, brushes, or washcloths first could leave residues that are harder to clean.

Tips for Cleaning: Always ensure you wash your cleaning tools after use to avoid cross-contamination and maintain hygiene.

Conclusion

Properly cleaning your electric mixer bowl and attachments after making homemade sourdough bread is not only about hygiene but also about preserving the longevity and functionality of your equipment. By following these steps, you will ensure that your mixer and attachments remain in top condition for all your future baking projects.