"Sky" wrote in message
> Pete C. wrote:
>>
>> Bertie Doe wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi Dee, JT and Wayne.
>> >
>> > I wonder if I can pick your collective on things linen. I've just
>> > received a
>> > couple of bread books from Amazon used re-sellers. The chef/authors
>> > suggest
>> > using linen for proofing sourdough, although you can use cling.
>> >
>> > The local village 'linen' shoppe, has loadsa brightly coloured table
>> > napkins, tea towels etc, kinda boutique-style, with prices to match.
>> > There
>> > are a couple of linen shops in the big city, but what should I be
>> > asking
>> > for? I guess most will suggest 'non-dyed heavy duty linen'. I'd be
>> > surprised
>> > if non-dyed is available, but the question is, does this matter, if
>> > you're
>> > baking at 400F/200C?
>> >
>> > Bertie
>>
>> Fabric store for bulk fabric, not a "linen" store for finished goods.
>
> Perhaps look for undyed 'canvas' at the fabric shop??? IIRC, linen is
> made from flax.
>
> Sky

Looks like there's no need for me to go online for dough proofing linen. I
was in a local shop, that specialises in kitchen equipment. The assistant
showed me lots of 100% cotton cloths and towels. I said I need linen (flax)
as dough sticks to cotton.

"Agh, you mean 'glass linen'" said she. They're 61% linen flax and 39%
cotton and measured 31" x 19". They are made in the Czech Republic and cost
£3 / $4.40 each. Well I bought one, cut it into two pieces and tried it on
some fairly moist dough starter I had in the fridge and it works!!

Obviously you need to dust the contact surface of the linen with some dry
flour first. It has the words 'Linen Union Glass Cloth' written in large
friendly letters. I guess the are handy for drying bar glass and doesn't
leave smears of fluff behind.

They are stiffer than the normal kitchen 'drying towel' but I guess not as
stiff as the couches mentioned by Dee, for baking baguettes. I wonder if
there are any combustion temperature figures on the net, for natural fibers?