Anyone know where to buy those "beans" or "stones" for making tart crusts?

Question

Is it really necessary to use those? Is there such thing as "MAKING TARTS FOR DUMMIES"?

Answer 1

the best place i've ever encountered for baking supplies is surlatable.com It has everything for the experianced and novice chef and baker. It's a great website and not too expensive like williams sanoma.

However, you can simple buy beans like the dried variety from your grocery store. Goto the bulk section and buy black beans. When you blind bake (backing a tart shell without filling) put a layer of foil on your tart then top with beans and bake as you normally would. Make sure you dock your crusts(piercing with a fork in a uniform pattern over the bottom to prevent large bubbles) and do not use the beans for anything else. Let cool and store in a air tight container. Will last for years and is the cheapest method.

Answer 2

Use any dried bean that you have in your home. If you are making a whole Pie just fill your pie shell with dried beans. If you are making tarts, make bean bags out of dried beans wrapped in Saran Wrap. After baking save your beans for the next time you bake. It's OK to put Saran Wrap in the oven if you are baking under 300. I Blind Bake my Pie Crust at 375 with Saran Wrap bean bags all the time. I usually use great norther white beans because I usually have them on hand. I also have the weights designed for Blind Baking from Williams Sonoma and never use them.

Answer 3

The beans used are usually regular dried beans I don't know about the stones. But the beans are the kind you can buy in the stores.

Answer 4

Just put grease-proof paper in the unbaked crust and fill with rice or dried beans. (Don't cook the rice / beans for supper!, re-use it.)

Answer 5

you can just use rice if you like - just pour it out over the pastry and put it in the oven. Then when its cooked pour the rice into a jar and just re-use it over and over whenever you bake pastry. Rice is a great, cheap alternative and does the job perfectly!

Answer 6

You can use any beans or ball bearings purchased from the hardware store.

Answer 7

just by any dried bean in the bag at the supermarket.. you could even use rice....dried chick peas work well also.

Answer 8

you can buy pie weights from William-sonoma, or you can use any raw hard beans from the supermarket

Answer 9

you can use rice to stabilize pie crusts. they won't burn.

Answer 10

i have no freaking clue