Are proofing baskets really necessary?

alexblyth

Hi all

Just starting my first sourdough today and I dont have any proofing (proving?) baskets. I figure that I can just use a large baking pan, tea towels and some old school rulers to divide the pan into thirds that are roughly the same size as the baskets advertised for sale on this site. So my question is, apart from the asthetic reasons, do I really need to invest in proofing baskets? Also, is there a difference between the cane ones and the plastic ones Ive seen on other sites (http://www.basicingredients.com.au/pbx)?

Thanks in advance

Alex

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Replies

Alie0Bronwynn 2010 March 6

Hi Alex,

So I've used Proving Baskets and not used proving baskets.  I think that I get a better form when I use the proving baskets, but ever since I got this pan for my loaves, this is what i mostly use.  http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/goldtouch-nonstick-french-bread-...|4|1||4|bread||0&cm_src=SCH   Other than that, I use regular bowls for when I want to make bread bowls and then my proving baskets when I want a specific looking loaf.

 

So - in the end I'd say I found proving baskets better than regular pans with tea towels and items to keep the bread propped up, but I found that pan and bowls to work better than the proving baskets.

 

In the end, I feel like Sourdough is all about testing things, you know?

 

Good luck!

 

alexblyth 2010 March 6

Thanks alie0bronwynn

[quote=Alie0Bronwynn]

In the end, I feel like Sourdough is all about testing things, you know?

[/quote]

Good point about testing or experimenting with what I'm doing. Just knocked together my makeshift proofing rig - Ill post pics later.

Ill pass judgement on it after I bake tomorrow.

Cheers

Alex

Dyer Baker's picture
Dyer Baker 2010 March 10

[quote=alexblyth] Good point about testing or experimenting with what I'm doing. Just knocked together my makeshift proofing rig - Ill post pics later.

Ill pass judgement on it after I bake tomorrow.

Cheers

Alex

[/quote]

 

Hi alex, any more info on proofing rig ?

 

I started to proof in a " turtle " basket as you can see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47414261@N07/4378613468/

but later on, as I started to make wetter doughs, I swithced to a regular bowl, as you can see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47414261@N07/4417087388/

So far, both worked great.

 

Happy baking,

iulian

 

 

Scott Tennell 2020 May 15

How do you keep it from sticking in a bowl during the proofing process? 

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