The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

The Final Rise

October 21, 2010 - 3:58pm
probably34's picture
probably34

The Final Rise

I've been baking Chad Robertsons basic country bread at home and have had really good results. During the final rise the loaves only seem to increase in size by maybe 50%. This takes about 4 hours. Once in the oven, however, they spring very nicely. I'm pretty new to naturally leavened breads so im not sure if this is common or not. Is this how it all works? In Robertson's book, he only says to proof the loaves for 2 to 4 hours. He doesn't mention any expansion requirement. Does anyone have words for me?

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Nickisafoodie's picture
Nickisafoodie
Oct 21 2010 - 5:35pm

there are lots of variables:

  1. the type of flour: 100% rye ferments faster than other grains- I get a fully activated starter 4-5 hours after feeding my base culture.  Others report 8- 12 hours if using white flour or conditions that are not otherwise optimal.  This is not to say that you can't get a 5 hour ferment with white flour, but all things being equal rye will ferment quicker due to beneficial enzymes that are not present in other flour types.
  2. the build time matters: building stage one from 50 grams to 200 over five hours, then adding enough water and flour to build up to 500 grams total will give a better result than starting with 50gr and adding 450 of flour and water (at your target hydration percentage)
  3. temperature - on the counter at 70° vs. say in the oven with the light on creating a nice 78° environment for those little happy bacteria cells
  4. the percentage of pre-ferment in the recipe - 5% vs 20%, the latter clearly having more cells to start working on the rest of the mix after kneading, etc.

There is more others are sure to add, meanwhile it sound like you are having great results!!!

Trishinomaha's picture
Trishinomaha
Oct 22 2010 - 5:23am

I'd never thought about the build time. I've just been feeding it, waiting for it to double and using it. I'm thinking I should put a little more thought into the building of the starter before using it. I've had some problems with my rising and this may be one of them The starter is very vigorus and always doubles for me but perhaps a couple of days of building rather than 4 or 5 hours might be better?

Trish

Nickisafoodie's picture
Nickisafoodie
Oct 22 2010 - 6:32am

Try the extended build times.  I've stopped using commercial yeast and get better results, more flavor and more easily digested bread. 

Build stage one above for 5 hours (50gr to 250gr or so, or approx 15% of your recipe).  Then build stage two targeting another 20-25% of the recipe to a total of 45-50%.  Let that go overnight or at least 8 hours.  Add the remaining ingredients, mix until incorporated.  Let rest 30 minutes, then knead dough for 6 minuites.  Let rise covered in oven w light on for 2.5 hours with one gentle stretch and fold half way through.  Preshape loaves, cover with plastic wrap on board, let rest 20 minutes.  Shape final loaves by tucking in all edges to center so dough is deflated and stretched, turn over and round loaf and place in basket top side down (plastic colander or bowl works too) lined with a floured dinner napkin (a few dollars next to the tablecloths at you favorite store- synthetic material is best).  Place each basket in a large plastic bag and refrigerate for 8-15 hours.  Remove from fridge, preheat oven and stone for one hour at 470°.  By now the loaves are well risen.  Put a piece of parchment paper on top of the bowl/basket, then holding both, invert so dough is on the parchment, gently remove napkin.  Slash, and bake.  Steam oven at loading, and three times four minutes apart (I open the oven door quickly, and throw one third cup of water on the floor, do not hit lightbulb!), then quickly shut the door.  Bake 45-55 min depending on size of loaf.  I like sticking a probe themometer into the bread, until internal temp is 202°.  So 2 and 1/2 days total time to make this!!!  But you will get a nice very nice well developed and complex flavor, with more than typical sour- guaranteed to blow the doors off of a one day bake.  Shorten ferment times at all stages for less sour...

 

 

coffeetester's picture
coffeetester
Oct 22 2010 - 12:04pm

I have a remote thermometer I use for BBQ. Is there any reason why I cannot use the same one for baking. That way I make 1 hole in the loaf. Since I am just starting up I want to get timing down.

LindyD's picture
LindyD
Oct 22 2010 - 3:27pm

A probe thermometer works fine at the grill as well as on bread and in determining the water temp (an important factor = see dough temperature).

coffeetester's picture
coffeetester
Oct 22 2010 - 2:06pm

So when a recipe calls for 2 cups starter and calls for 300 grams water and 500 grams flour we should divide those two up and add them in stages so that the starter does not get clobbered. Is there a general rule of thumb to follow or am I going down the wrong path.

Nickisafoodie's picture
Nickisafoodie
Oct 22 2010 - 2:49pm

use the search box for 1 2 3.  essentially you divide the recipe into 6.  stage 1 is 1/6th or 16.7%, stage 2 adds 2/6th, or adds 33.4% to stage one resulting in 50% being used.  Final stage adds all of the rest... 

Use 100% hydration ratio in stage one (equal weights not volume of water and flour).  Stage 2 can be thicker making the entire batch of 50% like oatmeal, all of the rest going into stage 3.

Works very well!

hanseata's picture
hanseata
Oct 23 2010 - 2:14pm

Without getting too scientific about the whole thing:

Whole grain breads and transitional whole grain/white flour breads usually should rise 1 1/2 times their original size during the final rise.

White breads, depending on the recipe, should rise 1 1/2 times to twice their original size. They are sufficiently proofed when a dent made with your finger doesn't close, but comes back only very little, if at all.

Watching your dough is better than any anxious watching of the clock!

Karin