The Fresh Loaf

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Lava rock generated steam.

Ric Snapes's picture
Ric Snapes

Lava rock generated steam.

Hey people!

 

I saw a video of a guy throwing water onto hot lava rocks to steam an oven. It looks like a very promising technique. Obviously the dutch oven seems the best method to date, but has anyone tried this lava rock method? What did you find?

 

Ric

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

use it.  I reheat my oven to 550 F.  When it hits 500 I put a large Pyrex pan with lava rocks covering the bottom and the pan half full of water.  By the time the oven hits 550 F the steam is billowing .  Do not put you face near the door when you open it and burn yourself.  Throwing water on hot lava rocks requires a metal pan as glass will break but the steam will be gone in a minute and you want it last for 12 minutes at least,.  After the bread goes in turn the oven down to 475 F for steaming.  Heating to 550 F also allows the baking stone which lags the oven temp to catch up. 

Another steaming method I use are Sylvia's steaming pans.  Fill a pan half full of water and then roll up a kitchen towel and put it in the pan.   Put it in the oven 12 minutes before it hits it's preheat temperature just like above in my case yours may vary slightly.  Once the bread goes in the oven temp is reduced.

Both methods provide great steam - just stand back when opening the door of the oven. 

Happy baking

Ric Snapes's picture
Ric Snapes

Well, I will give it a go at the weekend. Thanks for your advice.