The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Dough sticking to banneton liner towels

DanAyo's picture
DanAyo

Dough sticking to banneton liner towels

I have been baking very wet doughs lately and at times the dough sticks to the towels or liners in the bannetons. I use flour and rice flour. NOTE - I have been making my own rice flour by grinding it myself.

What is the best material to use in the basket?

What is the best flour(s) to use in the liner?

Is grinding regular white rice a problem?

I appreciate your input.

Dan

Lechem's picture
Lechem (not verified)

why not go 100% rice flour? And dust liberally. Prefer too much flour then not enough and a sticky mess.

As for grinding regular white rice... what brand are you using? I'm wondering if it's parboiled.

Portus's picture
Portus

... what about doing without the liner.  Instead, apply a coarser grain such as corn meal or durum wheat to your banneton and hope that during proofing the dough develops a slight skin as it dries; the coarser grain and banneton frame should leave space for air circulation, however slight. Any surplus grain can be lightly brushed off the loaf before loading into the oven. Joe

Lechem's picture
Lechem (not verified)

something non glutinous but coarse grain is also a good idea. Perhaps a mix of cornmeal and rice flour?

HansB's picture
HansB

I normally use only flour but recently added bran that I sift off from home milling. It helped to release easily and added nice texture/flavor too.

bikeprof's picture
bikeprof

need more info on how you are proofing...cold overnight retard?  basket of bowl? towel material (shouldn't have anything too shaggy, like terry-cloth)

there are a ton of threads on this issue, and some have addressed differences based on how baskets are covered, how they are stored in the fridge (if that is what you are doing), etc.

e.g.:

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/40508/less-sticking-bowls

For me, in general, if I get sticking, I add more rice/ap flour mix, and consider how much air the dough can get during the proof (so...not completely sealed).

I regularly do stuff in the high nineties and even over 100% hydration that proof overnight in the fridge...no problems

not.a.crumb.left's picture
not.a.crumb.left

Hi Dan,

As you know I don't go higher than 75% but I use 100 % rice flour and never sticks. I literally rub the flour into the cloth rather than sprinkle it on as I have seen this on a Vanessa Kimbell video somewhere...

Kat

tgrayson's picture
tgrayson

I use plastic bannetons and I've *never* had dough stick. The ones made of natural materials look very nice, but they seem more trouble than benefit.

albacore's picture
albacore

Plastic bannetons (like these) but with a cotton liner. I don't use the cane ones any more because they are not hygienic; beasties and wrigglies love the flour packed voids (which are uncleanable). I'm surprised public health departments permit their use commercially.

If you want natural, the woodpulp brotforms are also good and never stick.

Lance

tgrayson's picture
tgrayson

I see no purpose to a liner of any sort...it just provides more surface area for stuff to stick to. I just scatter a bit of semolina flour on the bottom and I'm not even sure that's necessary.

gerryp123's picture
gerryp123

Had the same stick-to towel problem on several occasions.  Very annoying!

Recently did some baking using banneton replacement -- towel inside a colander.  Used a towel made of coarse linen and sprinkled a generous amount of brown rice flower.   Result was no sticking problem at all.  Really amazing. 

I've heard that any gluten-free flour will probably work as well.  Also, don't wash the towel (or the banneton)  -- just shake off the flour.  Also some types of cotton have numerous tiny side-fibers that will stick.  Best to use linen or muslin.

Harispuru's picture
Harispuru

Hi! 50/50 white rice flour/all purpose wheat 

pmccool's picture
pmccool

because the cotton fibers tend to be a bit 'furrier' than the flax fibers. 

Something else you might want to try.

Paul

DanAyo's picture
DanAyo

Hey Paul, could you check Amazon and send me a link for the proper material? I'm thinking that it would have to be somewhat think.

Thanks,

Dan

cfraenkel's picture
cfraenkel

Hi Dan,

I have a linen liner and it sticks too.  You have to really impregnate the cloth with flour (I use rice) and do it every time.  I have had much better luck just using cheap white rice flour only to dust the banetons. 

Until the time my MIL came to visit and cleaned the bannetons....<sigh> it took me weeks to get them back to their non-sticky state.

agmeneghin's picture
agmeneghin

Dan,

After you suggested using tea towels instead of the liners I was using so I could get more support on the proofing loaf I went to Walmart and for about 3 buck got a package of 4? flour sack towels that have been awesome when used with rice flour. I've been reducing the amount I flour the towels to try to get a more burnished loaf. You might want to try them.

Al

DanAyo's picture
DanAyo

Thanks, Al

I may also try some of the linen that Paul suggested.

agmeneghin's picture
agmeneghin

The cloth is pretty light with a slightly open weave and conforms to the banetton nicely. If I'm retarding overnight I fold two sides over the dough and mist the top of the folds so that the dough doesn't dry out overnight. And the dough gets supported along the top edges like you suggested. 

Al

HansB's picture
HansB

I bought some Flour Sack towels at Target today, 4 for $3.99. I think they'll be perfect.

agmeneghin's picture
agmeneghin

I use a 50/50 mix of rice flour and WW flour and haven't had any problems. I just dry them out between uses and all I need is a tablespoon or two to prep them. Hope they work out for you.

Al

DanAyo's picture
DanAyo

Thanks, Paul. Is this material light (thin) enough to line a banneton?

Dan

pmccool's picture
pmccool

that SFBI uses in their lined bannetons, Dan.  Since I haven't purchased it by the yard, I can't say with absolute certainty. 

Paul

HansB's picture
HansB

I purchased one from SFBI, the couche is very heavy.