The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

WW Gas Oven Help

manicbovine's picture
manicbovine

WW Gas Oven Help

I've made a lovely WW dough from some locally grown wheat. It's very cold where I'm at, so this has been a muti-day project. (The dough is perfect as a result!).

Here is my question: I cooked one loaf (just a simple Boule) in a gas oven at 550 degrees; it ended up sticking to the pan and I lost the bottom crust. It stuck, which is totally new to me. The  dough is at 79% hyrdation (common for whole wheat, if you let the dough rest for long enough). Was it the pan, the gas, or what? I will slather the next loaf with a bit of oil.

 

In a previous life, I had a poor electric  oven with uneven spots. I used high temps and unglazed tiles to even things out..... with this high quality gas oven, I'm in a totally different zone.

 

Does anyone have advice for  me?

'

D

Ford's picture
Ford

I like to "slather" the pan and the loaf after I put it into  a loaf pan.  (I like a soft crust.)  I also use a pizza stone in the oven to help keep the temperature even.

If you place the boule on a cookie sheet, lightly dusted with cornmeal, you should have no problem with sticking.  OR, if using a stone, you can place the boule on a peel that has a light layer of cornmeal on it, then it will slide off onto the stone in the oven.

Ford

manicbovine's picture
manicbovine

Thanks, I'll try the cornmeal... I don't know why that idea escaped me given that I use it for very wet dough such as Ciabatta (it is also is great for 100%  Rye). 

 

Thanks for the tip.

 

Whether or not it sticks, it tastes great. I did a 100% hydration Poolish and took advantage of the cold weather to let it ferment very slowly.  I've  got another loaf to bake. It's been sitting in the fridge long enought that I may need to cut it in halve, add flour/water, and let that ferment. If it's springy and smelling wonderful, then I'll know that it's unecessary. 

 

Again, thanks for reminding me.  I had a "mind fart" in forgetting that.