clay baker - cold oven - why did loaf flatten?
Just baked Mr. Forkish's Overnight White Bread, using a round Sassafrass, 9" banneton (maybe slightly too large for 900 gm dough), and for the first time tried a cold oven start. Substituted 15% fine, freshly ground oat flour. 78% hydration, 13-hour bulk ferment. Nice bubbles, not a slack dough (easily handled); tried to score quickly and deeply. Put loaf on parchment on cold base, scored, put on lid, placed in cold 475 degree oven and didn't peek for 25 minutes. When I removed the lid, the loaf had really flattened (photo failed). Back in the oven and amazingly it rose another 1-12" and browned, but my score lines vanished & are even. I don't think it was overproofed (put in oven before then, no air pocket under the crust, and crust is not wrinkled). I've overproofed a few times and think I did OK this bake.
Did the loaf flatten out somewhat because of a) all the steam created by having the lid on, or b) the cold oven start, or c) ??. Crust is nice and crispy, flavor is good. Would just like the loaf to have retained the height and scoring. All ideas are appreciated!
How do I add more than 1 image for the post?
I get the loaf in sooner before it is ready proofed. about 20 minutes sooner as it will proof more with the rising temps. Helps to use the fan also to get the heat higher quickly.
so .... yes it could be over-proofed.
The scores also look like they were cut to be flat with little or no angle to the cuts. Perpendicular to the loaf surface.
Next time try cutting like you want wood shavings, like you want to take the skin off the surface almost flat to the dough surface. :)
The loaf doesn't look flat. Taking a top shot always tends to flatten the loaf too, got a side shot?
Thanks Mini, you're always so helpful! Cuts were deep and vertical (looked at Hamelman). I've never used a cold oven before, so was guessing on when to add loaf but per finger-dent test it seemed right. Next time I'll decrease proofing to allow more oven rise, and score at an angle. This is why I love FreshLoaf; you all help me understand the process so next time will be better. It's all about the journey, and even imperfect bread tastes good!
I have photos, can't figure out how to add more than 1 per post (a newbie at this). When I do, it deletes the prior photo.
You can only put one photo at the top of your post, but can insert as many as you want in the body of the post. Just position the cursor wherever you want the photo, then click on the little tree icon on the formatting bar (where the buttons for bolding, etc. are). A box (I'll call this box #1) will pop up. Click on the folder icon at the right side of the box that says "Image URL". Another box (box #2) will pop up. Click on "Upload" (yet another box (box #3 pops up), then "Browse". Select the file you want from your hard drive. Then click on "Upload" in box #3. The file will be uploaded to the site server. Close box #3, then click on "Insert File" in box #2. This will take you back to box #1 where you can set the dimensions of the image (shouldn't be more than 800 pixels wide or it will mess up the text formatting of your post). Alternatively you can make the image the appropriate size on your own hard drive before you upload it; this will take up less room on the site server. Anyway, once it is uploaded and the correct size, you can click on "Insert" in the box #1 and the picture should appear in your post. You can do this with as many photos as you like. Hope this helps.
And regarding the bread - I suspect it spread out because the baker and the oven were cold, as it would spread out if you put it on a peel and let it sit there for 15 or 20 minutes. I've never had the nerve to try and put dough straight into a cold oven, so can't help from experience! :)
I add some extra paragraphs with silly words.
like this
and this
maybe this
and then add photos one at a time using the curser to place them before using the "tree" Erase the words later. The other method is after downloading a photo, use the space bar or tab to make a space after the photo to download the next photo.