Proofing and bulk fermenting in warm weather
I've been baking sourdough loaves with a mix of whole grain and white bread flour using Michael Pollan's (Cooked) recipe, which is based on the Tartine's Country Bread recipe. I soak the flour for about 8 to 10 hours, I make a levain and bulk ferment the dough for about 4 hours, folding the dough every 45 minutes. I proof the bread in the fridge for 8 hours. This worked very well, my bread had a mild flavour, not very sour. I stopped baking for two weeks and we went from 75ºF to 86ºF. I baked a loaf that turned out too sour to eat. I tried to make another one and after 2 hours of bulk fermenting it was too sour so I had to throw it away. Is it possible to bulk ferment in the fridge? I'm not so sure about skipping it because the first loaves I've ever made using other recipes didn't include bulk fermenting and they barely had any air pockets. What methods can I use in this horrible warm (and humid, about 80% to 90%) weather? I live in Lima, Perú, this weather is unusual, even more in January (Febraury is always the worst in the summer) so I'm expecting worse weather changes and baking nightmares. Thank you!!
I live in Australia and it's hot but not quite so humid. I do my bulk fermentation in an esky (cooler, ice chest, insulated foam box) in the summer. I usually put reusable ice bricks in the bottom and put the bowl with the bread in with it. You need to experiment with how many ice bricks will give the temperature/time you want. (In the winter I put in a hot water bottle to keep it warm.)
I'd probably also keep the soaker cool as well or shorten the length of the soak. When I soak cracked grain it often takes on a bit of an unwanted smell if I soak it too long--especially in the summer.
Thank you for your advice, it worked wonderfully! Actually, this loaf was the least sour bread I've ever baked (I don't like sourdough bread too sour) and I still got decent air pockets. This saved my confidence, I was about to stop baking until the winter!
Pleased to hear that the cooler trick worked for you. We've been having 40+C days and I've even been mixing with cool water.