The Fresh Loaf

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Sourdough not rising while baking

d_reddy's picture
d_reddy

Sourdough not rising while baking

Hi all,

Ive been baking sourdough for a while now and while I learn about my starter, flour, proofing time and scoring with every loaf, one issue that repeatedly occurs is the spreading out of the dough at the score. My dough just refuses to rise up. 

These are the measurement I follow:

325gms organic white flour

12 gms vital wheat gluten (I live in a country where we dont get strong flours)

247gms water

9 gms salt

65 gms starter

I autolyse the flour, gluten and water for 3 hours, add in the starter, 30 min rest then the salt. 

After 30 mins, I do a stretch and fold in the bowl, 30 min rest then a lamination

Post the lamination, I do 4 coil folds, storing the dough in the refrigerator for 15 mins of the 30 mins resting to avoid over proofing during the bulk fermentation. (I live in a place that's warm throughout the year)

Next I do a pre-fold and then the final fold while gently knocking out some air during the fold. 

I proof the dough of 12-14 hours( at 6c)

Starter:

I store my starter in the refrigerator. The prior to making my bread, I feed it 3 times during the day and the leave the last feed overnight, the next day, I feed it one more time which I use as my levain when it has peaked. 

I feed my starter with a mix of organic white flour, whole wheat flour, ragi flour and 2% vital wheat gluten

Baking:

I bake my bread on a hot baking sheet with a dish inverted on top to retain steam. 

Any suggestions/ advice would be highly appreciated.

Thank You

BaniJP's picture
BaniJP

Since the crumb and crust look really great (no signs of under- or overproofing) and I don't see anything wrong with your recipe or process, I think it's more a shaping issue. Though it is more difficult to shape a dough of higher hydration (yours is 77%), it is possible. But I can't recommend you really any specific technique, there are so many out there. On YT you should find enough help with "high hydration dough shaping" (or something like that).

Also you don't need to knock out any gas during folding or shaping, you spent so long building up those gas bubbles.

d_reddy's picture
d_reddy

Thank you for your comment, I've been wondering if my dough was going flat because I was over proofing but I'm very confident that against it, so it has been a dilemma that you've now finally put to rest. As for the shaping, I will definitely look up some additional information on this topic. 

DanAyo's picture
DanAyo

A cross cut slice may show us more information. I would like to see the profile of the slice.

Danny

d_reddy's picture
d_reddy

Unfortunately, I haven't taken any pictures of the loaf other than this one. But I will make another loaf this weekend and if the same problem persists (hopefully not), I'll post pictures of that.

Also, I must say, ever since I started my sourdough journey, I've been a regular to the forum and have found good advice on numerous topics and a lot of that has been from your comments. The information that you put out has really helped me grow in my sourdough journey, so thank you for that. 

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

try this... drop an egg white into your water measuring cup and then fill to make 247g. See what this does to pull the matrix proteins together.  :) 

d_reddy's picture
d_reddy

That sounds really interesting, I've near heard of adding egg white to strengthen gluten. You've intrigued me and now I must make a loaf. I'll make one over the weekend and let you know how that goes.