I like this, very simple... very reusable 

I haven't got into proof boxes yet, is there something they give you that just covering a bowl with plastic wrap doesn't?

"Proofing" would be the stage of fermenting when the loaves have been shaped and they're doing their final rise before getting scored and going into the oven. I wouldn't want to proof a baguette in a bowl!  :-)

:-Paul

Well, towels are reusable, but I do pretty wet doughs and I don't like to pile flour on top to keep the towel from sticking.  I have enough trouble with them sticking to the couche!  Personally, I do ridge about using plastic wrap, but that's just me.  If I were comfortable with plastic wrap I imagine it could do the same job.  The plastic keeps the moisture trapped inside with the loaves so they don't crust over prematurely.  

Mostly it was fun to do and I got inspired by the bakery.

:-Paul

"Personally, I do ridge about using plastic wrap".  I'm not sure what you're trying to say here.

If I ever get to proof box construction it's probably going to be a direct copy of this.  It's just so 'clean', as in, "that car has clean lines"

Thanks.  I'm glad you like the design.  I was quite pleased with it. 

By "ridge" I meant "object to" - like a dog's back "ridges" when it sees something it doesn't like.  I'm a relic of the hippie days; disposable plastic is something I try to avoid when I have a viable alternative.  I'm no saint and I'm not preaching, it's just my own personal way of being. 

:-Paul

Looks good to me,
An advantage a proofing box like this has over covering something with a plastic wrap or towel, is it allows the loaf/baguette to proof without being hindered at all.  Plastic wrap often sticks to whatever container your dough is in, hindering the rising towards the end of the proofing time.  Also, as Pablo said, you're either forced into oiling your plastic wrap/bag or flouring your couche - not always a bad thing, but this keeps another variable out of the equation.  I had something a little more elaborate, but just as functional with a small halogen strip light in it to provide heat.  It worked great when the house was 60 degrees in the winter.

-Mark

http://thebackhomebakery.com

nice idea for a simple dead box

Is that some baker's humour I should be aware of?  I love in jokes.  Clue me in.

:-Paul

For our cold New England winters, I've been using a simple, temperature-controlled proof box constructed from an inverted plastic storage bin, a light bulb (for warmth), a thermometer mounted on suction cups (to monitor the temperature) and an inexpensive reptile cage thermostat with temperature probe (to dial in a constant temperature) available in any pet store.  It's large enough to hold multiple, stacked half-sheet pans:

Proof Box

My wife was even kind enough to sew an insulating cover for me:

Covered Proof Box 

SteveB

www.breadcetera.com

...we're fortunate enough to live in a heated flat.  If anyone is having problems with plastic wrap sticking to the tops of their rising loaves, grease the plastic wrap; this always works for me when I'm making ciabatta.

What's missing is features such as:

• Elevated and rotary control panel, with TFT type 8,6”, rotary bottom for fast and start functions;

• Air temperature control

• Servocontrolled humidity

• Servocontrolled oxygen ;

• Pulse oximeter;

• In-bed scale – 10 kg (optional);

• Parameters trends for monitoring and diagnosis;

• Rotary tray – Auxiliary illumination with high intensity LED’s

They are available on this model:

Baby ... errrr ... Bread Incubator
 David

Nice work. If I were crafty enough I would have done that too - or if I'd seen this post before I bought a cooler that now functions as my proofing box. 

Russ

It's funny, I was just looking at one of those zippered bags the other day after buying some bedding. I hate just throwing them out, but my house is so very full of stuff I hate throwing out that I was just about to shut my eyes and toss it when my husband said "oh just save it, you know you always find something to use those things for."

This is brilliant; I proof loaves under an inverted rubbermaid box, but my mixing bowl doesn't fit. A plate over the bowl works pretty well, but can slide off if someone bumps it and I don't notice. This will take care of both ferment and proofing. I always choke a little too when I use plastic wrap, so I'm deeply grateful!

There's certainly plenty of plywood scraps kicking around my shop (can't throw that away either...)

edh