I have recently been baking all my round sourdough loaves in a cast iron pot and had really good results: an excellent crumb and really good crust. Short of a wood fired oven it gives the best results I've ever had.

But one thing I still haven't mastered is how to get dough into the pot without them becoming misshapen loaves. Inevitably, I hit the side of the pot as I tip them in from the banneton, trying not to burn my fingers on the top edges. I shake the pot to give it a semblance of a round load, but it always looks a bit of a mess. It wouldn't be so bad, but I use cane bannetons, so the poor shape is really evident in the finished loaf!

I've thought about trying to use some form of peel, but think I would still have the same problem.

Has anyone found a good technique for getting the dough into the pot without ruining the finished item?

Thanks,

carthurjohn