Step by Step Baking with Wood Oven
Aloha Bakers, this is my first process photo shoot. I don't like spending the time to take photos while working but I figured if I was going to get any better I had better try. The purpose of this photoshoot is partly for fun, mostly for critique/advice. Also to let me know If Im doing ok and going in the right direction. Thanks for taking time out of your day to check it out.
First things first. My dough mix. Starting with an autolyse, I only had time for about one hour in this batch. 2300g whole wheat flour 2000g water. (Mini, I tried using the 70% amount of 1535 but dough was starting to turn into a rock. It would have been unworkable, so I did a 100g step up until the dough was decently workable. I ended up adding 500g more than the formula) After autolyse: 51g salt 500g starter at 100% hydration.
After mix
after autolyse, taking shape after a few folds. Added salt and starter.
slight stretch after autolyse and fold to see how its doing
added some flour, some folds and ready for bulk ferment
30 min in another fold and some flour
another 30 min and another fold
2 hours later and dough is at 77F and deemed ok for shaping. I attempted to slice 800g chunks.
I went with 4 - 850g boules and 1 - 1600g batard
My technique of S and F. Lightly tug...
and fold over, repeat.
bench rest, flipped this seam side up after photo
bench rest, only long enough until im done with all the loaves
Ok now its time to start a fire while the proof happens. Outdoor setup shown here. Plans to build a roof structure are under way, maybe finish by next year. Small cooler has kindling, big outdoor box has 1x1 and 2x2 inch pieces about 2 ft long.
Wood oven is surrounded by streams
small kindling fire in front to slowly heat up stone
small fire surrounded by side logs and wood house begins taking shape
torch basement of house for 30 sec and first fire takes off
move torch side to side, put torch away and begin taking care of fire.
now fire is ready to be pushed back so another fire can be made in front of it. Stone is around 200F at this point, fire in front
both fires work together to evenly heat up the entire stone, which is near 650 at this point
now I take a moment to look up and see bamboo swaying in the wind
fire going good. Stone around 700F
Time to let fire die down abit and let coals take over, I grab coffee and look out at our back yard swimmin' hole; the Wailua River.
nows about the time i check for weak spots on the stone. Is any spot bare? I put some wood on that spot so there are coals evenly throughout.
getting tools ready for the big moment
coals moved near front. If i dont do this the back of the stone will be about 100F hotter.
After 20 min rest stone is around 650 and its time to clean the floor
ok moving fast now. Stone gets cleaned, goes to about 600F front and back. Loaves are scored and placed, sprayed with water and door is closed.
after about ten minutes I release some steam from the door
Another ten minutes and I notice more steam coming out of chimney, so i take a peek and release more steam.
After some time I take everything out and rotate the loaves. Front loaves go in back and back to front. And thats it! About 40 minutes go by and I bring loaves out to cool by the water.
Thanks for watching.