The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Proofing Bowl

wtharvey's picture
wtharvey

Proofing Bowl

Does anyone have recommendations for bowls that are good for mixing, but that also have lids good for proofing/fermenting? I'd like to cut down on plastic wrap, but also don't want to buy something that doesn't seal or just isn't as advertised.

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

I see plastic lidded kitchen/mixing  bowls (rounded side/bottom) in the kitchen section of my grocery  (Kroger), Big Lots, and Tuesday Morning stores here in the US.  Pyrex, other brand borosilicate, and stainless steel.

wtharvey's picture
wtharvey

I'm in CA, but haven't had much luck. A lot of our targets/walmarts tend to be on the out-of-stock side in the kitchen dept. I didn't think about Tuesday Morning though- I'll give them a go! Thanks!

gerhard's picture
gerhard

I use a damp tea towel to cover the bowl it seems to work well.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

You can buy caps that look like shower caps ( they probably are shower caps, but they say food safe )  bowl covers   The advantage is that if you do an autolyse, you can put the cap over the bowl of your mixer.  For bulk ferment, I like round straight sided clear canisters -  it saves me from having to use an aliquot jar to determine the volume increase. 

wtharvey's picture
wtharvey

Thanks for the rec! These do look quite easy to use (a lot better than me trying to secure rubber bands over plastic wrap too)!

wtharvey's picture
wtharvey

Cotton or linen? I have a linen towel that I've tried to use, but I find that the dough still develops more of a skin than I'd like and assumed it was just because I couldn't seal it enough.

gerhard's picture
gerhard

but the tea towels my wife has are cotton, had to check the little tag this morning. I suppose air flow in the fridge and size of container make a difference as to development and thickness of skin. 

BXMurphy's picture
BXMurphy

Hey, wtharvey,

I'm a big fan of Goodwill or Salvation Army or any thrift store for odds and ends. Good stuff cheap.

Dabrownman turned me on to this.

Relatives clean out estates and drop off some of the most incredible things not even knowing how useful they are to bakers like us.

Browse often to get a feel for the layout (and stuff you've already seen) and find the next gem. It's wild!

Get some baskets for shaping and proofing, at least!

I'm on the hunt for a combo cooker...

Murph

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

Just FYI, Goodwill now employs "pickers" who take the better stuff from the donations, take pictures, and put them online for auction.

see https://www.shopgoodwill.com/

Granted, good stuff and lots of bargains still make it through to regular GW stores and Goodwill Outlet stores. I'm a big fan of the Outlet stores.

BXMurphy's picture
BXMurphy

Tsk. You're right... I just read up on that. It never occurred to me... plus all the other shoppers who do the same with even the leftovers... but use eBay instead.

There goes THAT gauzy dream...

I'm glad I posted. Thanks for pointing out the reality.

Now I know why I'm only seeing all those stupid Easter baskets and cheap, florist vases. Sigh... :)

Murph

wtharvey's picture
wtharvey

Thanks for the ideas though! the goodwill auction site has a ton that I wouldn't have looked at otherwise!

Benito's picture
Benito

I used to use plastic wrap but wasn’t happy about all the plastic wrap I was going through.  I purchased plastic shower caps and now reuse them over and over.  I even use them to cover the banneton loosely when it is in the fridge for the 1 day cold retard.  I no longer use one use plastics as much and can choose any bowl for mixing and bulk fermentation.  In fact, I like to use a square Pyrex dish for bulk and I’ve not seen those with a lid so the shower caps work well.

Benny

wtharvey's picture
wtharvey

Thanks for the idea! 

cfraenkel's picture
cfraenkel

seriously.  They work great, fit in the fridge, and you get to eat a bunch of ice cream first.  What's not to love? ;-)

wtharvey's picture
wtharvey

Although I'd probably have to buy a new size of jeans if I used this method, I love it! haha

tony's picture
tony

Most of the time I cover my fermenting dough in a heavy white ceramic bowl I got years ago with a heavy white ceramic plate that happens to fit nicely. Sometimes it slips to one side a few mm so the seal is nil. If I'm using a smaller ceramic or stainless steel mixing bowl the plastic bags we get at the co-op to bring home all purpose flour, rolled oats, and such from the bulk department do a good job of covering and do not involve adding yet more eternal plastic to the world that I've already done with my bulk purchase.