February 24, 2024 - 7:09am
Challenger bread pan alternatives?
I’m currently using a baking stone and cloche for baking my sourdough loaves. I’d like to make some batards, but they won’t fit under my cloche (it’s strictly boules only!).
I’ve been eyeing the challenger pan, but the size and cost are making me look at alternatives. I’d like to be able to do two loaves at a time in my oven and from what I’ve read, that’s not possible with the challenger.
Are there any good alternatives out there? Something like this has possibilities, but I wish it had a flat bottom.
Thanks,
Chris
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I used a cheap enameled roaster (like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Vintage-Speckled-Covered-Roaster/dp/B09HVBY4VQ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER) for a LONG time. Inverted over the loaf on a stone, and it worked perfectly. You don't really need the CI mass if you are baking on a fully heated stone, so save yourself the bucks, and get a cheap roaster.
Rich
Thanks Rich, I’ll look into that. How deep is the roaster you use? The one in the link you shared looks a little shallow.
Mine is 4 5/16", measured on the outside from bottom to top of lip. The link was just the first one I found as an indicator of what I use, I'm sure you can find various sizes, and even shapes. The main thing for me was that it wasn't as expensive as regular cast iron, and certainly not as expensive as specialty cast iron, AND it works great.
Worth mentioning that these types of roasters seem to show up frequently at thrift/second-hand stores for very cheap if you have the inclination.
Rich
I have the same roaster. When I use it to bake, I don't even use a stone and start baking in a cold oven. The picture below is a 1 kg loaf baked under such conditions - it has an excellent crust and aroma. YippeeOn sale at Walmart:
Granite Ware 18" Covered Oval Roaster, 15 Pound Capacity, Roasting Pan https://www.walmart.com/ip/17209152
Yippee
Weighs about 22lbs/10kg, not for the diminutive. That's a 1/3 steam table tray and a 4lb loaf, for reference.
I have a similar one from Camp Chef, also under $100. The Camp Chef one is discontinued, but this one looks almost identical. These are good to use upside down.
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