Achieving a Deep Brown Crust Colour
I'm turning again to the mecca of bread knowledge for some help. I'm quite happy with how my bread has been turning out lately, especially in my new RackMaster RM2020 oven, but I'm still struggling with getting the ideal crust colour.
I'm very much inspired by Pollen Bakery in Manchester, and this is a photo of one of their loaves: https://imgur.com/gallery/Tr9VW26 [1]
As you can see, the colour is a nice, golden brown, even on the part of the loaf outside of the score opening. In many ways, the whole loaf has an even colour.
Here's a picture of one of my loaves: https://imgur.com/gallery/5ALp9LE [2]
The outside crust is quite charred and blackish, almost burnt looking, while the part inside the score opening is golden brown.
Any advice for how Pollen (and many other bakeries) make their loaves have that nice colour? Is it more steam in the oven? Less? A lower baking temp? I preheat to 270C, down to 220C for the first 20 mins with steam, then up to 250C. I've also tried using diastatic malt powder and that has helped, but not as much all I'd like.
Matt
Hobz Bakery, Edinburgh