Adventures with a banneton proofing basket (brotform)

One of the tools that many use in sourdough bread baking is the banneton proofing basket. This episode details my first attempts at using one. No, it's not all a success, but you learn by your mistakes. Follow along with me as I discuss the banneton, review some of the how and why, and look back at some of my errors. There's always a next time!
The Sourdough Simpleton is designed for the newcomer to the world of Sourdough baking. I am a novice, myself, and am writing this from a perspective that I found hard to find as I navigated the straits of sourdough, encountering terms and techniques along the way that defied a simple explanation. The videos on KZbin are supported by a website, www.sourdoughsimpleton.com, a Facebook Group, bit.ly/FBSourdough, and @sourdoughsimpleton on Instagram.

[@Brenda-nd7bx]

Thank you for the awesome pep-talk. Great job. I sure needed that “great” guidance and information.

[@SourdoughSimpleton]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you post your results to the Facebook page for all to see!

[@AlphaBobFloridaOverlord]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@SourdoughSimpleton]

Glad it was helpful! As you keep using the banneton you gain skill with it!

[@deebrake]

It is so very important to show what might be considered poor results in the beginning; however, mine looked rough in the beginning as well. Everyone learning needs to be very kind to themselves and realize that even though it may look rough ultimately it usually tastes delicious. The fact is that no matter what sourdough is better than most bread with all the additives bought in store. It was another KZbin I watched as I learned who kept saying in the episodes be kind to yourself, give yourself at least a year. It was this advice that helped be keep going. Overall I would say your bread was still edible, yes. Thank you.

[@SourdoughSimpleton]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, several of my recorded bakes came out less than perfect, but that is the reality of sourdough, or any for that matter, baking. My wife bakes cakes, and there is the occasional one that does not come out of the pan, or did not mix well. It happens. But you learn from those occasions and move on. Keep baking, and share your successes and your failures so that others can learn!

[@alexis213ify]

When using a proofing basket, after I turn out the dough, I take a brush and lightly brush off the extra flour. Also I find if I cold proof my dough it’s much easier to score before baking. Also a lame makes the scoring easier to manage.

[@SourdoughSimpleton]

Absolutely. This was my first experience with a banneton, my later videos do show better facility with it! Thanks for your comment. Please check out the other videos in this series, and subscribe to this channel if you've not already. See more on the website, sourdoughsimpleton.com and join the Facebook group at bit.ly/FBSourdough

[@alexis213ify]

@@SourdoughSimpleton I have watched and you helped me very much with my own sour dough journey. I had about 3 months of hockey pucks before I started getting consistent nice risen loafs. I think the first one I saw of yours was your rye loaf. You gave me the courage to try it. It’s my husbands favorite!😉

[@SourdoughSimpleton]

@@alexis213ify Thanks so much for the kind words. I have my share of hockey pucks; have been working on a recipe for the past few months, on and off, that I may try for the camera soon. Watch for it!

[@alexis213ify]

@@SourdoughSimpleton I will. I am obsessed with sour dough. Love making it.

[@flippi333333]

Nice job of explaining everything! Thank you.

[@SourdoughSimpleton]

Thanks, I try to cover the questions that I would ask, or did ask! Please check out the other videos in the channel and subscribe if you've not already. On Facebook at bit.ly/FBSourdough and the web at SourdoughSimpleton.com

[@sandriagutierrez2605]

The basket also wicks away a certain amount of moisture that is beneficial for crust. Can’t be without bannetons. Have them in all shapes, and sizes.

[@SourdoughSimpleton]

Indeed. What I discovered is that the banneton helps form a surface for the dough that can be slashed or manipulated better than one where the proofing basket is not used.

[@avalon449]

The linen thingy isn’t a cover but a liner for the basket........

[@MarcLeavey]

Yes, although you can use the banneton with or without the liner. On my last two videos I used the banneton, much more successfully, with the liner in place. Thanks for the comments, and please do subscribe to the channel, and visit the Facebook page or website.