February 5, 2024 - 12:12pm
Best Bread Baker to Buy?
Hi,
I have an Emile Henry cloche, but want to bake oblong loaves. Can anyone suggest the best option please?
I like the idea of the Emile Henry Artisan Baker:
https://shop.emilehenry.com/en/407-artisan-bread.html#/29-couleur-burgundy
but not sure if it will be too tricky to transfer dough from a banetton.
Would I be better with a flat bottomed general baker like this?
Thanks in advance.
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Here is a video that shows a way to safely turn loaves out of a banneton and into a hot baker. It's not the Emile Henry one, but it should give you some ideas -
https://breadtopia.com/clay-baker/
I would prefer an EH baker over the ones in the video because I think they are less likely to crack and they can withstand larger thermal shocks. But they are more expensive.
Thank you, that’s helpful.
I have a covered ceramic baker that I like. But it depends on what you want it for. They all have different qualities that make them better for some things than others.
I like ceramic for its ability to absorb moisture.
Thank you. Think I’ll go for the EH Artisan baker.
I have the large black round EH. Do you preheat the whole thing for an hour? I wanted to use it but didn't much due to the high energy costs to heat it.
I preheat for about 40 mins with the round cloche, which seems to work okay.
Viking Culinary 3-Ply Stainless Steel Oval Roasting Pan, 8.5 Quart, Includes Metal Induction Lid & Rack, Dishwasher, Oven Safe, Works on All Cooktops including Induction https://a.co/d/d1rKt84
It"s versatile. It holds 1 large or 2 small pans if you want to steam a pan loaf, or you can put a big batard in there on a sheet of parchment or on a bed of semolina. It heats up fast, is reversible, and does a great job holding steam. You can preheat or put it in cold. I like to set it cold on a preheated pizza stone.
Plus you can also use it for soup, stews, casserole, roasting a turkey, braising a brisket, etc. You can use the shallow pan on the bottom or the deep pan. Did I mention it's versatile?
It's not the usual choice but I love it.
The disadvantage is that it doesn't give direct support to the loaf of bread, if you wanted something to help the bread hold its shape you would need to set that pan inside this one.
Thank you for this.