That $40 proofing basket I finally caved on after years of towel bowls

I used to just let bread rise in a mixing bowl with a towel over it. Worked fine for over a decade. Last month I dropped $40 on a proper banneton and I gotta say it actually changed my loaves. The scoring is way cleaner and the shape holds better through the oven spring. I still think they are a bit overpriced for what they are. But I can't argue with the results after 12 bakes with it. Anyone else have a tool they resisted forever and then regretted not buying sooner?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_riley18d ago

Yeah the price is steep but a good banneton really does work.

the_faith18d ago

My sourdough starter is named Bartholomew and he's basically a family member at this point, so I get it. @owens.laura I had a similar moment of reckoning when my cheapo oven thermometer broke and I realized I'd been baking at like 50 degrees off for months. Suddenly my crust was actually crispy instead of sad and pale. Funny how spending money on the right stuff makes you feel like you've been doing it wrong the whole time. My wallet is crying but my bread is thriving.

owens.laura18d ago

My 10 year old stand mixer finally bit the dust last month and I spent 4 days hand kneading everything like some kind of pioneer woman cosplayer before I broke down and bought a new one. My arms and back were so sore I could barely lift my coffee mug. Now I'm like oh yeah this is why people spend $300 on a kitchen appliance, it actually works for more than just making frosting.