A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Use a Wood Pulp Banneton

Wood pulp bannetons are designed for proofing (fermenting) dough, not for baking

How to Use a Wood Pulp Banneton: A Step-by-Step Guide

For nearly two centuries, bread tins (proofing baskets or bannetons) have been a baker’s trusted tool. Our company, Crust&Craft (it was called Brotformen than), began this journey in 1847, initially crafting molds from natural materials like straw.

Later, rattan became popular, but its ecological impact raised concerns. In 1920, we made a decisive shift toward sustainability by embracing wood pulp. The feedback from the customers has also played an impact in the choice of switching the production to wood pulp bannetons.

Wood pulp offers the ideal blend of tradition and environmental responsibility. We source it exclusively from fresh spruce wood grown in sustainably managed forests.

How to use a wood pulp banneton
How to Use a Wood Pulp Banneton

Why Use a Wood Pulp Banneton?

Hand-made wood pulp bannetons offer several advantages for bakers of all levels, especially those baking at home. Here’s why they’re an excellent choice:

  • Superior Heat Retention: Wood pulp helps maintain a stable temperature during the dough’s rise, essential when you may not have access to a dedicated proofer.
  • Effortless Dough Release: The smooth surface of wood pulp prevents dough from sticking, unlike the grooves in rattan bannetons.
  • Optimal Moisture Management: Wood pulp’s natural absorbency helps regulate moisture for optimal dough fermentation.
  • Easy Cleaning: Cleaning a wood pulp banneton is a breeze compared to more intricate rattan designs.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Yes, it is possible to have deviations of the dimensions of our bannetons as our products are hand-made individually.

Do you own a bakery? Are you a corporate client?

If you are in the E.U., you will able to buy without VAT and have the best prices for our wood pulp bannetons.
You want more details and place a special order? You can contact our team of specialists.

Tested by bakers for over 100 years
How to Use a Wood Pulp Banneton

Preparing Your Banneton (First Use)

01.

Ready to use

Your hand-made banneton arrives ready to use! Give it a quick brush to remove any stray wood fibers.

Not mandatory: To ensure your banneton is hygienic, you can place it in your shut down oven at 100 – 120 degrees Celsius (around 210 – 250 degrees Fahrenheit) for a short time, using the residual heat after baking other items. This kills off any potential bacteria or microorganisms.

02.

Brush and Dust

Once cool, give your banneton a quick brush to remove stray fibers, then generously dust the inside with flour or potato starch. This creates a non-stick layer and helps the dough release easily later.

03.

Superior Moisture Control

If you have a linen liner for your banneton, place it inside before adding the dough. This adds an extra layer of protection and helps with dough removal.

You can choose the appropiate linen for your wood pulp banneton from the Cloth for Banneton on our webshop.

Using Your Banneton for Proofing sourdough dough

Crust&Craft's Wood pulp bannetons are designed for proofing (fermenting) sourdough dough, not for baking.

Shape Your Dough

After your initial kneading, shape your dough into your desired form.

Place in Banneton

Gently place the shaped sourdough dough into the prepared banneton, seam-side up.

Cover and Proof

Cover the banneton with a banneton cloth or normal cloth to prevent drying. Allow the dough to proof according to your recipe.

Ready to Bake

When the dough has risen and passes the 'poke test' (a gentle press leaves a slight indentation), it's ready for baking.

Tested by bakers for over 100 years
How to Use a Wood Pulp Banneton

After Use: Cleaning and Storing Your Wood Pulp Banneton

01.

Harness Residual Heat for Drying

After each use, place your banneton in a warm, well-ventilated area to dry completely. You can again utilize the residual heat of your oven (at the same temperature as before) to speed up drying and eliminate lingering moisture that could lead to mold.

02.

Dry Cleaning Only

Once fully dry, brush out any excess flour with a clean, dry brush. Our specially designed brushes with extended bristles are ideal for this job. All our brushes are produced by other companies in Germany.

You can choose the appropiate linen for your wood pulp banneton from the Brush for Banneton on our webshop.

03.

Proper Storage

Stack completely dry bannetons inside each other for space-saving storage. Choose a dry, well-ventilated area.

Heading icon left

Our Best Sellers

Heading icon right

€ 6,18 excl. VAT / € 7,35 incl. VAT

€ 6,28 excl. VAT / € 7,47 incl. VAT

Heading icon left

Our Blog

Heading icon right
2 2

Crafting Excellence from Sustainable Wood Pulp

Our commitment to quality has stood the test of time for over a century. From the groundwood, we create a versatile pulp that forms the core of each bread form. Through the application of high pressure, excess water is meticulously extracted, resulting in a compacted fiber material that becomes the foundation of our bannetons.

Read More »