In the past, proofing was done by covering tightly with a clean cloth and leaving the dough to sit for long minutes or even hours.
This would end up wasting a lot of time and meant that bread and other yeast product pastries could not be prepared for hours because of the time required to proof it.
The ovens bread proof setting aims to reduce the time it takes for the yeast to propagate.
In this article, we will discuss all the proofing functions in your oven, how to proof bread in your oven, and the best method of proofing bread dough at home.
What is Bread Proof Setting on Oven?
The bread-proof setting is the oven setting that makes it possible to activate the yeast present in bread or other pastries with an oven. Ovens come with multiple functions and this is a very welcome addition.
A lot of people have a setting on their appliances that they don’t know about or aren’t taking advantage of. The proof setting is one of them. Before you try to proof bread in an oven you must ensure that your oven has a proof setting. Most oven temperatures are between 70-115°F when the homemade bread is proofing.
Hearing about this feature can be really exciting but as expected, not all oven types have this setting which means you cannot proof your bread dough in an oven without the proof setting, except you want to consider other methods.
Recommended Bread Proofing Set
Why Do We Need to Proof Bread?
Proofing is usually required for recipes that call for yeast. This is essentially a necessity for all yeast pastries and breads. It is very important to proof bread before baking because this is what would normally determine the texture of the bread or pastry after baking.
Proofing is the process of activating the yeast in a pastry or dough thereby giving it an opportunity to rise before baking.
Proofing is a very integral part of baking because most of the rising process in a dough usually happens during proofing.
3 things must be put in place before proofing dough can be effective
- Fresh Yeast
- Sugar
- Temperature
In the right temperature, the yeast is activated and a fermentation process begins causing the dough to increase in size.
Usually, not all yeast fermentation processes are called proofing, proofing is usually reserved for the fermentation process immediately before baking.
How To Use the Proof Setting?
For the ovens that have a dedicated settings for bread-proofing, you can use the following simple guide.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Depending on what you want to make, it might take a couple of minutes.
Some dough also require more kneading time than others. Also some recipes also recommend their kneading times. Ensure that your dough is properly kneaded.
Step 2: Put in a Pan
Once the dough is ready to proof, put in an oven safe pan.
Step 3: Put in the Oven and Proof
Move the pan into the oven and proof dough for about 15 minutes. Some ovens may automatically set the time for you.
15 minutes is only an average time. Depending on your type of dough, you might be required to wait a little longer or shorter.
Step 4: Take it Out / Bake
Take out your dough and bake. You an also knead your dough before baking.
What if Your Oven DOES NOT have Bread Proof Setting
Most ovens do not have a dedicated bread-proof setting that you can simply select.
If you do not have such settings, then you manually use the Boiling Water method for bread proofing.
The Boiling Water Method
This is as very simple method whereby you can create the ideal temperature and humidity of the yeast to activate.
To do this
- Take an oven proof pan and fill it with BOILING water (about 3 glasses)
- Place this boiling water filled pan in the bottom rack of your oven.
- Take and another oven proof pan and place your dough in it.
- Place the second pan in the middle rack.
- Close the oven door
- Turn the heat to 400 degree Fahrenheit for about a minute or so.
- Turn off the heat and let both pans sit inside the oven.
- The amount of time you let the dough sit inside would depend upon how much time is stipulated in your recipe
Make sure that no plastic cover or sheets are placed inside the oven when it is turned on in step 6.
An oven acts like dough proof box. Hence you don’t need a dedicated bread proof box or any over or any container.
Let the humidity and the temperature inside do the work.
Recommended Bread Proofing Set
Is the Boiling Water Method the Same as the Auto Proof Setting?
Most times, people tend to mistake the proof setting for the boiling water method of proofing.
Obviously they are not the same as there are instances that the boiling water method might not work. Boiling temperature water is put on the lowest rack of the oven while the dough is put on an higher rack, the oven temperature is then set and the dough is left to proof for a few minutes
Boiling water in an oven to proof a batch of dough is only necessary If your oven doesn’t come with a bread proof setting.
The boiling water approach is a more rugged approach to the proofing process and might not necessarily all the time.
There are many variable like the speed at which your oven reaches a certain temperature, the size of your oven, how much humidity is achieved inside etc.
The dedicated proof setting in an oven is automatically design to create the most suitable environment using sensors. Some ovens even have humidity and temperature sensors to achieve the best environment.
Difference Between Manual Proofing and Oven Proof Setting
Ease
When an oven comes with a proof setting, you do not need to go through all the nitty gritty details of achieving perfection.
There is not need to boil the water, place the pans etc.
All you need to do is place the dough and turn the bread-proof setting on.
Predesigned
An oven proof setting is usually designed by the manufacturer of the oven, therefore there are specific instructions on how to use it. It does not require much guesswork as the controls are premeditated and already on the oven.
On the other hand, the boiling water method is usually used when there are no other options. If you didn’t know much about it before, exploring might not yield your desired results.
Effectiveness
Manual methods like boiling water method, bread-proof box may not always be effective. This is especially true if you are new to baking.
On the other hand, if you use an oven proof setting, it will most likely work if you follow the manual.
Conclusion
In this article, we learnt about what is bread proof setting on oven. This setting is mostly found on modern ovens so if your oven does not have one you can consider other options to proof your dough and pastries.
Finally to check if your oven has a bread proof setting, simply check all the controls and their functions.
If you don’t find one that, expressly reads “proof”, your oven might not have one and you might have to consider other options.
FAQs
1. What does bread proof mean on oven?
Proofing (alternatively spelled proving) is a step in the preparation of yeast bread and other baked goods that involves allowing the dough rise and to rest one final time before baking. During this period of rest, yeast ferments the dough and produces gases, leavening it.
2. What is the proofing temperature for bread?
What is the optimal temperature for proofreading? Between 26C (75F) and 36C is the ideal temperature for proofing bread (97F). Cooler temperatures are frequently used for artisan bread, extending the fermentation time. When making lighter-tasting bread, warm temperatures are used.
3. Can I use my oven to prove bread?
Yes, indeed! When it's a little chilly inside, our preferred method of proofing bread is to pop the dough in the oven. Furthermore, you will not be turning it on! To proof bread in the oven, fill a glass baking dish halfway with boiling water and place it on the bottom oven rack of the oven.
4. Do you cover bread when proofing in oven?
Yes, you need to cover the top of the sandwich loaf if you're making one to prevent it from drying out. During baking, the top will remain moist and flexible, which is necessary for an adequate oven spring.
5. How long do you proof bread in the oven?
Maintain a closed oven door for the duration of the proofing time specified in your recipe. For instance, the first rise should last between 1-½ to 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size, and the second rise should last 30 minutes. Certain recipes call for two or even three proofs prior to bread baking.
You don’t really say explicitly what to do if your oven does not have a “Proofing” feature. Couldn’t I just put it into an oven between 70-115°F
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The lowest temp on a standard oven is 115, making it too warm for proofing. I have always put bread to rise in my oven with the oven light on. That said, I’d love to have an oven with a proofing feature, but they are hard to find.
I start preheating my oven to the lowest it will go (mine is at 170) and let it warm until I am ready to proof then turn it off and put in a bowl of water(I’ve used warm to cold water with little change to the bread), and keep the door closed for the proof time. When I was 4000 ft it took about 20-30 minutes to proof what a recipe said would take an hour to rise in a warm room. I recently moved to 6000 ft not sure if it affects the timetable or not.
when proofing the loaves of bread when do you start the pre heating of the oven to bake.
Great feature but would have like some suggestions as to which ovens have a bread proofing capability.
Samsung gas or electric ranges at any appliance store have bread proofing settings on them. I am using mine right now. Just shop they’re easy to find.
Samsung gas or electric ranges at any appliance store have bread proofing settings on them. I am using mine right now. Just shop they’re easy to find.
I just bought a Samsung 6.3 cu ft smart wi-fi range at Home Depot with this feature. I haven’t gotten it yet so I can’t comment on how it works. But I saw other ranges with that feature too in my search.
What if you are proofing a long yeast bread- I’ve a recipe for a no knead 1st rise 16-28 hours. Second is 1-2 hrs. How do I manage my oven proof for this amount of time? I have an electric one and it is at 100.