Making bread question

Gingerbiscuit_2

You know when it says "place bread in warm place to prove" how warm is it supposed to be?? I live in a tiny flat dont have anywarm places, no aircupboard no sunny windowsiles, would it work if I put the oven on for awhile then turned it off and kept it warm?

BitterAndTwisted

What I usually do is to put some hand-hot water in a washing-up bowl and pop the bowl with the dough into it with a clean tea-towel over it. It might be necessary to replace the water once it's gone cool, it depends on how long it takes to prove.

angeltreats

Mine gets proved in the kitchen covered with a teatowel. If the kitchen is warm, it proves quite quickly. If it's not warm, it just takes longer. You can even prove dough overnight in the fridge. You don't need an airing cupboard.

bushie_2

Probably not the cheapest way but I use oiled cling film overvthe top of mine it works better than a tea towel. My kitchen is at the back of the house which is always cooler, doesn't get the sun like the front

thriftlady_2

Bread absolutely does NOT have to rise in a warm place. It will rise anywhere, it just depends how quickly you want it to rise. The slower the better for flavour.

I bake about 8 loaves each and every week and always leave my dough to rise in a bowl on my kitchen counter with a damp cloth over it. I leave it two hours, after which time it has doubled in size.

Gingerbiscuit_2

Wow thats great thank you guys, always says "in a warm place" so I guess it sounded like had to be!!

Seakay

Main thing is that it shouldn't be draughty - hence damp teatowels, cling film etc (I use a hotel shower cap!)
You can prove bread in the fridge overnight if you want to!
For speed, warmth is good.
If it gets to winter and the room is really cold and you want bread that day, then put the oven on it's lowest possible setting for 3 minutes, turn it off again and place the covered bread in there to prove with the door pushed to rather than clicked shut.

[Deleted User]

If you have a microwave you can try this
http://tomotherhoodandbeyond.blogspot.com/2008/01/wfmw-rising-bread-dough.html

When I am in a hurry I actually microwave the dough on very low power for a few seconds then leave for 5 mins. and repeat cautiously checking that the dough is no more than warm and not getting hot. Probably not recommended but it has worked for me!

Otherwise agrre with above posts particularly keep away from draughts by putting bowl in oven for example.

flea72

depends on how much time you have. if you have hours for it to prove, then room temperature is ok

however, i cant wait that long, so i put a mug of water in the microwave and heat for about 2mins til boiling. then put my bowl of dough in the microwave (leaving the cup of hot water in there still) and close the door - within 1/2hr my dough has doubled in size

F

rosie383

My sister-in-law gave me a great tip when making bread in the winter. Put as many tea-towels as you can over the bowl. She said we use lots of blankets to warm ourselves in the winter, so why not do the same for the dough?????????? I do it, and it definitely works a treat :-)