K, this is an embarrassed cry for help. I've been baking bread
for many years, but lately many of my loaves come out with large
air bubbles just under the top crust. Am I kneading too much, or
too little?
Maybe the bread is getting shaken just a little, because to warm
up the oven the grill comes on and I can't pan raise in the oven.
So I have to transfer fully raised loaves from the table and as
careful as I can be they get shaken just a bit. Also the problems
seems to be less what I bake bread with white flour. When I use
about a cup and a half of rolled oats and about 30% whole wheat
with a touch of molasses, I always seem to get big bubbles and
denser bread near the bottom. Years ago I used to make the same
recipe with no problem.
Advise would be appreciated.

--
Regards,
Fred.
(Please remove FFFf from my email address to reply, if by email)

Fred Williams wrote:

K, this is an embarrassed cry for help. I've been baking bread
for many years, but lately many of my loaves come out with large
air bubbles just under the top crust. Am I kneading too much, or
too little?

It's most likely overproofed. Shorten your final rise time
slightly. If the dough is a bit flabby by the time
you bake it you may get the large pockets you describe,
especially near the surface.

--
Reg email: RegForte (at) (that free MS email service) (dot) com

On $DATE , Reg wrote:

Fred Williams wrote:

K, this is an embarrassed cry for help. I've been
baking bread
for many years, but lately many of my loaves come out with large
air bubbles just under the top crust. Am I kneading too much,
or too little?

It's most likely overproofed. Shorten your final rise time
slightly. If the dough is a bit flabby by the time
you bake it you may get the large pockets you describe,
especially near the surface.


But then I get these tiny, dense loaves. I think I'd almost
rather have the air holes. There's got to be a better way doesn't
there?

--
Regards,
Fred.
(Please remove FFFf from my email address to reply, if by email)

On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:28:13 GMT, Fred Williams
wrote:

K, this is an embarrassed cry for help. I've been baking bread
for many years, but lately many of my loaves come out with large
air bubbles just under the top crust. Am I kneading too much, or
too little?
Maybe the bread is getting shaken just a little, because to warm
up the oven the grill comes on and I can't pan raise in the oven.
So I have to transfer fully raised loaves from the table and as
careful as I can be they get shaken just a bit. Also the problems
seems to be less what I bake bread with white flour. When I use
about a cup and a half of rolled oats and about 30% whole wheat
with a touch of molasses, I always seem to get big bubbles and
denser bread near the bottom. Years ago I used to make the same
recipe with no problem.
Advise would be appreciated.

Hi Fred,

What you are describing is often called "flying crust."

Two ways to improve the situation:

Increase the amount of liquid in the dough, and slash the
top just before baking.

All the best,
--
Kenneth

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

On $DATE , Kenneth wrote:

On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:28:13 GMT, Fred Williams
wrote:

K, this is an embarrassed cry for help. I've been baking
bread
for many years, but lately many of my loaves come out with large
air bubbles just under the top crust. Am I kneading too much, or
too little?
Maybe the bread is getting shaken just a little, because
to warm
up the oven the grill comes on and I can't pan raise in the
oven. So I have to transfer fully raised loaves from the table
and as
careful as I can be they get shaken just a bit. Also the
problems
seems to be less what I bake bread with white flour. When I use
about a cup and a half of rolled oats and about 30% whole wheat
with a touch of molasses, I always seem to get big bubbles and
denser bread near the bottom. Years ago I used to make the same
recipe with no problem.
Advise would be appreciated.

Hi Fred,

What you are describing is often called "flying crust."

Two ways to improve the situation:

Increase the amount of liquid in the dough, and slash the
top just before baking.

All the best,

Ah! That is what I needed to hear. I'll do that with my next
batch. Thank-you.

--
Regards,
Fred.
(Please remove FFFf from my email address to reply, if by email)