The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Big hole crumb diagnosis

DutchSourdough's picture
DutchSourdough

Big hole crumb diagnosis

Hi everybody!

I'm getting really satisfied with my sourdough lately. However, the main issue now is the forming of too large bubbles in the crumb. How do you avoid such large holes? Is it a shaping issue?

 

Best,

Friso

Benito's picture
Benito

Hi Frisco, overall the crumb looks good and not particularly dense or gummy.  The large holes/alveoli are likely to be air trapped during folds and shaping.  Giving the dough some gentle pats during shaping can help reduce that.  Also, popping large bubbles that you see can also help.

Benny 

DutchSourdough's picture
DutchSourdough

Hi benny,

Thanks for the reply :) 

I generally try to pop all large bubbles I see, so I'm curious to see the effect of gentle pats. With that, do you mean rolling it tighter? Or do you mean patting the dough down before shaping?

 

Friso

Benito's picture
Benito

Hi Friso, I mean patting the dough gently while shaping.  Each time I fold the dough during shaping I'll brush off excess flour and pat the dough.  These small pats can reduce the air that can get trapped as we're shaping.

Benny

DutchSourdough's picture
DutchSourdough
  1. Great tip. It turnedd out very nice!!!
Benito's picture
Benito

See Friso your dough enjoyed the patting down!  Very very big improvement in the crumb!!

Benny

Missmoneypenny's picture
Missmoneypenny

That’s a beautiful crumb. Your patting action must be very effective 😃