The Fresh Loaf

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Poolish problem

flynnboy's picture
flynnboy

Poolish problem

Hi,

I have been experimenting with Poolish for a couple of weeks now, and love the results, except I am having a problem with my dough fermentations not doubling in size ? I got my recipe online by a guy apparently well known, but I cannot remember his name. My poolish always works great, it has 16 hrs fermentation because our house is not that warm, but it is always vigorous by the time I use it. The poolish has 250 + 250 water/flour + 1/8th tsp of IDY.  The main mix has 250 g flour + 90 g water + 1/2 tsp of IDY - BUT it just does not seem to rise that well....... do you think I could increase the yeast in the main mix to more than 1/2 tsp - would this help ?

Thank you very much for any suggestions !

phaz's picture
phaz

More yeast will make things go quicker, so watch it. Enjoy!

flynnboy's picture
flynnboy

Hi phaz

Are you saying that it will be ok to add more yeast - is there any other reason why the dough is not doubling in size ?

phaz's picture
phaz

Why not - i don't know your ingredients so i can't say. Enjoy!

flynnboy's picture
flynnboy

I put the ingredients in my original question

flynnboy's picture
flynnboy

I put the ingredients in my original question

phaz's picture
phaz

Why not - i don't know your ingredients so i can't say. Enjoy!

gavinc's picture
gavinc

Check the age of the yeast; maybe out of date. I think there is a way to test its viability. web search should find it.

 

alfanso's picture
alfanso

But certainly not forgotten.

https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/65009/tip-commercial-yeast-testing-expiration-storage

I've used this method and darned if it doesn't work as advertised!

gavinc's picture
gavinc

I knew I'd seen it somewhere. Ha Ha.

flynnboy's picture
flynnboy

Thanks gavinc,

I can't see it being the age of the yeast because the Poolish works absolutely fine. It is only the bulk fermentation that does not seem to work that great.

phaz's picture
phaz

I use yeast over a year past the expiration date - no problems. I would suggest you look at the starter - as in is it as potent as the others. Rise time isn't the best indicator. Enjoy!

flynnboy's picture
flynnboy

It's definitely not the yeast ! There us absolutely nothing wrong with the starter. The recipe I have been using with 1/2 tsp of yeast for the main mix is simply not enough.