Bread proving baskets

Folks,

I've been experimenting with bread recently, and it seems proving baskets should be my next purchase.

The better ones seem to be cane, but are a bit expensive.

I can however buy bamboo steamers MUCH cheaper both on line and in my chinese supermarket.

The steamers have steep sides which the proving baskets don't, but I could get round  most of this I suspect by using a linen cloth inside the steamer.

Has anyone tried them in this way?

Thanks,

Make do

I had to look it up! Obviously I've never found the need for one either.

My favourite spot is on the worktop next to the boiler with a big plastic bag over it. And I don't know how many times I've forgotten about it and come back to a strange amorphous blob.

Ah but not all doughs are equal and some need support in the form of a proving basket.  Dough made from certain flours, eg spelt,  needs extra support while proving, hence the basket.

There are other doughs which are proved in baskets but I only know about spelt as this is the flour I use most of. 

ive not heard of these before , ive cought a couple of paul hollywoods progs call use your loaf he proved his bread for 3 hours i allways thought you were not to over prove it my books just say about an hour ?
chrissie b

As various people have said already, there are some doughs that do need the extra support of a proving basket (unless you want to end up with a flat bread!!).  However, I just use cheap bread baskets I bought online (a pack of five on eBay I think) - you know, the ones restaurants use for rolls etc.  I'm not sure about bamboo steamers, because they're straight edged, whereas bread baskedts are curved to the bottom which is a better shape for proving.  Best of luck!