BAKERS - are ya looking for a blistered crust on your bread?

[RonB]

Take a look at this video from King Arthur:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C6A975p3Mo

[captainlee]

I use the dutch oven, works great. I do have a cast iron one too but it's very heavy and feels like you could easily have an accident with it. I have tried adding some ice but never really noticed any difference. If you haven't tried this method yet it definitely will improve your baking.

[Richard Chrz]

I like blisters.

[Oak Smoke]

That is a thing of beauty! I can only imagine the crunch of biting into that crust.

[hoovarmin]

You are the king of blistered bread

[Davek8282]

I have a ceramic covered baker, amazing crust, being ceramic I won't be adding water or ice

[hoovarmin]

Great video, Ron. Thanks for sharing.

[hoovarmin]

So I had to give these ideas a try and made the dough featured in the video. I've had an awful time achieving steam in my oven (it's gas) without using dutch ovens with lids, and now that I am making batards instead of boules my dutch ovens are too small for them. I used a giant metal bowl that my wife used to make tabouleh in, much like the one our pal troymeister uses, and put 6 ice cubes on the stone underneath. I'd say the video solved my blistering issue. Unfortunately, I kind of burned the loaf, but I have another one in the oven now. Hopefully I don't screw that one up.

Next challenge, how to get a perfect ear.

[RonB]

I'm glad it works for you. I thought I'd make some bread while recovering from my recent surgery, but I realized that I can't move my KA mixer for at least several more weeks.

[hoovarmin]

Sorry about that, Ron. You need a Good Samaritan to come and move it for you.

[hoovarmin]

Second loaf turned out even better. I like all the smaller blisters better than the bigger ones from the last loaf.

[RonB]

This one looks even better.