How to tell when bulk fermentation is done
Read bulk fermentation using dough temperature, measured rise, bubbles and texture. Learn why the timer is an estimate and why every dough does not need to double.
THE BAKER’S JOURNAL / 11 GUIDES
Sourdough fermentation.
Follow dough temperature, rise and texture through bulk and final proof. Learn what each measurement can tell you — and where its limits are.
PUT THE KNOW-HOW TO WORK
Calculate a rise target.
A free tool to keep the maths beside the method.
Sourdough Bulk Fermentation Chart by Dough Temperature
Read a sourdough bulk fermentation chart with its formula and cold-proof assumptions, then turn a target rise into a mark on your own container.
How to Use an Aliquot Jar for Sourdough
Take a useful dough sample, mark and measure its rise, and know what to check if the aliquot jar and main dough develop differently.
What the Sourdough Starter Float Test Can Tell You
Find out what the sourdough starter float test measures, why an active sample can sink, and what to check in the jar before baking.
How to Measure Percentage Rise in Sourdough
Calculate dough rise from two readings or find the exact mark for a target rise. Includes examples for jars and tubs and when height works.
How to Measure Sourdough Dough Temperature
Learn where to take a sourdough dough temperature reading, what desired dough temperature means, and what to record if the batch cools.
How to Bake Sourdough in a Cold Kitchen
See whether cool dough or a slow starter is delaying your sourdough. Choose a warmer resting spot, an earlier start or a later bake.
Bulk Fermentation vs Final Proof in Sourdough
See when bulk fermentation ends, when final proof begins, and which signs to check before shaping, room-temperature proofing or chilling.
When the Sourdough Poke Test Is Useful
Use the poke test on shaped sourdough during final proof. Learn what quick rebound means and why chilled dough needs a different check.
How Long to Cold Proof Sourdough Overnight
Plan an overnight sourdough cold proof around your recipe, fridge temperature and dough condition, with a worked morning bake schedule.
Can You Refrigerate Sourdough During Bulk Fermentation?
Learn when unshaped sourdough can go into the fridge, what to record before chilling and how to decide what comes next.