Choosing the right size of banneton is an important step in sourdough baking. This banneton size guide helps you choose the perfect size for your dough weight, so your bread turns out just right.
The right banneton size for bread dough
When selecting a banneton, you must consider the weight of the bread dough. If the size doesn't match, it will affect the final proofing.
The banneton shape is also important, whether round, oval, rectangular, or even heart-shaped. It will impact the final appearance of the sourdough when it is done baking.
Another key thing to consider is that your dough should fit inside the Dutch oven you plan to bake in.
Banneton size guide
Here is a helpful guide for oval and round banneton baskets based on dough weight, not flour weight.
Oval banneton baskets size chart:
| Dough Weight Range | Banneton Size (Inch) | Banneton Size (Cm) |
| 350-450g | 7.5 inches | 19 cm |
| 450-650g | 9 inches | 23 cm |
| 650-800g | 10 inches | 25 cm |
| 750-900g | 11 inches | 28 cm |
| 800-1100g | 12 inches | 30 cm |
| 1100-1400g | 13 inches | 34 cm |
| 1400-1800g | 17 inches | 43 cm |
Round banneton baskets size chart:
| Dough Weight Range | Banneton Size (Inch) | Banneton Size (Cm) |
| 250-350g | 5 inches | 12.7 cm |
| 350-500g | 6 inches | 15 cm |
| 500-700g | 7 inches | 17 cm |
| 700-800g | 8 inches | 20 cm |
| 800-900g | 9 inches | 23 cm |
| 900-1000g | 10 inches | 25 cm |
| 1000-1200g | 11 inches | 28 cm |
You might also come across mini loaves, which are included in a "bread flight" box and typically weigh 250-350g.
How to find the right dough weight for your banneton
I once watched a video by Jack from Bake with Jack, where he showed how to calculate the perfect dough weight for a loaf tin. His method inspired me to adapt the same idea for a banneton.
Here's a simple way to figure out exactly how much dough fits your banneton perfectly.
Step 1: Measure your banneton's weight: Line your banneton with a plastic bag (or a disposable plastic liner) to keep it from leaking. Place it on a scale and note the weight.
Step 2: Weigh the water: Tare the scale to zero, then fill the banneton with water until it is just full without overflowing. Note the new weight. The number you get is your water weight.
Step 3: Find the coefficient: Bake a few loaves using this banneton for proofing until you find the dough weight that gives you the perfect shape, nice and full, but not spilling over. Now divide the water weight by that ideal dough weight. That number is your coefficient.
For example:
- Water weight: 1600 g
- Perfect dough weight: 950 g
- 1780 ÷ 1000 = 1.68
Step 4: Use that number for other bannetons
If you have other bannetons from the same brand, you can now skip the guesswork. Just measure their water weight and divide by your coefficient to get the right dough weight.
Example:
- Water weight: 1500 g
- Coefficient: 1.68
- 1500 ÷ 1.68 = about 892 g of dough
Step 5: Adjust for flour type: If you bake with different flours, such as whole wheat or rye, the dough will feel denser. Therefore, you will need to find a separate coefficient for each flour type.
How to choose the right banneton for your Dutch Oven
Make sure your banneton is smaller than your Dutch oven so the air can circulate around the dough. This helps the bread bake evenly and prevents the dough from touching the sides of the Dutch oven.
Generally, a 9-10-inch banneton fits with a 5-6-quart Dutch oven. Larger sizes are often better than smaller ones.
If you plan to use a smaller Dutch oven to help with bread shape, issues related to gluten development and proofing need to be addressed. Properly proofed dough should not rely on the Dutch oven for additional rise and shape during baking.
So, you can easily bake your sourdough bread in the most common sizes with a 6-7 quart Dutch Oven. Alternatively, consider investing in the baker's dream - Challenger Bread Pan.
FAQ
Q: What size oval (oblong) banneton do I need for 500g of flour?
A: When using 500g of flour, the total dough weight will be around 855g to 1000g (not including any extras like seeds). In this case, a 12-inch oval banneton should be perfect.
Q: Should my dough fill out the banneton to the rim?
A: Your dough doesn't need to fill the banneton to the very top. Leave some space for it to expand slightly during final proofing without overflowing.
Q: Is the banneton size too small if my dough overflows?
A: If your dough consistently overflows the banneton during proofing, the size may be too small. But if it overflows occasionally, it could be a sign of the overproofed dough.
Let's talk sourdough
What size banneton do you usually use for your loaves, and what dough weight fits? Share your experience in the comments below.
Ready to keep learning
Now that you know how to choose the right banneton size, learn how to use a banneton and take care of it to keep it in great shape.
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