When shopping for any kind of equipment – whether for your kitchen or elsewhere – it’s very easy to get taken in by the huge variety of selections out there. We live in an open-market economy. There are sellers from all four corners of the globe selling their wares in the American market. Not surprisingly, there are tons of brands and models. It can get really confusing very quickly. When it comes to bread cloches, it may seem that there is just so much selection out there that you are stumped as to where to begin the selection process. Keep in mind the following information so you can increase the chances of getting the best value for your hard-earned dollars when shopping for this type of baking equipment.
Remember: it’s all about steam, steam, steam
When looking for bread cloches, the name of the game is steam generation and steam holding. That’s the job of bread cloches and bread machines. They were designed to hold the steam coming out of the dough for long enough so that a nice crust form around the bread. This crust must form uniformly. The best way to do this is through effective steam management. Bread cloches that are truly worth it, do a great job of managing steam so you can enjoy a nice crunchy piece of bread with a nice texture again and again. You’re rolling the dice in using a typical baking tray. You get the same texture over and over again as long as you follow the recipe and right directions. That’s the job of bread cloches.
They produce a consistent quality of crunchy bread crust. The secret to this is, of course, the steam. Bread cloches must trap the steam in the right way and hold that steam long enough so that the bread you’re baking develops a nice even crust. It’s very important to pay a lot of attention to the word “even.” This is the key. The crust has to be thick, crunchy and must be evenly distributed throughout the bread. To make this happen, it’s all about steam, steam, steam. Bread cloches produce the right amount of steam and hold it for just long enough to produce amazing bread again and again.
Don’t focus on looks
Don’t just focus on bread cloches that look really good. Instead, focus on functionality. There has to be a snug fit for the lid. This is non-negotiable. The lid has to be placed just right on top of the bread cloches so that the steam can be trapped the right way. Otherwise, the steam would escape prematurely, and the crust would not be very uniform. Also, the crust might not be thick enough.
Also, the cloche model you like might look really good but it might be so heavy or bulky that it can be a hassle to work with. This is not an empty detail because if you are using something that’s heavy and it is also extremely hot, you might be putting yourself at risk of getting burnt.
Lightweight
Another key indicator of the quality of bread cloches is their weight. The best bread cloche is not only lightweight but can withstand a tremendous amount of heat. This is a fairly rare combination so you really have to pay attention to both these factors. Most of the bread cloches in the market handle steam quite well, but they vary tremendously when it comes to functionality, light weight, ease of maintenance and durability.
Easy to clean
Look for bread cloches that are easy to clean. You should be able to just wipe them down and call it a day. Make sure they are made of materials that minimize cleaning. In many cases, there are many surfaces that prevent the bread from sticking. This can make your life much easier when the time comes to clean this particular type of bakeware.
Finally, you need to make sure that the bread cloches you are considering of buying are made of durable materials. Considering the huge amount of heat and steam that bread cloches handle, you cannot compromise on the durability of the materials that make up the models you are considering of buying. They have to withstand the heat and survive the punishment not just today or for next week but for a long time to come.
Keep in mind all these factors when shopping for best bread cloches. These factors ensure that you get the best value for every hard-earned dollar you spend on these amazing pieces of baking equipment.
While you’re here, be sure to check out our kitchen product reviews!