Crust Question

[Nate_Bottman]

I just tried out my new linen-lined banneton yesterday with some French bread. I floured it a fair amount, and so, of course, the bread had lots of flour on the surface. Because of the flour, the crust had more of the rustic chewy texture than I would like. Any ideas on how to get a cracklier crust when using floured bannetons?

[madgoose]

are you proofing the bread in the floured banneton? all that flour on the bread while it's proofing will make the crust gummy and chewy

[Nate_Bottman]

Yes, I'm proofing the bread in the floured banneton. Next time I might just try using very little flour, as it seems like the linen releases the dough fairly easily.

[madgoose]

yeah i think too much flour is the prob let me know how it works out

[Jock]

try using rice flour instead of regular flour. The rice flour prevents the bread dough from sticking in the banneton but doesn't stick so much to the dough when you unmold on to your peel.

Jock

[KyleW]

While excess flour can be a negative, I don;t think it's the only cause of your crust problem. Before I shoot my mouth off, have you baked this exact recipe in your current oven successfully prior to introducing your bannetons?