Sourdough Breadmaking: Adding Water to Dutch Oven to create more steam?
Is there any benefit to adding some boiling water to a preheated dutch oven (under some parchment paper) just before putting the lid back on?
EDIT:
Well I did it. It seems to improve oven spring. Took Some pics.
And here is the crumb 
Best Answer
What you are doing essentially allows the bread to rise a little more before the crust toughens. It will leave you with a lighter, fluffier loaf with smaller air pockets and a softer crust. I have never poured water into the dutch oven before, but I often just wet the loaf right before putting it in. You can do that with a spray bottle or basting brush.
I'm not sure how exactly your method will differ in results though, as it will do 2 things: rapidly lower the temperature of the dutch oven (transferring the heat to the water) and start cooking the top of the loaf faster.
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Do you add water to Dutch oven?
Instead, pour in some fat, like oil or butter, to heat up along with the iron. Some liquid, like broth or even water, will also keep the surface safe.What does putting water in the oven do for bread?
Why do you put water in the oven when baking bread? Water added to the oven will evaporate into steam. When baking bread, we add water just as the bread goes in to bake. This helps the bread rise in the oven which benefits it in several ways.Should I put water in the oven when baking sourdough bread?
Steam in bread baking: Method #1 The simplest method of adding steam to your oven is to spray the loaf with warm water prior to putting it into the oven. Spray the oven once the bread is loaded, and then again about 5 minutes into the bake.Can you add more water to sourdough?
If your dough has been rising for less than an hour, it's possible to add some flour or water, thoroughly mix again and allow it to continue rising. Any longer than that and you risk compromising the quality of the bread. It's best to start small and add a tablespoon at a time so you can be controlled.Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread - How to use your Dutch Oven to bake better Bread
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Answer 2
Several (okay, five) years ago they made a run at doing a 'Seasoned Advice Blog' to which rfusca entered an excellent article Taking your bread to the next level with steam He explains:
What does steam do for bread? Primarily, it gelatanizes the starches in the crust and keeps them that way longer. This causes the outside of the loaf to form an extended, flexible “skin.”
So, while your technique of adding the water under the parchment is novel the effect that steam can have on bread making is well established.
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