What Is the Best Bread Pan for Baking Sourdough? 

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What is the best bread pan for baking sourdough? I get this question a lot, and this article will discuss which pans are best for what type of loaf.  Whether you’re a seasoned bread baker or trying your hand at sourdough for the first time, this article will be useful.

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Sourdough bread is one of my favorite things to bake, in case you can’t tell! And if you’ve ever tasted homemade sourdough, you know why! There is nothing quite like it. What I love most about sourdough is its simplicity and the way natural yeast is cultivated so as not to rely on commercial yeast. Just flour, water, and salt; that’s it! 

Choosing the best bread pan for sourdough can be an important part of the process, so I am here to help you navigate your pan selection and give you my personal opinion on what works best. 

What Is Sourdough Bread, and How Does It Differ from Regular Yeast Bread?

Sourdough bread is a type of naturally leavened bread made using a sourdough starter. This starter is a mix of flour and water that captures wild yeast and beneficial bacteria from the environment. Unlike regular yeast bread, which relies on store-bought yeast to rise, sourdough bread gets its rise from this natural fermentation process.

Key Differences Between Sourdough and Yeast Bread:

• Leavening Agent: Sourdough relies on wild yeast and bacteria, while yeast bread uses packaged commercial yeast.
• Flavor: The tangy sourdough flavor comes from the fermentation process. Yeast bread, on the other hand, has a milder taste.
• Texture: Sourdough typically has a chewy texture with large holes and, ideally, a crispy crust. At the same time, yeast bread is softer and more uniform.

Sourdough Bread vs. Sourdough Sandwich Bread

When we think of sourdough, we often imagine rustic, round loaves with a crackly crust. But sourdough isn’t limited to artisan-style bread. Sourdough sandwich bread is a softer, more structured version of traditional sourdough, designed to fit perfectly into a loaf pan.

Check out my sourdough focaccia sandwich loaf recipe!

Key Differences:

• Shape and Structure: Traditional sourdough is often free-form with an oval or round shape. Sourdough sandwich bread, on the other hand, is baked in a loaf pan.
• Texture: Sandwich bread has a finer crumb and softer crust, making it great for toast, sandwiches, french toast, etc.
• Purpose: While a crusty loaf of sourdough is great for tearing and sharing, sandwich bread is more versatile for everyday use.

Why Bread Pans Matter

Choosing the right bread pan can make all the difference when baking sourdough. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating the ideal baking environment for your dough.

The Main Benefits of a Good Bread Pan:

1. Consistent Shape: A bread pan ensures your loaf rises evenly and maintains its shape.
2. Perfect Crust: Different materials, like cast iron or glass, influence the crust’s texture and thickness.
3. Durability: High-quality bread pans last for years, making them a worthy investment for any home baker.

What to Think About When Deciding Which Bread Pan Is Best

When choosing the best bread pan for sourdough, consider the following:

1. Material: Each material has unique properties. For example:
   • Cast iron retains heat beautifully and is great for oven spring.
   • Aluminized Steel is lightweight and durable.
   • Glass allows you to see your bread’s progress as it bakes.
2. Size and Shape: Consider whether you want an oval, round, or rectangular loaf. The exact size of your pan will affect the final look and feel of your bread.
3. Heat Tolerance: High temperatures are essential for sourdough baking. Cast iron pans and Dutch ovens are especially good at withstanding high heat.
4. Nonstick Coating: Though some prefer this, I do not use anything that is nonstick. Often, the chemicals needed to create the nonstick coating are questionable as far as their toxicity.
5. Lid or No Lid: A tight-fitting lid, like on a Dutch oven, traps steam to create a professional-quality crust. Though there is such thing as an open bake.

Recommendations for Types of Bread Pans

Open Bake vs. Using a Dutch Oven

• Open Bake: Baking on a sheet pan or pizza stone allows for free-form loaves. Adding ice cubes to your oven creates steam, which helps achieve a good oven spring. I’ve not actually tried an open bake yet, but some people swear by it!
• Dutch Oven: The gold standard for sourdough. Dutch ovens, like the Challenger Bread Pan or the Lodge Cast Iron Combo Cooker, trap steam and retain heat for a bakery-style crust. This is my go-to.

Suggestions for Different Types of Bread Pans

Here are some top picks for bread pans and when to use them:

That’s the loaf pan lowdown! So grab your oven mitts, and let’s get baking. Happy baking, friends!

Sourdough Boule Recipe

How to Make a Sourdough Starter

The Best Flour to Use for Sourdough Bread