There is a lot that goes into creating perfect artisanal loaves. It is a labor of love and a process that demands precision and accuracy. When you are looking to bake artisan breads at a retail or wholesale production level, you need to make sure you have the right equipment for the job. The proper equipment will give you that handmade artisan product while automating the process to help with mass production. Having the right baking equipment is crucial to achieving the perfect crust, crumb, and flavor. In this guide, we'll explore the essential baking equipment every artisan bread bakery should have in their toolkit.

Essential Baking Equipment for Artisan Bread

1. Dough Mixer

All great bread starts with a great mixer. Artisan bread production requires thorough and proper mixing to ensure the ingredients are properly blended and that the dough is optimally developed. Every artisan bakery should have a spiral dough mixer that is capable of producing the amount of dough needed to keep up with production and supply their bakery with products. Your bread will only be as good as your dough, so be sure to choose a quality spiral mixer that can get the job done!

2. Dough Production Equipment

As mentioned, precision is key when making artisan bread. Accurately dividing your dough and weighing it to make sure each loaf is similar in size and weight is and important step, but also a time-consuming one as well. Equipping your bakery with production equipment such as dough divider, dough moulders, and dough divider/rounders will allow you to automate the dividing and weighing processes at the touch of a button. And don't worry, these machines will not force you to sacrifice quality and you can still produce artisan breads as if they were divided by hand!

baking equipment needed for artisan bread production

3. Dough Proofers

The proof is in the proofers! Bread of any kind relies heavily on proper proofing. The structure and flavor of the bread rely on getting great proof on your dough. Proofing at scale can be tough and regular floor-proofing has too many factors that can affect proofing. And since artisan bread requires precision proofing, its best to leave that step to a qualified piece of equipment. A Roll-In Proofer allows bakers to fill their racks with dough and roll it straight into a proofer where it will be exposed to a controlled environment with the proper temperature and humidity for the perfect proof.

4. Artisan Deck Ovens

An last but most certainly not least is the oven. Artisan bread requires a very specific type of oven that can give you the perfect crust and crumb structure that customers look for in artisan bread. Stone Hearth Deck Ovens are perfect for artisan breads. The high-quality stone hearth retains heat and gives bread that perfectly brown and crispy outer crust. Artisan bread also needs to be exposed to steam in order to get that beautiful shine we see in artisanal loaves. Top quality deck ovens like the Minitube Stone Hearth Deck Oven have individual self-contained steam generators on each deck to efficiently steam bread for the perfect final product.

Investing in high-quality baking equipment can make all the difference in your artisan bread production. With the right tools, you'll be able to create beautiful, flavorful loaves that will keep your customers happy and coming back for more. Whether you're starting a new bakery or looking to upgrade your current setup, these essentials will help you on your artisan bread journey. By optimizing your toolkit with the best baking equipment, you'll not only improve your bread-making skills but also enjoy the process even more. Remember, the art of artisan bread is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.