Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Proofer

The Folding Proofer & Slow Cooker allows you to control the environment for more consistent & reliable results. Whether you're proofing dough (letting it rise), making homemade yogurt, or cooking your favorite slow-cook meal, with the Folding Proofer, you’ll be able to create the ideal environment for whatever your needs and enjoy successful results every time.

You may have a few questions as you begin using your Proofer, but don't worry; we've got you covered. Below, we answer some common questions and provide tips to help you get the best results from your Proofer.

Want to skip the reading? Watch our video explanation instead.

Proofer Temperature

The first question you might have is, “What temperature should I set the proofer at for proofing my dough?” Temperature can profoundly affect fermentation (the rate at which your dough rises). A recipe may have proofing temperature guidelines, but if it does not, 78 to 82°F (25 to 28°C) degrees is a good range for most dough. Temperature also can affect the level of sourness in sourdough. The Proofer’s degree-by-degree temperature control allows you to select the perfect temperature for your dough and your needs.

Checking Dough Temperature

When you first turn your Proofer on, a red indicator light indicates the base plate is heating up. When the green light comes on, the base plate has reached its temperature – this does not indicate that the contents within the proofer have come to the set temperature.

Many bakers like to check the temperature of their dough during fermentation. Using a digital probe thermometer to check your dough is the most accurate and reliable way to get the internal temperature of the dough. Do not lay the thermometer on the bottom rack or use an indoor thermometer inside the proofer. These methods are much less accurate and will not provide a reading of the actual dough temperature.

Water Tray

Providing a warm, humid environment for your proofing dough will ensure a better rise, resulting in better bread. We recommend using the water tray when proofing bread doughs for two reasons. One, the water tray provides humidity within the proofing chamber, which prevents your dough from drying out as it rises. Two, the Proofer has been calibrated with the water tray in use. Therefore, the set temperature will most accurately represent the dough temperature if the water tray is used. If you choose not to use the water tray, be aware that your dough temperature may be a few degrees lower than the set temperature.

Proofing Container and Covering

What type of bowl should I use to proof my dough? We recommend using a stainless steel bowl for proofing your dough, but any bowl will work. Keep in mind that if you use a thick bowl, or a bowl much larger than the amount of dough it contains, it will take longer to heat, and your dough may never reach the set temperature.

In most cases, there is no need to cover the bowl because the water tray will provide humidity, preventing the dough from drying. However, if you're in a particularly dry climate or your dough has a long fermentation, you may want to lightly cover the bowl in order to help prevent skin from forming.

Covering the dough will have another effect. It will increase the temperature by a few degrees, and this is useful if you're working with cooler dough and want your dough to come to the set temperature faster.

Covering with aluminum foil is the most effective for raising the temperature quickly, but plastic or a tea towel can also be used. If you're using this technique to warm your dough faster, just remember to remove the cover after 20 to 30 minutes so the dough doesn't overheat.

The Proofer works through radiant heat. The aluminum base plate heats up, warming the bowl above, which heats the contents within the bowl. The thermostat of the Proofer controls the temperature of the aluminum base plate. The temperature of the base plate has been calibrated to bring your dough to the temperature you've selected. Proofing temperatures are above room temperature but below body temperature. As a result, putting your hand in the Proofer might not feel as warm as you expect. The Proofer was designed to heat the objects above the warming plate through the radiant heat, not by just warming the air.

Because of how the Proofer is designed to work, there is no need for thick insulated walls. The thin and collapsible walls make the Proofer easy to store but provide enough heat retention to keep your dough at the right temperature.

Check to see if Proofer is working:
If you doubt that the Proofer is operating correctly, there is an easy way to check: turn off the Proofer, remove the rack and water tray, and leave it off for a few minutes. Then, turn it back to about 80 to 85°F (27 to 29°C) degrees and place your hand directly on the aluminum plate. Within 10 to 15 seconds, you should feel it becoming warm.

The Proofer has two modes: proofing mode and slow cooking mode. Use proofing mode when working with dough, and slow cooking mode for slow cooker recipes. These modes work differently, with the most significant difference being that the rack is removed in slow cook mode, and a pot is placed directly onto the aluminum plate.

Slow Cooking Mode

Proofing Mode

One of the advantages of using the Proofer in slow cook mode is that it allows for one-pot cooking, making meal preparation more convenient. Instead of transferring food from the stove to the slow cooker after sautéing or searing, the Proofer enables users to do all the cooking in one pot. After sautéing or searing on the stove, the hot pan can be placed directly on the Proofer's pre-heated heating plate and covered with a lid, resulting in fewer dishes to clean.

We have some great slow cooker recipes that rely on this cooking method, including Vegetarian Curried Chickpea Soup, Italian Meat Sauce, and Hearty Chuck Roast:

Slow-Cooked Vegetarian Curried Chickpea Soup

Slow-Cooked Italian Meat Sauce

Hearty Slow Cooked Chuck Roast