I kept seeing people complain about burnt bottoms but have never experienced it myself. That is until I saw someone mention putting a pizza stone in the oven. I don't get burnt bottoms because my pizza stone is always stored in the oven like this. It probably helps with my other bakes too and I just never realized it!
by Sylphrenn
17 Comments
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Wait, why does this help? I just did my second ever loaf and the bottom is a little toasty. First bake- pizza stone was in the oven, 2nd it was not. Does the pizza stone absorb/help distribute the heat through the bottom?!
I always put a pan of some sort under my dutch oven and it has helped with super hard/burnt bottoms.
I got myself a round silicone sheet that fits snugly inside the dutch oven. Has the bonus of being able to be cleaned in the dishwasher if necessary, because for me not all bakes work out all the time.
Absolutely. You have a bottom element without the stone your CI DO is exposed to direct radiant heat, whereas with the stone to act as a buffer it is the ambient oven temperature it is exposed to.
Happy baking
Wow, I am new to this and so far my biggest issue has been the bottoms being a bit too dark. I have my oven preheating now for a loaf and I am going to try this. Does it matter if you preheat the stone or can I put it in when the bread goes in? Edit – I just read carefully and you said it is always in there. Going to put mine in now!
Yes! Adding a pizza stone to my oven as a permanent fixture made a huge positive difference in all my bakes
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That’s awesome!!! plus it is suppose to help stabilize the temperature also!!!
I hate using a Dutch oven. Just skipped it completely and went right on the stone. My fave.
I’ve found that since using a cookie sheet on the second rack, it helps with burnt bottoms. Since then, I struggle with a crispy crust on top 🙃
I’ve found this is not nearly as effective in a gas oven. I wish it was though. Experimenting with other ways to get a softer bottom but haven’t found a good solution yet.
I use cookie sheets on the racks below
Just put the dutch oven on a cookie sheet
This is so helpful for a newbie! I’m starting my journey next week!
Yup that works ….now clean your oven. You savage
Yeah I usually put a pan with of water under my pot. Helps keep the oven moist and prevents burnt bottoms