As a consumer, the choices you find at the national grocery store all too often leave you wondering whether you just purchased real food. Everything seems so artificial, and filled with so many preservatives and chemicals you can’t even pronounce. Perhaps most disappointingly, the bags of food you bring home don’t even leave you happy or satisfied. We’ve all had times when we just went to the grocery store, and wind up wondering if there is anything good for dinner tonight. The lack of true quality and taste in the foods offered at the giant grocery store has created a market opening for creative artisan bakery entrepreneurs.
One of the hottest items over the last several years has been artisan bread. People love to come into an artisan bread store and smell the amazing aroma of the freshly baked loaves. The taste and texture of the bread leads passionate customers to actively seek high quality products like this, and they purchase time and time again. As an artisan baker, you’ll need some specialized equipment to produce your amazing product.
Mixer for Your Dough
Perfect dough is the true starting point if you intend to produce delicious artisan bread. Often, an artisan bakery will use one or more commercial Spiral Arm Mixers. These have a mixing bowl that rotates and a single mixing arm in a fixed position.
Retarder and Proofing Cabinet
As an artisan bakery, you will also need a retarder/proofer cabinet like the Bongard Hera. When you work with dough that is rising, this device allows for controlling and adjusting the relative humidity and temperature in the cabinet. Smaller cabinets can hold multiple bread trays, while the larger models will actually accommodate a full-size, roll in rack.
Fermented artisan products can be stored and retarded overnight, or even through the weekend, so the product is ready for baking in the future. Then, during the end state of the cycle, the box transforms from being used for cold storage to being heated so it can aid proofing.
Deck Oven
Another key decision to make is which specific deck oven you will use to bake your artisan bread. This style of oven is preferred for baking perfect artisan bread, because it can produce a beautiful crust and still keep the bread soft and moist on the inside.
A deck oven can combine conduction and radiant heat while it is baking your bread. Their ability to maintain a consistent heat level will allow you to bake multiple artisan loaves simultaneously.
Work Tables and Storage
To support busy bread production, you will also want to acquire multiple work tables. You’ll want to buy the best tables you can afford, so they last for years to come. Also make sure that the work tables are at a comfortable height for you and your staff.
You will need several different storage options to support your artisan bread production. Expect to buy a refrigeration unit for goods like eggs and milk. For dry goods, purchase storage containers that are secured and shelving. Additionally, you will want tray sheets and multiple racks to hold all your loaves of bread.
