Tried to rush a sourdough proof in the microwave last Sunday

Set the timer for 5 minutes at 10% power and came back to a half-baked crusty blob that smelled like boiled bread and a microwave that took three cycles of vinegar steam to stop stinking, has anyone else ruined a batch by getting impatient with the proofing process?

2 comments

2 Comments

claire9581mo ago

Wait, why are you microwaving sourdough? That's not proofing, that's basically slow cooking it. I've rushed proofing plenty but never nuked the dough. You're basically pasteurizing the yeast before it gets a chance to rise. The smell probably was cooked starter which is rough. Next time just put it in the oven with the light on or stick it on top of the fridge where it's warm. Let the microbes do their job, don't speed run fermentation with a microwave.

king.ruby1mo ago

My friend microwaved her dough once and ended up with sourdough flavored croutons.