Makeup
Artisan bread makeup used to be one of the most difficult processes of artisan bread production. This is because it requires a gentle touch from the makeup equipment that was difficult to achieve from most dividers. In addition, water content is high in artisan breads, which makes them sticky and difficult to handle.

Now, instead of dividing and rounding artisan breads, automated sheeting, particularly stress-free sheeting, is the norm for artisan bread production.

Manufacturers say that about 90% of artisan bakers use this continuous sheeting system, due to its advantages. Stress-free systems form a continuous sheet of dough without applying stress, which degasses the dough and damages its structure.

Stress-free systems also are ideal for breads with high absorption rates without degassing the dough. In addition, stress-free systems have the flexibility that appeals to artisan bakers: Bakers can alter dough thickness and dough’s internal structure.

After a dough sheet has been formed to its specified size, most bakers use curling chains and pressure boards to mould the bread.

Ovens
There are several options to choose when baking artisan breads, but bakers typically choose to bake artisan breads in stone tunnel ovens. This is because the stones in these ovens provide strong bottom heat.

One oven manufacturer offers a stone vertical oven that features radiant heated stone hearth baking surfaces. The manufacturer says that these stones are able to ensure replication of color, texture, crustiness and shape of traditional handcrafted artisan breads.

Because this oven is vertical, it uses minimal. floor space. Artisan breads move in a vertical S configuration through heat zones.

Other types of ovens, such as thermal ovens, are able to provide the characteristics of artisan bread. Ovens used for artisan bread must have multiple zones to ensure quality crust: a feature associated with artisan bread.

Generally, steam must be applied in the first zone to prevent premature forming of the crust. This also ensures that artisan bread will obtain an ideal rise during baking. At the end of the oven, artisan bread should undergo high heat to obtain the desired final crust.

Automated artisan bread production can be accomplished as long as bakers maintain control and dedicate time to process artisan breads.