I did a proofing experiment

https://preview.redd.it/pygkixvl98ke1.png?width=3316&format=png&auto=webp&s=238a7bf9a5e2224bdacb7d88045c84ba046168e3

I've been struggling to get tell if I'm under or over proofed so I decided to so a bit of an experiment today.

I made a batch and split it into 4 sections to make mini loaves. They were fermented together, shaped, then had different proofing times.

Recipe:

75g starter

350 g water

100 g rye

400g bread flour

2tbs salt

My kitchen is 65f.

Mixed in stand mixer followed by an hour rest (3x). Bulk ferment on the counter for an additional 9 hours.

Shaped and put into individual proofing "baskets" (tupperware with napkins) and put into the fridge overnight.

All the baskets were taken out into the counter to continue proofing.

no 1 - 3 hours

no 2 - 6 hours

no 3 - 9 hours

no 4 - 11 hours

Oven - 450 f with dutch oven also preheated. 20 min with lid on then 10 min with lid off.

Results -

6h and above had good oven spring. 3 and 6 both were kind of gummy. 11 hours was probably the best one as it had good oven spring and was a better crumb than any of the others, but had a bad shape because I flubbed the score.

Conclusion - I've been making VERY underproofed bread. I'll be trying an 9-11 hour proof from now on, or until spring.