The path to a high-quality finishing pastry product that everyone is talking about and can increase revenue and boost bakery sales, as you may already know, is not very simple. Besides good quality flour, dough mixer and oven, the temperature and humidity lay a big role in the process. Hence, you might need some in-between tools that can help you get that water-mouthing product faster, improving production time and customer service.
Such a helpful tool can be retarder prover. When first retarder provers arrived in our country, they were welcomed with rather a mistrust. Today, these machines are an indispensable tool for many bakers. If you still haven’t introduced this useful machine to your kitchen, it might be the right time to consider all the benefits you could gain from investing in one.
What Is a Retarder Prover?
A retarder prover is a cabinet with a controlled and adjustable temperature and relative humidity. This retarder cabinet works by holding dough at a certain temperature until the baker is ready to prove it. The proving element can then be kicked in at a convenient time, ensuring the dough is ready for baking when required. During the final stage of the cycle, it transforms from a cold storage room to a heated cabinet to encourage proving. Different models of retarder provers control and optimise the leavening process with precision, without compromising hygiene and quality. They are also known for producing improved aroma and fragrance compared to foods subjected to the traditional, natural leavening process.
The reason why retarder provers are better than provers alone is that they have greater temperature control and overcome the problems of moisture control easily.
Benefits of Retarder Provers
You know how important short preparation time is for a bakery. One of the greatest advantages of retarder provers is that they are saving a lot of time. Because this machine allows you to precisely set both the temperature and humidity, you have complete control on the proofing of the dough. You can easily set the machine at a higher temperature to proof the dough faster, or at a lower one to slow down the process.
Retarder provers also affect the quality of the dough. You can decrease the humidity to prevent crusting of the dough, or increase it if you like a crispier outcome. With all the control over the products, you can also minimise waste and deal with scrap material, while complying with healthy and safe food procedures.
It’s a fact that the proof time so long presents a problem to the baker who wants to have a batch of bread available for the oven first thing in the morning. With the traditional make and bake setting, you need to start early in the morning to knead the dough, shape and mould and allow the products to rise. You are probably putting the products in the oven after 2 hours after you started work. With a retarder prover, you can prepare the dough the previous day and stored it through the night. So, you are automatically saving 2 hours in the morning, which is especially beneficial for your employees. By organising the working hours better, they can have two extra hours of sleep in the morning.
There is a wide range of dough retarder proofers suitable for any kind of business, from the smallest to the largest. However, they all serve the same purpose. With all the benefits regarding dough quality, faster products and cutting employees hours, investing in a retarder prover may eventually save you a lot of money too.
Features to Consider When Buying One
From all the options available on the market, they are some features you might want to consider before choosing the right retarder prover for your bakery.
These machines are known for their durability and can last for decades. However, to get peace of mind, opt for a model that is cover with a warranty for two years plus approved parts and accessories.
Another feature to consider is to make sure that you choose a retarder prover that is easy to maintain and clean. Since its main purpose is to save you time, this needs to apply to maintaining too. Polished stainless steel interior with rounded edges may be an ideal option for easy cleaning.
The ideal model should feature working temperature between -2 and 40 degrees for different uses. This way, you can control the temperature of your stored dough any way you want it.
Make sure that the model you choose can generate steam, cool air and heat individually or simultaneously.
Opt for a model that is easy to use, featuring a precise parameter control and an electromagnetic glass door with automatic opening. Some models feature up to 100 programmes with pictograms of the final products.
Choose the capacity of your retarded prover according to the space available in your kitchen. Some available models come in three sizes, with a capacity of 20 trays.
Make sure the installation process is also easy. The moveable models on double wheel castors, allow you greater flexibility around the kitchen.
