<< Back to Baking Hints index

Loaf consistently large in volume

Following our recipe, if everything is at an optimum, the loaf will normally just touch the lid of most bread machines. If the loaf is consistently rising enough to hit the lid of the machine when recommended yeast levels are being used, reduce the yeast back by ¼ teaspoon.

Reduction of yeast by ¼ teaspoon will normally reduce the loaf height by about 1½ cm.If this is not effective, check to see if the Recipe being used is appropriate to the bowl size.

For example, about 550 to 600 g of Premix will produce about 1 kg of dough that is recommended for the current range of bread machines such as the Panasonic SD200/206, Breville BB400, Sanyo SBM 20, and Sunbeam BM 001. It may be that the machine used has a capacity that is less than 1 kg of dough.

Then check that the amount of water added is appropriate to the Premix quantity so as to then give a dough with the correct kneading consistency. Assuming that the Premix and water are in correct proportions relative to each other and the quantity of dough seems appropriate to the bowl size, then too much yeast is being used. Less yeast than our Recipe suggests can be successfully used.

Many people add extra yeast 'just to be sure', and this is not only a waste of yeast, but the results are usually less reliable and the loaf of poorer quality.

If the dough has filled the headspace of the machine and overflowed the bowl, and the recommended amount of yeast has been used, then reduce the dough size. Reduce the amount of Premix, and compensate with an appropriately reduced amount of water and yeast.

Follow the Bread Density section of our Instructions, using the suggested 'Water Rate' as a guide to calculate the amount of water required with the reduced Premix quantity.