Here's the equipment that I use to make my No-Touch No-Knead bread.
Zyliss Spreader
Handling and kneading the wet dough in no-knead recipes is a sticky proposition. After experimentation with dough scrapers, etc. to help manipulate the dough, I found that I got great results using a Zyliss Silicon Spreader. Using it, my hands never touch the dough and it's easy! The Zyliss spreader works better than spatulas because it is much stiffer and doesn't bend when mixing the dough.
Baking Mat for Kneading
I've had a Silpat 11-5/8 x 16-1/2 inch silicon baking mat for several years. The dough doesn't stick to it but it's a little small. I tried two other brands of silicon pastry mats. They were larger but the dough sticks to both of them--even when I floured them. I now use a Silpat Commercial Size Baking Liner which is approximately 24 3/8 x 16 3/8. This photo shows the small amount of dough that sticks to the Silpat after kneading the dough and dumping it off. I didn't do any scraping!
Silpat 11-5/8-by-16-1/2-Inch Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat
Silpat Commercial Size Baking Liner
Serrated Knife to Slash the top of the Bread
I have tried razor blades, an X-acto knife, and various kitchen knives. They all tend to tear the moist no-knead dough rather than cut it. What works the best for me is the serrated knife that I use to cut baked bread. Slashing is easier on dough that has been worked twice since the gluten is firmer. I assume that any sharp serrated knife will work.
If you're having trouble slashing the dough, sift a little (1/2 teaspoon) flour on top of the dough a few minutes before slashing it. That makes the dough easier to slash and it also adds a contrasting color to the crust.
The bread knife that I have is a Victorinox Forschner 40547 10-1/4 bread knife. Note: It's a little difficult to start cutting the crust of Dutch oven baked bread--the crust is that crispy. If you have problems cutting through the top crust try cutting from the bottom of the loaf.
Forschner / Victorinox 10-1/4" Curved with Wavy Edge Fibrox Bread/Carving Knife - NSF Model 40547
Dutch Oven for Baking
I'm using a KitchenAid 3.5 quart 8.25 inch diameter Dutch oven that's 6.5 inches tall. I first tried a 5.75 quart 10 inch diameter Dutch oven but the loaf was too short and wide for my taste. The lid on this one is listed as safe to 500°.
KitchenAid 3.5-qt. Round Dutch Oven
Container for Dough Rising
If you make bread very often, it's a pain to cover the dough with plastic wrap. Find a covered container that's roughly the same diameter as your Dutch Oven and at least 4 inches tall. It is just large enough for dough made with 15 oz flour and easily fits in the refrigerator. I once left dough rise for 24 hours without an interim knead or punch down and some of the dough just barely touched the top. (This container is also available in larger sizes.)
Cambro Round Food Storage Container Sets
Digital Scale
I bought this scale because it was highly rated on Amazon and have been happy with it.
Oxo Good Grips Food Scale with Pull-Out Display
Slicing Guide
I have yet to find a good slicing guide. I've tried a wooden one and the wood is softer than the bread crust so the knife leaves the bread and shaves off pieces of wood. I tried a Stanley Tools yellow plastic miter box but it has two problems: it's not tall enough and the knife shaves off the plastic.
Dutch Oven Parchment Paper
I use pre-cut and folded parchment circles made for Dutch ovens. It's available at some camping stores and Walmarts. It's made by Wausau Paper.
When you open the box, all 8 are folded together.
I cut all eight at once to fit inside my Dutch oven.
The unfolded parchment round.
For the final rise, I dump the dough in the center of the circle and then put it in the Cambro rising container. It's then easy to transfer the paper and dough from the rising container into the 500° dutch oven with less risk of burns.
You can also cut and fold your own parchment rounds. You can cut rounds up to 15" in diameter from professional size parchment paper such as: Chefs Select Parchment Paper Super Sized, 15 Inches X 205 Feet
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