Desired Dough Temperature

This calculator determines the approximate water temperature to get to your desired dough temperature based on the temperature of your flour, room, pre-ferment, and heat from mixing. Change the values below get the water temperature.

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How does the calculator work?

First enter your desired dough temperature (DDT) at the end of mixing. 78°F is put as an example. Next take the temperature of your flour and enter this. Then determine the ambient temperature of the room you are mixing in. Next measure the temperature of your pre-ferment if there is one (this is an optional step). Finally, enter the temperature for the friction factor of your mixer mix method. Your DDT is then multiplied by the total number of factors determining temperature. If you include a pre-ferment this is 4 (flour, room, pre-ferment, friction), without pre-ferment this would be three (flour, room, friction). This number is called the total temperature factor. Your inputted temperatures except for your DDT are added together and subtracted from the TTF. This final result is the estimated water temperature you should use to get your DDT.

Why is desired dough temperature important?

Desired dough temperature is a helpful tool for get more consistent fermentation and bread flavor results. The rate of fermentation is most dependent on your dough's temperature. By monitoring and maintaining a consistent temperature through bulk fermentation, you can more accurately predict the fermentation time and your bread schedule. This is crucial in a bakery setting where you need consistent results and bread ready by a specific time.

75°F-82°F is considered the optimal range for sourdough fermentation. In temperatures >90°F, yeast activity begins to decline rapidly and at begin to die at 132°F. Temperatures too high can also cause excess enzymatic activity which can destroy the integrity of course. In most cases, you want to avoid a FDT >85°F.

DDT vs. FDT

Desired dough temperature (DDT) is the temperature you want your dough to be at the end of mixing and the value you are using to calculate the water temperature you should use. Final dough temperature (FDT) is the actual measured temperature of your dough at the end of mixing. If the numbers you entered were correct these numbers should be about the same, if not then they will differ.

About the pre-ferment.

The pre-ferment can be a poolish, biga, pâte fermentée, sponge, or sourdough.

About the friction factor.

Friction factor refers to the heat generated by your mixer or mixing method. You probably not know your friction factor initially, but if using a mixer it is generally within the range 20°F-26°. To determine your friction factor, record the temperature of your water, flour, pre-ferment if using, and room, then mix. After mixing, take your final dough temperature (FDT) and record this. You can now plug these numbers into your DDT equation and solve for the friction factor.

4 * DDT - (Flour + Room + Preferment + FF) = Water
4 * DDT - Water - Flour - Room - Preferment = FF
or
3 * DDT - (Flour + Room + FF) = Water
4 * DDT - Water - Flour - Room = FF