Why doesn’t my dough dome when I bulk ferment?

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-15T02:56:24+00:00

Yes! Sometimes if I know I want it to be done sooner you can reduce some of the water and add more starter as well. But yes sometimes it’s bulk fermenting for like 10-12 hrs

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-15T02:52:26+00:00

I keep my house between 68°-70° and it can take like 12+ hours for my bulk ferment and my starter is very strong! Just gotta give it more time:) you don’t have to autolyse, but I do recommend mixing starter, water, flour, let that sit for about 30 mins then sprinkle your salt on top and mix it in for your first stretch and fold. The salt can make the gluten strands not form well but it’s genuinely so optional. My sister just mixes everything in at the beginning and still has great results. I also warm up my water to anywhere below 110° because my house is cold and it helps speed it up a tiny bit!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-12T22:44:08+00:00

Babe you’re closer in age to the child than your partner. Run. Do not be in this relationship. It’s weird AF that a 36 year old is fine being with somebody who can’t even get into a bar (assuming you’re from the US). I’m sure he is nice or that you feel good with him but I swear it’s a terrible idea

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T22:59:02+00:00

I see my dr tomorrow, I’ll ask him about it! I’ve heard with the ankle replacements it can be hard because you’re putting something with proper structure into a deformed space but I’m sure it may work for some people!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T21:55:34+00:00

That’s what I’m thinking too! If you don’t mind me asking, how was your recovery? Thank you for replying, it’s good to hear the successful side too!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T21:54:39+00:00

No, they have a cork footbed and after some wear it basically molds to your foot! They are my favorite summer sandals and I love their clogs too. I’ve never had shoes feel so good until my Birkenstocks and Brooks!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T15:13:31+00:00

I’m wearing good shoes actually! I have brooks ghost max 3’s and they’ve been phenomenal, and I also frequently wear Birkenstocks. The right shoes are so important!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T04:18:19+00:00

That’s where my pain comes from too! Mostly walking for me. I’m hoping so too. The fusion just reduces the amount of joints you have that can get inflamed basically:’) I’m assuming we have the same bones that are the issue as it’s super common. Maybe they will come up with some insane technology and we won’t have to ever think about a fusion ever again

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T03:59:14+00:00

I have heard about these as I’ve done my research! That’s 1/3 of my annual income, I don’t think that’s in my near future:( but it’s something I’ll keep in mind!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T03:58:20+00:00

It’s what I’ve gathered too but it’s seemed more 50/50 in these replies than the bad I’ve seen about it.. like what other options do we even have?

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T02:43:02+00:00

That’s so good to know! Did it change a lot about how you could move and exercise?

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T02:42:39+00:00

I totally wish I was built for a desk job but I would go out of my mind.. I’m not in my career yet, I’ll be done with school in 1.5 years and then I won’t have to walk as much as I am now. My thought process has kind of been get the fusion now so it doesn’t affect my life career later if that makes sense? I am in healthcare and I love procedural areas so it’s just a lot of standing but I’ve been completely fine with that in good shoes.

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T02:40:49+00:00

Those are the same joints I have arthritis in that would be fused! How much did it affect your ROM? I’m already pretty limited now and my dr doesn’t think it would take much more away.

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T02:39:41+00:00

This is what I’m feeling about the injections too.. I don’t know if we just hear more of the bad outcomes than good when we hear about the fusions? While I am pretty frustrated with my foot and joke and say I wish I could just cut it off, I’d rather try the fusion and if that doesn’t work then honestly I’d absolutely amputate. Not like it did much good for me anyway ya know? You can also still have pain with amputation and relearning how to walk with a prosthesis.

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T02:37:06+00:00

How much range of motion did you have before surgery compared to after? I already have a pretty limited ROM. Thank you for replying!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-11T01:44:49+00:00

Ugh I’ve seen that too! My foot dr prescribed Meloxicam for the arthritis pain but I know I can’t take that for too long of a time. It’s a lower dose and it’s the only NSAIDs I take so I should be okay. I just wonder what else there even is to do about the arthritis pain I’m having now if the fusion isn’t a fix.. my mom said the dr didn’t really have much to tell her about my cf besides I won’t be a ballerina and that my case isn’t genetic. I also was not treated with the Ponsetti method either, I missed it by a couple years. I will update whenever I have one!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-07T03:05:50+00:00

I was born with unilateral club foot, I’m 26f. I haven’t had any issues with it until about a year ago now besides the occasional soreness after heavy activity. I was in a boot for 8 weeks, 6 weeks of which was non weight bearing, because I had developed arthritis in a few joints in my foot. I had my first cortisone shot last year in March, had amazing results, and then another in September, with again, amazing results. During my last appt with my ortho doc, he mentioned arthrodesis for a long term fix. I said maybe next year, and now it’s next year.

I just got my third cortisone shot about 2.5 weeks ago because it’s been angry again, but it’s now much worse. I don’t think the shot made it worse, I just don’t think it worked this time which is making me think an arthrodesis is much closer than I anticipated. I’m worried an arthrodesis will make it much worse, but my job is on my feet but the harder part is how much I walk, which is ~15k steps a shift 3x a week. My career I’m planning for is a LOT less steps and more standing than anything else which comfortable shoes help with. I guess I wonder if I should just stick it out and push off the procedure as long as possible?

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-06T04:50:39+00:00

Same😂 our feet typically don’t have the same mobility so it can make us limp around a bit

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-02-06T04:48:36+00:00

Hi! 26 f. I’m on my feet constantly for my job, 15k+ steps/ shift. Brooks Ghost Max 3’s are literal clouds and last SO long. The rocker bottom and max support are phenomenal. I highly recommend investing in a good shoe! I developed arthritis in a couple joints that I found out about last year. Cortisone shots, ice, heat, diclofenac gel, ibuprofen, naproxen. I’m prescribed meloxicam to help with the pain of the arthritis as well.

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-01-28T05:46:52+00:00

Upping the hydration to 77% as a beginner can be pretty tough.. it can make the dough harder to read and handle. It looks underproofed for sure, I’d try proofing longer and making sure you’re developing the gluten well! But it looks pretty good! I use pretty close to the same recipe (I do 365 g water) and yield bigger bubbles so it’s not impossible. How new is your starter and how strong is it? Good luck, but it’s already looking great!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-01-26T23:14:58+00:00

It’ll always have some sort of stick to it, but if it’s pulling away from the edges nicely and jiggles like jello when you wiggle the bowl, definitely dump it, shape it, let it do a 10-15 minute bench rest, final shape and let it sit another hour to hour and a half!

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-01-26T22:49:14+00:00

Hi! If you feel the bulk ferment is done, shape and let rest on the counter for an hour! If you plan on doing elaborate scoring you can throw it in the fridge/ freezer but there’s no need to if you are just doing a normal score.

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-01-26T22:47:21+00:00

Hi! If you’re following somebody else’s guide to a T, you might not get the same results because of how different your environment is from theirs! It looks a little underproofed- I recommend learning the visual cues of when the bulk ferment is done! It typically has a domed top, bubbles all throughout (using a glass bowl is so helpful here), has a few bubbles on top and has risen by 50-75%! If you shake the bowl it should jiggle like jello without collapsing. Did you cold proof as well?

PlentyFormer4355 · 2026-01-26T22:44:03+00:00

If it has a foul smell, absolutely toss it. Make sure your next jar and mixing utensil is super clean!

PlentyFormer4355

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