If you’re new to bread baking, you’re probably wondering – “Where should you let dough rise?” Well, as a home baker with a few years of experience, I’ve got the answer for you. In this article, I’ll explain where you should let dough rise, and I’ll also give you more than a handful of ideas to use at home.
So, in general, where should you let your dough rise?
It’s best to let your dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot that is between 80-90°F (26-32°C). This temperature range is ideal for yeast multiplication. When it’s warm out, your kitchen counter is perfect. When it’s cold out, find a warmer place for your dough to rise, like inside of the microwave or on top of the fridge.
Now, let’s get practical. If your kitchen counter is too cold during the winter, you might be looking for a few warm places to let your dough rise. Here are 15 different warm spots in and around your house that are perfect places to let your dough proof.
Side note: Get yourself one of these very affordable ambient temperature thermometers from Amazon and keep it on your kitchen counter. You’ll always know the exact temperature of your kitchen with one of these.
15 Warm Spots Where Your Dough Can Rise
1. The Microwave
Inside the microwave is a great environment where your dough can rise. Since microwaves are relatively small, they can heat up quickly. They’re also the perfect size to fit a bowl of dough. What I usually do is heat up a cup of water in my microwave until it is boiling. Then I turn the microwave off, and set the covered bowl of dough in the microwave next to the cup of water. The microwave will retain the heat from the boiling water for hours, keeping your dough nice and warm.
2. Near a Radiator/Heater
In my old apartment, we had a desk in one of our rooms that sat right in front of a radiator. In the winter, the radiator would keep your feet pleasantly warm if you were sitting at that desk. It was great! I would also place my bowl of dough on the desk chair in the winter to provide it with some warmth! You can let your dough rise near a heater or radiator too. Just make sure it’s not so close that it overheats the dough and starts baking it!
3. In Your Bathroom
I know it sounds weird, but the bathroom can actually be a great place to let your dough rise (as long as you cover it up with an airtight seal). Check the ambient temperature of your bathroom and you might be surprised to find that it’s five or ten degrees warmer than the rest of your house, especially if your bathroom has a radiator heating up the small space. Just cover up your dough securely with a lid or plastic wrap and let it proof away in the bathroom.
4. In Your Garage
Some garages maintain a warmer temperature than the houses they are attached to. If yours is like this, the garage may be the perfect warm spot to let your dough rise. Place your bowl of dough on top of a table or bench in your closed garage and let it proof.
5. In a Turned Off Oven
The turned off oven is the classic warm spot for letting your dough rise at home. Simple turn the light on in the oven and let your dough proof on the middle rack. The light from the bulb will keep the oven warm while the dough is rising, and it will also keep the bread free from drafts, which is essential. The danger here is that you’ll forget where your dough is and accidentally start preheating the oven with the dough inside, so make sure that doesn’t happen.
6. In the Car
On a warm day, the inside of your car can be the perfect warm spot to let your dough rise. Pop your bowl of dough into an empty seat, cover it up, and let it rise. Just don’t forget it out there!
7. Next to a Window
When the sunlight is shining through a window in your house, that can become a great place to let your dough rise. As long as the window is closed (to avoid drafts), you can place your covered bowl of dough next to a sunny window to rise.
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Baker of Seville Bread Lame
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Non-Stick Bread Pan
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8. On Your Kitchen Counter
As a general rule, your kitchen counter is a great place to let your dough rise. Since dough rises very well at room temperature, there’s no reason not to leave it on the counter. I tend to choose a different place, however, during the colder months of the year when my kitchen is too chilly.
9. On Top of the Fridge
The top of the fridge is a common warm spot where you can let your dough rise. Many people swear by this spot! Personally, the top of my refrigerator is too cluttered to fit a bowl of dough, but if it works for you, give it a try!
10. On Top of the Oven
If you’re oven happens to be on, putting your dough on the stovetop can be a great warm spot to let your dough rise. Even if the oven was previously on, it will still retain and radiate a little bit of heat, creating a warm place on top of the oven. So, put your bowl of dough there to help it rise faster! Be very careful with the heat if you choose this spot. Some ovens will put out too much hot air near the rear burners that can start cooking your dough. So, test the temperature first to make sure it’s not too hot before letting your dough proof on top of the oven.
11. On a Heating Pad
A great warm spot to let your dough rise is on top of a heating pad. Place your covered bowl of dough on top of a heating pad on its lowest setting. The dough will proof away and rise faster than if left at room temperature. Yeasts will begin to die at temperatures above 120°F, according to Bob’s Red Mill. So, make sure to use the low setting on your heating pad, which should be somewhere between 100°F-110°F.
12. Under a Lamp
Lamps put out just the right amount of heat to warm up a concentrated area, but they don’t usually get too hot. It’s the perfect place to let your dough proof. Turn on your favorite lamp and let your dough rise in a covered bowl underneath it.
13. In Your Sun Room
If you happen to have a sun room in your house, this can be a great spot to let your dough rise. When the sun is coming through the windows and heating up the room, place your bowl of dough on a table next to a window and let it rise.
14. Near a Fireplace
Fireplaces can obviously get extremely hot, so you’ll want to be careful with this one, but you can certainly let your dough rise next to a fireplace with some precaution. Use your best judgement here and place the dough far enough away so that gets warm without approaching 120°F or higher.
15. On Top of A Bowl of Hot Water
Heat up a bowl of water and put a plate on top of that bowl. Then, place your covered bowl of dough on top of the plate. The heat from the hot water will go upwards, warm up your dough, and help it to rise faster.
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I hope that helps give you a few ideas for warm spots in your house where your dough can rise. My personal favorite spots are on top of the oven and inside of the microwave. If you’re interested in learning to make your own sourdough bread at home, make sure you check out the Grant Bakes YouTube channel. I’ve got plenty of videos that you won’t want to miss.
