Temperature × recipe
Focaccia at 88–95°F
Adjusted timing: 1.2h bulk + 0.6h proof (multiplier 0.39×).
- Baseline bulk (76°F)
- 3h
- Adjusted bulk
- 1.2h
- Baseline proof
- 1.5h
- Adjusted proof
- 0.6h
- Multiplier
- 0.39×
- Activity
- extreme-mold-risk
- Target hydration
- 80%
- Bake temp
- 450°F
Why the timing shifts
Very hot — avoid. Mold risk rises sharply above 85°F. Fermentation outpaces structural development. Levain becomes unbalanced toward lactic acid producers, creating cloying sour flavor. Only use briefly for refreshing starters or if absolutely unavoidable. Move dough to cooler location, or skip this bake and wait for cooler conditions. If baking must happen, reduce levain to 8%, bulk 90 min max, get into refrigerator immediately after shaping.
Technique for Focaccia
Mix everything at once (no autolyse). 3-4 stretch-and-folds. 3h bulk at 76°F. Heavily oil a quarter-sheet pan (at least 3 tbsp olive oil). Transfer dough, gently stretch to fill pan. Proof 90 min. Dimple with oiled fingertips to create deep wells. Drizzle olive oil over, sprinkle flaky salt. Bake at 450°F for 22-25 min until golden brown on top and bottom.
Calculator pre-set to these values
- Multiplier at 92°F
- 0.39×
- Adjusted bulk ferment
- 1.2 h
- Adjusted final proof
- 0.6 h
How the math works
Multipliers are piecewise-linear interpolations between reference points measured by Myhrvold et al. in Modernist Bread vol 3. 76°F is the baseline (1.0×); every 10°F drop roughly doubles fermentation time, and every 10°F rise roughly halves it.