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Bulk fermentation

Bulk fermentation coach.

A practical explanation of Lievanto's bulk fermentation check-ins: volume increase, dough feel, temperature, and readiness estimates.

%

volume increase

3

dough cues per check-in

°C

temperature logged

Bulk is not just a timer.

A four-hour bulk can be underproofed in a cold kitchen and overproofed in a warm one. Lievanto treats the clock as one input, then asks for dough cues.

  • Volume increase gives the broad progress signal.
  • Jiggle and bubbles show gas production.
  • Poke feel and dough strength show whether the structure can hold.

What a check-in records.

A bulk check-in captures the current temperature, volume increase, dough feel, and notes. The app then updates the readiness estimate instead of leaving you with a static recipe time.

Why this matters for sourdough.

Starter activity changes from bake to bake. A bulk coach helps you compare today's dough to the last one without pretending every kitchen behaves the same.

Read the bulk fermentation guide
FAQ

Common questions.

What percentage rise should sourdough bulk reach?

It depends on flour, dough temperature, starter strength, and shaping plan. Many formulas target a partial rise rather than a full double. Lievanto records your target and your actual check-ins.

Does the coach replace experience?

No. It gives structure to the observations experienced bakers already make, so you can repeat what worked.