Dough proofing apparatus and related methods

A dough proofing apparatus, comprising:

• a chamber for holding dough during proofing operations, at least one chamber panel partially defining the chamber and having a plurality of openings distributed thereon;
• at least one intermediate panel located behind the chamber panel and defining an area for receiving air passing through the plurality of openings in the chamber panel, the intermediate panel having at least one opening located therein;
• a blower associated with the intermediate panel opening, wherein operation of the blower causes air to flow through the intermediate panel opening out of the area between the intermediate panel and the chamber panel to create a reduced pressure condition in the area between the intermediate panel and the chamber panel causing air to flow from the chamber through the chamber panel openings;
• a heating element located to have air moved by the blower pass thereby;
• a source of water for increasing humidity;
• and
• at least one air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to the chamber.

A method for proofing dough, comprising:

• providing a dough proofing apparatus having a chamber for holding dough, a chamber panel including a plurality of openings distributed thereon, the openings located along at least a mid-section of a height of the chamber, a heating element located outside the chamber, an upper air flow path from the heating element back to the chamber and a lower air flow path from the heating element back to the chamber;
• placing dough within the chamber;
• operating at least one blower to cause air flow from the proofer chamber, through the chamber panel openings, over the heating element and back to the chamber along both the upper air flow path and the lower air flow path;
• controlling a heat output by the heating element and controlling a source of water to produce a temperature condition and humidity condition within the chamber suitable for proofing dough.

A method for proofing dough, comprising:

• providing a dough proofing apparatus having a chamber for holding dough, a chamber panel including a plurality of openings distributed thereon, an intermediate panel adjacent a backside of the chamber panel to form an area for receiving air passing through the openings from the chamber, an intermediate panel air flow path leading from the area and including at least one associated blower, a heating element located outside the chamber, at least one return air flow path in communication with the intermediate panel air flow path and leading back to the chamber;
• placing dough within the chamber;
• operating the blower to cause air flow along the intermediate panel air flow path and to the return path to create a reduced pressure condition in the area between the intermediate panel and the chamber panel, the reduced pressure condition causing air flow from the proofer chamber, through the chamber panel openings into the area between the intermediate panel and the chamber panel;
• controlling a heat output by the heating element and controlling a source of water to produce a temperature condition and humidity condition within the chamber suitable for proofing dough.

A modular wall unit for use in constructing dough proofers of various sizes, the modular wall unit comprising:

• an insulated wall;
• a first panel mounted to the insulated wall forming a space between the insulated wall and the panel, the first panel including a plurality of openings thereon;
• a heating element mounted on a side of the insulated wall within the space;
• an intermediate panel mounted between the first panel and the insulated wall and separating the heating element from the first panel, at least one opening located in the intermediate panel;
• a blower aligned with the intermediate panel opening.

A dough proofing apparatus, comprising:

• a chamber for holding dough during proofing operations and having a door for accessing the chamber, at least one chamber panel partially defining the chamber and having a plurality of openings distributed thereon, the openings located along at least a mid-section of a height of the chamber;
• a heating element comprising a heating plate, the heating element located outside the chamber and in flow communication with the plurality of openings;
• a source of water for increasing humidity;
• an upper air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to an upper part of the chamber;
• a lower air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to a lower part of the chamber;
• and
• at least one blower for causing air to flow through the chamber panel openings, past the heating element and along both the upper air flow path and the lower air flow path back to the chamber.

A dough proofing apparatus, comprising:

• a chamber for holding dough during proofing operations and having a door for accessing the chamber, at least one chamber panel partially defining the chamber and having a plurality of openings distributed thereon, the openings located along at least a mid-section of a height of the chamber;
• a heating element located outside the chamber and in flow communication with the plurality of openings;
• a source of water for increasing humidity;
• an upper air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to an upper part of the chamber;
• a lower air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to a lower part of the chamber;
• and
• at least one blower for causing air to flow through the chamber panel openings, past the heating element and along both the upper air flow path and the lower air flow path back to the chamber;
• wherein the upper air flow path delivers air into the baking chamber at a location spaced apart laterally from the chamber panel.

A dough proofing apparatus, comprising:

• a chamber for holding dough during proofing operations and having a door for accessing the chamber, at least one chamber panel partially defining the chamber and having a plurality of openings distributed thereon, the openings located along at least a mid-section of a height of the chamber;
• a heating element located outside the chamber and in flow communication with the plurality of openings;
• a source of water for increasing humidity;
• an upper air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to an upper part of the chamber;
• a lower air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to a lower part of the chamber;
• at least one blower for causing air to flow through the chamber panel openings, past the heating element and along both the upper air flow path and the lower air flow path back to the chamber;
• and
• a controller for controlling the heating element to produce a temperature condition and humidity condition within the chamber suitable for proofing dough;
• wherein the temperature condition comprises a temperature in the range of 65° F. to 115° F. and the humidity condition comprises a relative humidity of at least 25%.