Proofer

A proofer for conditioning dough, comprising:

• an enclosure defining a chamber configured to receive dough;
• a fluid reservoir;
• a fan configured to circulate air and humidify air in said chamber with fluid from said fluid reservoir;
• a heating element configured to heat fluid in said fluid reservoir;
• a cooling element configured to cool fluid in said fluid reservoir;
• and
• a controller operably connected to said fan and to said cooling element, said controller selectively actuating said heating element and said cooling element to alleviate fluctuations in the humidity level of air in said chamber.

A proofer for conditioning dough, comprising:

• an outer housing defining upper and lower horizontal walls, opposite vertical sidewalls, a rear wall, and a front side having an enlarged access opening, said outer housing having first and second vent openings allowing air to flow between said intermediate space and outside said outer housing;
• an inner enclosure positioned with said housing and defining a chamber, said chamber defining horizontal upper and lower sidewalls and opposite vertical sidewalls, said inner enclosure spaced inwardly from said outer housing to define an intermediate space, said chamber configured to receive dough for conditioning, said enclosure having an inner opening generally aligned with said enlarged access opening;
• a door movably mounted to said housing for closing off said access opening;
• an air circulation system including a vertical passageway having an air inlet connected to said chamber, and an air outlet connected to said chamber;
• a first heating element in said passageway that heats air in said passageway;
• a first fan adapted to pull air into said air inlet and expel air from said outlet;
• a fluid reservoir in said lower sidewall of said enclosure adjacent said outlet of said air circulation system, said reservoir positioned such that air flows over fluid in said reservoir upon actuation of said first fan and flows into said chamber, said fluid reservoir having an outer portion facing said intermediate space;
• a second heating element configured to heat fluid in said fluid reservoir;
• a second fan configured to draw air through said first vent opening into said intermediate space and blow air over said outer portion of said fluid reservoir and out through said second vent opening;
• and
• a controller operably connected to said first and second fans and to said first and second heating elements, said controller configured to turn off said second heating element and turn on said second fan when the humidity in said chamber reaches a selected level.