The Art and Science of Baking Sourdough to Support Health

It’s about more than bread—it’s about baking with purpose, a delicious stand for the world we want. Baking long, slow-fermented bread is a quiet, beautiful resistance to the globalisation of our bread. Crafting artisan loaves with ingredients to bring our communities together is activism that supports mental well-being and nourishes those we love.

Learn more from Baker, Dr Vanessa Kimbell, as she inspires a slower, more nourishing approach to baking, with thoughtful recipes, nutritional insights, and artisan knowledge that will transform the way you bake, eat, and share bread.

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spun iron cloche

Spun Iron Cloche

£119.99

A beautifully handmade spun black iron cloche made in Shropshire. Sitting on a 12″ rimmed base, the dome is complete with cast-iron knob and brass rivets.

Designed by: Vanessa Kimbell

Developed and made by: Netherton Foundry

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A beautifully crafted British made hand-spun black iron cloche, with brass rivets and cast iron knob on the top, sitting on a 12″ rimmed baking tray, which can be used separately.

When I moved house in 2011, my bread suddenly stopped rising. I’d always worked in bakeries with commercial ovens and had a steam setting on my home oven. I hadn’t fully appreciated the impact of the steam setting in my old oven, and I was frustrated at the bread in my new oven having very little spring.  Another baker suggested that I use a clay cloche. I’ll admit that I was sceptical, but I hadn’t realised that most domestic ovens are less than ideal when it comes to a beautiful loaf with maximum oven spring, even with a tray of water.

It was 2015 and I remember an acute sense of frustration as yet my 3rd clay cloche broke in the oven at exactly the wrong moment, so I began experimenting with a local blacksmith. The lodge pan was too small and I had burnt myself on a high sided casserole pot. When I looked for a company who could realise my ideas to manufacture, I met the wonderful Sue and Neil and they really brought this idea to life. They make amazing pots and pans and are an artisan manufacturer .

I love them.

Why it works

What baking dough needs is immediate, even heat and steam. The heat provides the rise and the steam keeps the crust soft throughout the time it is rising. The result is bread that reaches its full potential giving an evenly baked, golden open crumbed sourdough. The perfect way to achieve this is with my Spun Iron Cloche.

  • The Spun Iron Cloche is PTFE free
  • Pre-seasoned organic British grown flax oil for a natural non-stick finish.
  • It is strong and light will bake the perfect golden loaf.
  • Made with 99.1% pure iron bell and a tray with brass rivets.
  • Perfect for range stoves, electric, gas & wood fired ovens.
  • Can be used in very hot ovens, safe up to at least 300ºC (572F).

Dimensions

The total height including the knob is 19cm (7.5″). The internal height is 16cm (6.25″) and the diameter is 31cm (12.25″). The lip on the base is 2cm (0.75″) and the total weight is  1.77kg (3lb 14oz).

Learn to bake sourdough online – join our Sourdough Club

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Using for the first time.

You can use the Spun Iron Cloche immediately.

Just rinse in hot water – don’t use soap or detergent and dry thoroughly.

Re-seasoning at home.
This is easy to do and quickly returns your cloche to a smooth, black, easy to clean finish. Important, if the tin has any rust spots simply remove these with fine sand paper or steel wool. Wash tin in very hot soapy water, you may need to scrub with a scouring pad or stiff brush and dry thoroughly. Cover all surfaces of the cloche with a very thin coating of flax oil using kitchen towel. A thin coating gives best results. Place cloche in the oven. Place a baking tray under the cloche to catch any dripping oil. Heat oven to MAX (approx 250ºC/400F,  Gas Mark 8). Once the oven is up to temperature, maintain for one hour. Then switch off the oven, allow the tin to cool slowly and store in an airy dry place.

Which oils can I use for re-seasoning?
For best results use flax oil (edible linseed oil). Olive and nut oils are not effective seasoning oils.

Do not use boiled linseed oil, this is not edible.

Baking every day
To get bread loaves to release perfectly every time we recommend giving the inside of the Spun Iron Cloche a very thin wipe of olive oil just before use and I often use a sprinkle of semolina.

Sweet breads & Cheese Sourdough
Additional care is required when you cook recipes containing sugar (eg sweet sourdough, sourdough with inclusions such as cheese fruit breads). To prevent bread from sticking, we recommend lining the loaf tin with baking parchment, butter papers or using a tin liner.

Cleaning the pre-seasoned Spun Iron Cloche
After most baking uses your cloche will not require washing, just dust off, this preserves the seasoning.

If you do need to wash, never clean the cloche in in a dish washer.

Don’t ever place a hot iron tin into very cold water, this will cause it to warp!

After use, clean the base of the cloche tin with a stiff natural bristle brush and hot water. Do not use soap & definitely do not ever use detergents.

If you find that some mixture has stuck, try boiling some water in the tin to soften it. Dry immediately. Never allow the iron  tin to stand damp or wet as this will encourage rusting.

Storing the Spun Iron Cloche.
Store in a dry airy place. Don’t cover as this can trap moisture and encourage rust.

Warning

Also remember, a hot iron retains heat, so always pick up the cloche using oven gloves

Concept & Designed by: Vanessa Kimbell with The Netherton Foundry Team

Developed by: Netherton Foundry

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