Temperature × recipe

Spelt Hearth Loaf at 5862°F

Adjusted timing: 7.6h bulk + 15.3h proof (multiplier 2.55×).

Baseline bulk (76°F)
3h
Adjusted bulk
7.6h
Baseline proof
6h
Adjusted proof
15.3h
Multiplier
2.55×
Activity
sluggish
Target hydration
70%
Bake temp
450°F

Why the timing shifts

Cold kitchen territory — cellars, garages, unheated rooms. Ferment time is 2.5× longer than baseline 76°F. Excellent for flavor development when you have the patience. If your kitchen runs this cold naturally, either move dough to a warmer spot or extend bulk and proof times dramatically. Consider using 20-25% levain instead of 15-20% to compensate for slow activity.

Technique for Spelt Hearth Loaf

Short autolyse (20 min). 2-3 GENTLE stretch-and-folds (spelt gluten tears easily). 3h bulk. Shape carefully, floured banneton, 6h cold retard. Bake in dutch oven 450°F: 20 min lid on, 18 min off.

Calculator pre-set to these values

Multiplier at 60°F
2.55×
Adjusted bulk ferment
7.7 h
Adjusted final proof
15.3 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.

Sources: Myhrvold, Modernist Bread vol 3 (temperature multipliers); Peter Reinhart — Whole Grain Breads, Spelt chapter.