Saint Germain Bakery (10 x 6 x 4 inch) Premium Oval Banneton Basket with Liner - Perfect Brotform Proofing Basket for Making Beautiful Bread

This brand Banneton Basket is taller, wider and longer than other brands claiming to be the same size. The other brands are 5 3/4" wide this one is 6 1/4" wide, others are 3" deep, this one is over 3 3/4" deep, length is 10 1/8" compared to the others that are just 10". Depth & width are important especially if you are making a 500-600 gram flour weight loaf @ 75-80% hydration 20% starter, 2% salt. Construction is excellent as Banneton shape is more difficult to build than rounds, no large gaps, very flat and even bottom and sides, staples/metal fastening devices are neatly recessed, no sharp protrusions. Fit and finish is excellent - linen cover is sized and cut perfectly as a liner or cover. There is a bit of a chemical smell when opened - but if left out of airtight plastic wrapping for an hour or so it disappears - Ithink it is just part of the manufacturing process, nothing to be concerned with but if it really bothers you just rinse basket and linen in warm water and let both air dry - I let it dry as I was heating oven for a bake (on top of stovetop - MAKE SURE ANYTIME YOU WASH and DRY the LINEN that you have it attached to Banneton - I attach to Banneton using the built in elastic band and pull it up like a cover to air dry it so it keeps its shape - otherwise it may shrink as it is a natural product. After I "Rice Floured" the basket and linen - first time using it (I did not wet the basket or linen as I needed them right away) - between the fresh air time out of the packaging plastic bag and the rice flour coating (I changed the rice flour before putting dough in banneton just in case) all the odor was completely gone. The loaf after 24 hours of cold retard in banneton, came out perfect (better than the one in my older smaller banneton). Storage: I always Dry on stovetop, brush all old flour off and reapply a light coat of rice flour before storing all my rounds and ovals baskets/linens in an airtight zip lock bag before storing - I will rinse any linens that have caked on flour if brushing doesn't work but again must be completely dry & dusted to prevent mold. Great product at a very fair price - fast delivery (24-48 hours). Chris

So much for premium, looks like cheaply made banneton, with cracks and wood splinters all over. Liner is also very dirty.

This is a very nice basket for your sour dough. And the liner is easy to dust with flour and it keeps the dough from sticking.

I love how sturdy this banneton is for proofing! Looks beautiful, and shape retention is good because of how sturdy it was made. Easy to use and works well for loaf style bread. Very easy to clean. I have been using disposable shower caps to line it so cleanup is a breeze.

It’s great, works very well, wish the also made beeswax bread storage bags.