Kitchen

[house_cat]

I've been making sourdough boules with my round LC Dutch oven, with increasing success.  I use a round banneton for shaping them overnight.

However, I would like to buy a batard shaped banneton and I don't know if I can make that shape loaf in a round Dutch oven.  Should I be looking to purchase an oval shape?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[brandiwine]

Congratulations on your bread making success!  The shape of your baker will determine the shape of your loaf.  I have had success using a stoneware baker in an oval if I want that shape.  I also have an oval enamel pot that works great. I hope that helps.

[Sooner]

I believe Emile Henry makes ceramic ones in the shape you want.  I have a round one (like a red ball) that does a fantastic job of baking.  It isn't heavy either.

[gardenman]

As long as your loaf isn't longer than Dutch oven is wide it should bake fine and stay oblong. It'll round out a bit, but no more than if baked on a stone. 

[AuntMame]

There are a couple oval cast-iron Dutch ovens available that can be used for baking oval and long loaves. One is the Golden Spike Oval Roaster from Camp Chef, available for about $100 at Walmart. Alas, it appears to be out-of-stock online everywhere. 

Another is the Challenger Bread Pan, but that's $300. I've read and seen lots of great reviews of that. But again it's $300.