Coil fold
A gentle, gravity-assisted folding method that strengthens dough while preserving more of its trapped fermentation gas than a standard fold.
Skill level: intermediate
Purpose
A gentler variant of stretch and fold that better preserves gas already trapped in the dough
Method
Lift the centre of the dough, letting the ends fold underneath by gravity, then rotate and repeat
When to use it
- Naturally leavened or long-fermented doughs where gas retention matters more
Risks
- Minimal; it is one of the gentlest strengthening techniques available
Alternatives
- Standard stretch and fold, if a slightly firmer strengthening effect is wanted