Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about baker's percentages, formula scaling, production scheduling, and pricing.

Getting Started Questions

Is BenchProof right for you? Learn the basics.

What are baker's percentages and why should I care about them?

Baker's percentages express each ingredient as a percentage of the total flour weight (which is always 100%). This makes recipes scalable and comparable.

Instead of "2 cups flour, 1.5 cups water," you get "100% flour, 75% water" (75% hydration). This system lets you scale any recipe to any size and compare hydrations across different breads.

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Do I need to download anything to use BenchProof?

No! BenchProof runs entirely in your web browser. It works on phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. Just go to benchproof.com and sign up.

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What's the difference between a formula and a production schedule?

A formula is your ingredient list with baker's percentages - the math that makes your bread scalable.

A production schedule adds timing, temperatures, and step-by-step instructions for actually making the bread. It tells you when to start each step so your bread is ready when you want it.

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How much does BenchProof cost?

Free Plan: Up to 3 formulas, basic scaling, and printing.

Professional: $10/month - Unlimited formulas, production schedules, Chrome extension.

Bakery: $20/month - Everything in Professional plus team features and commercial tools.

All paid plans include a 14-day free trial. No credit card required to start.

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What's included in the free plan?

The free plan includes:

  • Up to 3 formulas
  • Basic scaling by dough weight
  • Clean printouts for kitchen use
  • Access on all devices

Perfect for home bakers who want to try baker's percentages or have just a few go-to recipes.

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Can I try before I buy?

Absolutely! Every plan includes a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required to start.

You can explore everything BenchProof offers and decide if it's right for you. Cancel anytime during the trial with no charge.

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How BenchProof Works

Ready to start? Here's how to use BenchProof effectively.

How do I create my first formula?

Getting started is simple:

  1. Click "New Formula" and give it a name
  2. Add ingredients with their weights in grams
  3. BenchProof calculates percentages automatically
  4. Adjust weights or percentages - they stay in sync

You can also start with percentages and let BenchProof calculate the weights for any batch size.

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Can I import my existing recipes from spreadsheets?

Yes! BenchProof can import CSV files with your ingredient lists. Format your CSV with columns for Ingredient and Weight (in grams).

We also have a Chrome extension that converts online recipes automatically - just click the extension icon when viewing a recipe website.

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Can I use BenchProof offline?

Yes! Once you've loaded BenchProof in your browser, you can continue working even without internet. Your changes save locally and sync automatically when you reconnect.

This is perfect for using in the kitchen where WiFi might be spotty, or when working on recipes during your commute.

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How do I scale a recipe that serves 2 people to serve 10?

BenchProof makes scaling effortless:

  1. Open your formula
  2. Click the "Scale" button
  3. Choose your scaling method: by servings, final dough weight, or available ingredients
  4. Enter your target (e.g., "10 servings" or "2000g dough")

BenchProof recalculates all ingredients instantly while maintaining perfect proportions.

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What if my recipe has multiple types of flour?

BenchProof handles this perfectly. All flour weights add up to 100% total, and each flour shows its individual percentage.

For example: 400g bread flour + 100g whole wheat = 500g total flour (100%). The bread flour is 80% and whole wheat is 20% of your flour blend.

This makes it easy to adjust flour ratios while keeping other percentages consistent.

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What's a production schedule and why do I need one?

A production schedule is your baking timeline - it shows exactly when to start each step so your bread is ready when you want it.

Set your target finish time (when bread comes out of the oven), add step durations (mixing, fermentation, proofing, baking), and BenchProof works backward to tell you when to begin.

Perfect for planning overnight fermentation or fitting baking around your work schedule.

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Support & Guarantees

We're here to help you succeed.

What if I'm not satisfied?

If you're not happy within the first 30 days, we'll refund your money completely - no questions asked.

We want you to love BenchProof, not feel trapped by it. Simply email hello@benchproof.com and we'll process your refund within 3-5 business days.

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What if my actual timing is different from the schedule?

Dough doesn't read schedules! Use the timeline as a guide, but trust visual and tactile cues over the clock.

BenchProof makes it easy to adjust timing on the fly - shift steps earlier or later as needed. Temperature, humidity, and starter activity all affect fermentation speed.

The schedule helps you plan, but your senses tell you when the dough is actually ready.

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The math doesn't look right on my formula.

Let's troubleshoot together:

  • Check units: Ensure you're using weights (grams) not volumes (cups)
  • Verify flour total: All flour types should add up correctly
  • Starter hydration: If using sourdough, check your starter's hydration setting
  • Ingredient classification: Make sure flour is marked as flour, not as "other"

Still having issues? Email us at hello@benchproof.com with your formula details and we'll help immediately.

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Can't find what you're looking for?

We're here to help! Let us know what you need and we'll add it to our FAQ.

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