Wood Pulp Bannetons

Made in USA

Igor Dernov

Founder & Lead Instructor, Sherwood Bread

“The first thing I noticed was how much better the dough held its shape during proofing, especially in the summer when my kitchen runs warm. But over time, I realized the biggest benefit wasn’t the basket itself—it was the bread. Better structure, easier scoring, improved oven spring, and a more open crumb.”

“After using wood pulp bannetons for a while, I started replacing my old rattan baskets one by one. Today, they’re the only bannetons we use at Sherwood Bread.”

Zinala has become part of how we teach

“One of the things I appreciate most as an instructor is that wood pulp bannetons benefit every level of baker. Beginners gain confidence because the dough is easier to handle, while experienced bakers appreciate the consistency from loaf to loaf. Over hundreds of classes, I’ve seen how small improvements in the proofing process can make a big difference in the final loaf.”

“I’m also happy to support a U.S. manufacturer that listens to feedback and continues to improve its products. Zinala has become part of how we teach, and I recommend their wood pulp bannetons to my students because I genuinely believe they’ll help them bake better bread.”

Igor Dernov holding freshly baked sourdough loaves
Igor Dernov · Sherwood Bread, Albuquerque, NM

Igor Dernov is the founder and lead instructor at Sherwood Bread, a hands-on baking school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His passion for bread led him to build a wood-fired brick oven by hand, which became the foundation for Sherwood Bread. Today, Igor teaches sourdough, flatbread, baguette, pizza, and other artisan baking classes, helping students gain the confidence to bake exceptional bread at home.

Meet the Makers

The Story of Zinala

We sat down with Food52 to share our story.

Why Choose Wood Pulp Bannetons

Wood Pulp vs. Rattan Bannetons

Why wood pulp performs better

Attribute
Wood pulp
Rattan

Moisture Absorption

Superior wicking

Effectively captures moisture for crispier crust and improved shape-retention

Moderate

Retains surface moisture, can soften the crust

Dough Release

Naturally Non-stick

Easy dough release with only a light flouring

Poor

Dough regularly sticks to liner even with careful prep

Oven Spring

Maximized rise

Improved moisture wicking improves gas retention, crumb, and oven-spring

Inconsistent

Excess surface moisture can limit oven spring and crumb development

Antimicrobial

Naturally resistant

Our formula naturally prevents bacteria buildup

Mold risk

Allows for excessive flour build-up that harbors moisture and often leads to molding

Environmental Impact

Sustainable

Recyclable and made from renewable Maple wood pulp (virgin offcuts from the paper industry)

Harvest Pressure

Sourcing strains slow-growing rattan ecosystems and can't be recycled

Shape Retention

Maintains Profile

Holds shape for longer, increasing the scoring window and improving the loaf's final shape

Variable

Dough loses shape quicker, complicating scoring and oven transfer

Care & Maintenance

Easy to Clean

Flour build-up stays on the surface for easy scraping and cleaning

Difficult

Flour sits deep within the liner, requiring a careful cleaning regime

How We Work

Why use a Banneton?

Why use a Banneton?

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How to bake with a banneton?

How to bake with a banneton?

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Proof That We Can Proof

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