I love baking whole wheat ciabatta bread but have not been able to get a crusty crust. I tried throwing ice cubes in a pan under the baking stone just before closing the oven door but still no crusty crust. One method I used that did provide a HARD crust was putting a large pan in the oven and heating it to 450 and after a while I dumped the dough in it, covered it and baked 30 min I think then took the top off and cooked another 15 min. The crust was hard as a brick. I have a gas stove so does that make a difference? What would cause a crusty crust from putting hot water in a pan under the stone cause? I get really pretty ciabatta with holes and a nice texture but I want a crisp crust. Help! DLM Save that ice cube/water method for another type of bread! To get the crispy ciabatta crust, once the bread is baked - turn the oven off, place ciabatta on the oven's middle rack, crack the door open about 2", and allow ciabatta to cool completely in the turned-off oven. Happy Baking! Irene@KAF

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