Sourdough Rising Unevenly? Cause and Cure

Short answer: an uneven rise usually means asymmetric shape (one side weaker), basket distortion, or oven hot spots. Symmetry in shaping and basket choice fixes most cases.

What "uneven rise" looks like

Your loaf comes out of the oven with:

• One side noticeably higher than the other
• A slanted top
• An ear on one side, none on the other
• Lopsided crumb (one side denser)

This is a structural issue, not a fermentation issue.

The 4 causes

1. Asymmetric shaping

If your final shape is tighter on one side than the other:

• The tight side has more strength
• The slack side spreads more
• The oven spring goes vertical on the tight side

Fix:

• Rotate the dough 90° during shaping to apply equal tension
• Use both hands evenly
• Shape on a clean, smooth surface

2. Asymmetric scoring

A score that's off-center pulls the rise to one side. The deeper side opens, the other side stays closed.

Fix:

• Score down the center
• Use the same blade pressure throughout
• Score in one decisive motion

3. Oven hot spots

Most home ovens have hot and cold zones. If your loaf is closer to one heating element, that side rises faster initially, then sets and stops.

Fix:

• Rotate the Dutch oven at 20 minutes (when removing the lid)
• Bake on the middle rack, centered front-to-back
• Use an oven thermometer to find your hottest spot

4. Basket distortion

A banneton that's old or uneven can shape your loaf unevenly. The dough takes the basket's shape.

Fix:

• Use a high-quality banneton (rattan or wood pulp)
• Check that the basket sits flat
• Replace if heavily warped

The shaping symmetry check

After shaping:

• Look at the loaf from above (in the basket): is it symmetrical?
• Look from the side: is it the same height all around?
• Touch the top: does it feel evenly tense?

Three yes answers = symmetric shape. Any no = redo the shape.

Score depth and angle

If the score is at 30° on one end and 90° on the other, you'll get an uneven ear. Keep the angle consistent throughout the score.

For a single-cut score:

• Start: 30° angle, 1cm deep
• Middle: same
• End: same

Don't lift the blade or change angle midway.

A symmetry-targeted bake

Recipe (1kg dough):

• 500g bread flour
• 350g water (70%)
• 100g starter
• 10g salt

Method:

• Mix, bulk, fold normally
• Pre-shape into a round
• Rest 30 min
• Final shape: 4-fold envelope, then drag toward you to build tension. Rotate 90°, repeat.
• Place seam-down in basket
• Cold retard 12 hours
• Score one centered cut at 30° angle, even depth
• Bake in centered Dutch oven at 475°F

The result: a symmetrical loaf.

When the basket is the problem

Some bannetons (especially cheap rattan ones) develop high spots and warp over time. The dough sinks into the warped area and rises higher there.

Test: place the basket upside-down on a flat surface. Can you slide a piece of paper under the rim? If yes, the basket is uneven. Replace it or use a clean towel-lined bowl instead.

Loading position matters

When you load the loaf into the Dutch oven:

• Center it
• Avoid sliding (which can deform the loaf)
• Use parchment to lift gently

A loaf that lands off-center bakes unevenly because heat distribution differs.

A consistent shape practice

If your shapes are consistently uneven, practice shaping with a low-stakes dough:

• Make a basic flour-water-yeast dough (no sourdough)
• Shape 6 boules
• Compare them visually
• Identify which feels symmetric in your hands

This tactile practice transfers to sourdough and improves consistency.

When uneven is intentional

Some bakers shape oblong batards intentionally with one ear and one slope. The asymmetry is part of the design.

But if you're aiming for a symmetric boule and not getting one, the cause is in shaping, scoring, basket, or oven — and one of those four fixes will solve it.

A final note on dough memory

Dough remembers how it was shaped. If you fold one side more than the other:

• That side's gluten is more developed
• It rises more in the oven
• The other side stays flat

Always handle dough symmetrically. The rise will follow the shape.