These baskets are made with natural, not treated, willow shoot. They are popular in Germany for rye bread but work very well for artisan bread with high level of water and long fermentation. The baskets help absorbing excess moisture from the dough and prevent sticking. They also provide additional support to the shaped loaf during its final proof. They can be used for overnight fermentation or same day proof. The coils also create a nice pattern on the crust. By absorbing the excess moisture during the fermentation, the baskets help giving a crispy crust and nice scoring. Maintenance requires letting the baskets dry out after usage and removing excess flour with a brush.