Steam is the secret to a loaf with a crispy, brown crust, tender crumb and full volume, but it can be a challenge to maintain a good steam level in a home oven, since they’re designed to decrease moisture.
And using other equipment like baking stones and steels require even more elaborate workarounds to create steam. Dutch ovens are a better option, but still let too much steam leak out. But the Challenger’s heavy lid makes an airtight seal to trap steam and moisture inside during the initial baking stage to help your dough rise. And the domed shape leaves room for more steam to generate, too.