A retarder prover is a specialised piece of bakery equipment that combines the functions of retarding (slowing down) dough fermentation through refrigeration and then proving (activating) the dough by providing controlled warmth and humidity. This allows bakers to manage their production schedules more flexibly, preparing dough in advance and timing its fermentation to coincide with baking schedules. The benefits include improved workflow efficiency, consistent product quality, and the ability to produce fresh bread and pastries on demand.