king aurther flour sells dough enhancer that helps whole wheat flour bread rise. you can make it w/: vital wheat gluten, citric acid, and distatic malt powder (i ordered my ingredients from king aur. before i knew where to find it here. it is much cheaper to make it yourself...)
my bread always does better with this!
i think the pan idea is great. if you keep using your current pans you may need to adjust baking temp...
i don't use pans, easier clean-up