What equipment do I need to make sourdough?

What do I need to make Sourdough? – Essential Sourdough Baking Equipment

Starting with sourdough doesn’t have to be complicated. Begin with the basics, and as you gain confidence, explore the optional upgrades.
Whether you’re using a tea towel and colander or a Brot & Taylor proofer, the joy of sourdough lies in the process—and, of course, the bread.

This is your starter kit—the tools you’ll truly need to bake sourdough at home:

1. A Fridge: For retarded (cold-proofed) loaves, a fridge is invaluable. Slowing down fermentation enhances the flavour and texture of your bread.
2. A Pot with a Lid (for your starter): Avoid glass jars, especially airtight ones, as they don’t allow your starter to breathe. Opt for a simple pot with a loose lid, and ideally have two to alternate between cleanings.
3. Digital Scales: Precision matters in sourdough baking, and scales ensure accurate measurements every time.
4. Wooden Spoon (or your hands): While a spoon works for mixing, your hands are the best tools for truly connecting with your dough.
5. Tea Towels: Indispensable! Use a damp tea towel to cover your dough during autolyse or bulk fermentation to prevent drying out.
6. Large Mixing Bowl: Mixing your dough on the table is possible but messy. A large bowl simplifies the process.
7. Dough Scraper: Essential for mixing, folding, and dividing your dough cleanly.
8. Lined Bannetons (or DIY alternatives): Proper bannetons are ideal, but you can use colanders or bowls lined with well-floured tea towels for an inexpensive alternative.
9. Baking Dome or Dutch Oven: These are crucial for trapping steam and ensuring even baking. A covered oven-safe pot works too.
10. Cooling Rack: Avoid a soggy crust by letting your bread cool properly on a rack.
11. Breadboard & Robust Bread Knife: A good cutting board and knife make slicing your bread a pleasure.

Optional (But Wonderful) Sourdough Tools

While you can bake sourdough without these, they make the process more efficient or enjoyable:

• Balloon Whisk: Perfect for aerating your starter, but not a must-have.
• Lame (for scoring): This sharp tool creates professional-looking slashes on your bread. A sharp knife works in the meantime.
• Bread Bag or Pillowcase: Keeps your bread fresh and prevents it from drying out.
• The Brot & Taylor Proofer: Highly recommended for maintaining dough development temperature (DDT), especially in colder kitchens. Alternatives: Use a seed propagator or your oven light for gentle warmth.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives (As Discussed in the Video)

You don’t need all the bells and whistles to bake sourdough. Here’s how to get started with minimal expense:

• Use colanders with floured tea towels instead of bannetons.
• A large oven-safe pot with a lid doubles as a Dutch oven.
• Repurpose your oven rack as a cooling rack.

What’s the one piece of sourdough equipment you couldn’t live without—or your favourite hack for baking on a budget? Share your tips below!

 

 

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